York County planning staff backs broad rural zoning text amendments; commission adds limits on shipping containers and asks council to set minimum acreage for a

The York County Planning Commission recommended approval of a package of text amendments to county zoning code chapters 154 and 155 on June 9, following a multi-hour staff presentation and commissioners’ discussion.

Jonathan Buono, York County planning director, described the effort as large and staff-intensive. “This was a, big project. So at the outset, I just wanted to say thank you to all the staff members that participated in this effort,” Buono said, noting the package grew out of the county’s strategic plan and recurring issues in rezoning hearings.

The commission’s recommendation forwards the draft ordinance and related code edits to county council. The package would: convert the AGC 1 and RUD 1 districts to legacy districts (keeping existing standards but removing them as options for new rezonings); revise the family-exemption process (including shortening required prior ownership and limiting frequency of exemptions); change several use-table entries for rural districts (adding hunting clubs, landscape supply and small craft breweries as special exceptions in certain districts); reduce arterial frontage minimums; revert an AGC building setback from 100 feet to 50 feet; and change how shipping containers are treated in the code.

Why it matters: the amendments are intended to make the zoning code more consistent and to address recurring problems county staff and council…