Lancaster supervisors revise waterfront-overlay rules after months of debate, 3-2

Lancaster County supervisors on Tuesday adopted a revision to Article 18 (the waterfront-overlay W-1) and related definitions, narrowing the overlay so it no longer extends from tidal shorelines up perennial (non-tidal) tributary streams. The motion passed on a 3-2 vote after more than two hours of public comment and board discussion.

Supporters said the change corrects an unintended effect of the 1988 overlay that has prevented ordinary family subdivisions on inland parcels for decades. "People inherited land and cannot divide it among siblings," said public commenter Miss Bill, describing a family parcel she said could not be split under the current W-1 rules. Planning staff told the board the proposed revision would remove roughly 14,000 acres from the existing W-1, leaving about 20,000 acres still subject to the overlay. Staff presented maps showing parcels in Crawford's Corner, Brown's Store and other inland locations…