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Munhall council adopts zoning change to allow churches and schools to be converted to apartments, reauthorizes fees and trims planning commission
Summary
The council voted to amend the borough's R-2 zoning to permit conversion of churches, schools and similar structures to multi-family housing with a minimum of one off-street parking space per unit, reestablished a schedule of permit fees and approved reducing the planning commission from nine to seven members.
The Munhall Borough Council voted Wednesday to amend the borough's R-2 zoning rules to allow certain existing institutional buildings'including churches, schools and recreational facilities'to be converted to multi-family dwelling units, provided each dwelling unit has at least one off-street parking space.
Council also approved two companion ordinances: a reestablished schedule of fees, costs and charges for permits and licenses, and a reduction in the number of planning commission members from nine to seven, a change council said will occur by attrition rather than by removing current members.
The zoning amendment, introduced by staff after a year of discussion, specifically bars commercial uses in those residential districts; conversions are limited to residential use only, council members said during the public hearing. The ordinance requires one off-street parking space per dwelling unit as a minimum condition for conversions.
Council President Shields led the public hearing and solicited comment before calling for three separate votes. Council members clarified that no present planning commission members would be removed immediately; the reduced membership would take effect as seats become vacant.
Council and staff said the reauthorization of the fee schedule preserves existing permit and licensing charges; any future changes to fees will return to council for public notice and a vote.
The ordinance package addresses a specific concern raised at earlier meetings about the Saint Regis building and other underused institutional properties in residential neighborhoods.
Council members said they expect conversions under the new rule to be subject to normal building, zoning and parking reviews and to require any necessary permits.
The ordinances passed by council vote Wednesday; council did not identify any immediate conversion applications tied to the vote.
Looking forward, the council said implementation will rely on development proposals brought to the borough and reviewed under the revised rules. Staff and council recommended applicants consult with borough code and planning staff to confirm parking and other site-specific requirements.
