[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6221644,"mediaKeyId","3611745-515f1c163fafdc425d0e4eccf7705a1e","parentId",3611745,"title","Crafton business group plans directory, mixers and welcome packets as working group continues","audioSeconds",63,"startMs",141000,"endMs",204000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3611745-515f1c163fafdc425d0e4eccf7705a1e&start=141&end=204","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3611745-515f1c163fafdc425d0e4eccf7705a1e/thumbnail_141000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6221644/Crafton/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Crafton-business-group-plans-directory-mixers-and-welcome-packets-as-working-group-continues","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221644-6415f03528214d7c040de823ca887e6b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770724905&Signature=Jmvo-sZ6r8GGw3xFjqnhP9dTyrHKqEB46VpkKEPimos-OOp0-as2twj-PBAp0EEPVXECSinP5XOGeQpXCLfahFSqsskHfxV-QdBKgPpWYymfuZRkqH2o85NAPZTyWLmioGSL3ZjFXwnCd2eoCsP63hDDsTuOJXSv8O3KQ4cSOKCtCFKEE1BJX9xWNwBq4KlnQnBUgs55MsicZJn-uQzjExS9YiAdS460ThQV35K2zPtY9TPKdgFiH7nK0Lk-hY0VghjWPDMuYebyiZueaCQer5G8nyR~Xa4N1KFaxbjOeJG48dqoMuzlV~HEiGvipIasMrWmRqFct9~Qv6A0llkVnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Crafton Borough, PA","date","2025-05-30T17:23:12.827Z","article","The Crafton business-development working group reported progress on several efforts at Tuesday's planning commission meeting, including a business directory launch, window clings to promote shopping local, welcome packets for new businesses and mixers for business and commercial property owners.

AJ (planning commissioner) said the working group held its third meeting and is preparing a six-month agenda that includes these outreach efforts; the group aims to complete the listed activities between now and September. Mandy noted the borough has an intern, Kennedy Short, a master's student who will help the borough with the business-directory launch and other tasks over the summer.

The working group described the initiatives as low-cost, local steps to support business owners and commercial property owners and as complementary to the larger zoning and economic-development efforts already underway. Commission members thanked the group for the work and encouraged continued coordination with the economic director's office.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission - May 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A borough working group reported progress on a business directory, window clings to promote shopping local, welcome packets for new businesses and planned mixers; a borough intern will help with outreach through the summer.","taxTitle","Crafton, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania","taxId",71363,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6221649,"Trails study begins; Clearview Trail closure blamed on downed utility line",131,235000,366000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3611745-515f1c163fafdc425d0e4eccf7705a1e&start=235&end=366","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3611745-515f1c163fafdc425d0e4eccf7705a1e/thumbnail_235000.jpg","/articles/6221649/Crafton/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Trails-study-begins-Clearview-Trail-closure-blamed-on-downed-utility-line","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221649-a8ebfd08addbd70161bb1d22ccf8bb8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770724905&Signature=IWi5u1IuuBDQkPH0eNH1KcH9DQz-RVUNEBenwTO266IrMZMrGck5qmMo0FBE6PoPAxufvRNCdzSnscieXi4qfOqCDwz8cOS61DlMT4dJUWwRMw5RdFy24xNac1ecxMtamS~Y741jwFiksvjbuRbcDG1C4sduC7woWXCt9qMjWeUabyRarQLlMCGqTfdzozQbMxIwFyr7OylW0poHTKdju7WyMtL5RudBbb7j3AbEOJU-hMQbabczrnwIg10oBlnz2g3uV7civ-PbfWxWEsmkanEHcHYkhEu7SIN09ZFVkLNtvQq6a~S9J~~E14UJbqlPmlyQk~UmSpfE-J8OZikwwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Crafton Planning Commission received a trails update on Tuesday: the borough has hired GAI Consulting to prepare a formal trails plan, and the consultant has begun stakeholder outreach and will publish a public survey and host an outreach session later this month.

Jim, speaking for the trails committee, said GAI Consulting has started public outreach and that the committee will print flyers and post QR codes at trailheads to collect input. He said the first public outreach session is scheduled for Monday, June 23, at 6 p.m.

Committee members also reported that Clearview Trail remains closed because Duquesne Light has not yet removed a downed pole and wire. Jim said borough public works cannot remove the pole or wire and that borough staff have contacted the utility through the government liaison; Duquesne Light prioritized larger outages after the storm, and trail infrastructure is lower on their priority list.

Jim said the upper portion of the trail will open once the remaining wire is removed and that staff put notices on Facebook and the borough's Savvy platform. He said staff will continue to press the utility and provide contact records to any resident who asks.

Commissioners described the trails study as an awarded grant-funded project intended to create the borough's first formal trail plan and help implement walkability goals in the Thrive strategic plan. Staff said the work will include stakeholder interviews, focus groups and surveys to inform recommended trail routes and design standards.","The borough's trails committee has engaged GAI Consulting for a trail study and public outreach; the committee said Clearview Trail remains closed because Duquesne Light has not removed a downed pole and wire, and staff will post a public survey and hold outreach sessions this month.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6221654,"Crafton planning panel sets 90-day threshold for transient housing in draft zoning",231,1039000,1270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3611745-515f1c163fafdc425d0e4eccf7705a1e&start=1039&end=1270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3611745-515f1c163fafdc425d0e4eccf7705a1e/thumbnail_1039000.jpg","/articles/6221654/Crafton/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Crafton-planning-panel-sets-90-day-threshold-for-transient-housing-in-draft-zoning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221654-e3413d4a2b711b13163c9aaf8c8ed78d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770724905&Signature=aDo2BqBAFNDo7eHpjBmYLByqo5yV50N86ZJgNveufSl9HUn6WeepP97XjqA5OAqEMMgiIFzIsyYB0ascTcZb8uJpBsCenV-A1wMtxTOnHuEEJEi6FpwfC7rB4CP15knq~uPVKGCc1FzWzUs4w4flivCIHRVqUpPcTt0jpQlaU8ow9Egib7add2kmDRvq~o0lAxTnwb2cNDf1H1jjS~qwrdD1pWXjuxy8BgfFuAb6Ow7juAi6I8TN9ZVUnzr2Dv0VlXlzS5kGUu34-PDWqoCv0KiL0NSrLVBVp3LClqSL4Oi4zhIbxXY9Was5E-58nT7b2vIwLcbIksTJ7KIc33QzOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Crafton Planning Commission on Tuesday voted to define transient housing — short‑term and medium‑term rentals — as stays of 90 days or less in the borough's draft zoning code and to restrict those uses to commercial districts, including the transit-oriented district.

Mandy (planning staff) told the commission that the draft had moved short‑term rentals out of residential districts and into commercial or mixed-use areas and that the remaining question was how to define the time period. She said the commission's recommendation is to treat any rental of 90 days or shorter as transient housing and to regulate it under rules similar to hotels and motels, with a separate registration and inspection ordinance anticipated.

Under the proposed language, transient housing would have to comply with borough regulations including rental registration, noise and property‑maintenance codes, parking requirements and fire‑code occupancy limits. Mandy said the draft previously contained a numerical guest cap that was removed and instead would defer to the applicable fire code. She added that registration and inspection procedures would be addressed in a separate ordinance.

Commissioners asked whether existing bed-and-breakfast operations in residential neighborhoods would be affected. Mandy answered that such uses will be unlawful in residential neighborhoods going forward and that the draft makes them permitted only in commercial districts.

A motion to define transient housing as 90 days or less was moved and seconded and carried on a voice vote of members present. Staff said the revised language and definitions will be incorporated into the working draft and posted online within days.","The commission decided that transient housing (short- and medium-term rentals) will be defined as stays of 90 days or less in the draft zoning code; rentals will be permitted only in commercial/transit-oriented districts and will be subject to registration and applicable codes.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6221659,"Crafton panel recommends tighter rules for mining, advances zoning draft toward council review",305,661000,966000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3611745-515f1c163fafdc425d0e4eccf7705a1e&start=661&end=966","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3611745-515f1c163fafdc425d0e4eccf7705a1e/thumbnail_661000.jpg","/articles/6221659/Crafton/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Crafton-panel-recommends-tighter-rules-for-mining-advances-zoning-draft-toward-council-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221659-0e9ae40490d9a880957cf8697ad70874/orig.mp4?Expires=1770724905&Signature=k8Ue-EyjHQxtkA0tzlRs5Z0eZJwlwtvig3ZhAY347c~aHN1QYGkmC0fAYS2Wjk7SqQgaMqXev~inIbqpsuv-07ojANDupD0M4Tg~Thum9F3oQVnkgmoZ~CQVXG7R6gBLUPPN5iZAID40sTvqqsMdZNm6fiAN2I2Kcjk7zkQ6GFj6vNr5bNMo4w7WRGa52srgpqs2wzy-9zqhljzxFktyYx1nzxgJknZ6KxWS56vSkTNhnLZbo08cDrPAaRIDQaWSLhefNPpTpw5swjL~exgNaSlLsyPi2HFQLCzt8KR4UieDJAcBWZSy6zFjRQ60n~gq-qmeZyvp1N~MQA6WceHA0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Crafton Planning Commission on Tuesday voted to treat mining as a conditional use in the borough's draft zoning code and advanced the larger zoning rewrite for further steps toward borough council review.

The commission's action came after staff and the commission's legal consultant said an advocacy group had alerted the borough to an omission in the draft use table that could have left mining effectively unregulated. Mike Pascoe, the borough economic director, told the commission the draft now contains “two and a half, three pages of very strenuous regulations for mining,” shifting mining from a straight permitted use to conditional use with detailed standards.

The change matters because, as the commission heard, under the current code a property owner who secures a Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) permit can begin mining operations via permitting; the amendment would require an additional borough conditional-use review that includes plans, setbacks, operating timeframes and agreements to address road damage.

Commission staff described key elements of the proposed mining language. Andy (staff member), who summarized the drafting issue, said removing mining from the use table appeared to be an oversight and that the revised approach \"allows for mining, but it is way more restrictive than what is currently allowed in the industrial district by making it a conditional use.\" The proposed standards include minimum site size, a 1,000-foot setback where specified, proof of and continued compliance with any DEP permit, road‑impact agreements, and provisions that could allow the borough to revoke the conditional use after permit violations.

Commissioners asked procedural questions about who had raised the issue and whether the revision exposed the borough to legal challenge if mining had been omitted entirely. Staff answered that leaving mining out entirely could be interpreted as offering no reasonable provision for mining; that could invite challenge under state law. The revised language aims to retain local control while aligning with state permitting.

The motion to adopt the mining language and related edits carried by unanimous vote of members present. Commissioners also reviewed a long list of edits and public requests that staff has incorporated into the draft zoning ordinance, including map refinements (for example, the Grandview Conservancy parcels), uses to be retained or removed, and clarifications about unlawful or nonconforming uses.

Commissioners and staff stressed that the planning commission is recommending the draft to borough council and that the draft is not yet adopted. The next steps described were county review, legal review and at least one formal public hearing after public notice; council would determine whether additional hearings or revisions require the draft to return to the commission.

During public comment several residents urged more education and transparency about the draft and asked for impact analyses on property values, infrastructure, taxes and public services. Nicole Kervin, a resident of South Grandview Avenue, asked the commission to publish analysis tying the zoning changes to a specific implementation plan and requested “accountability measures” including recusal from developers for anyone involved in passing the plan. Commission members responded that financial-disclosure rules and statements of financial interest are part of borough practice and that additional review opportunities will follow as the draft moves to council and county review.

Planning staff said the state provided grant funding for the zoning update and that the borough needs to move the process forward so the grant objectives are met, but they also emphasized multiple future opportunities for public input.","The Crafton Planning Commission reviewed a near-final draft of a broad zoning rewrite, voted to reclassify mining as a conditional use with detailed operating rules, and discussed next steps for maps, public review and council consideration.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Crafton business group plans directory, mixers and welcome packets as working group continues

Trails study begins; Clearview Trail closure blamed on downed utility line

Crafton planning panel sets 90-day threshold for transient housing in draft zoning

Crafton panel recommends tighter rules for mining, advances zoning draft toward council review