Lancaster County adopts nine‑month moratorium on new residential subdivision approvals
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Summary
Council approved a nine‑month moratorium on processing or acting on applications for new single‑family and multifamily subdivisions while the Unified Development Ordinance is amended; the pending ordinance doctrine was invoked and staff said the county used vested‑rights standards for exemptions.
Lancaster County Council approved second reading of an ordinance imposing a nine‑month moratorium on the acceptance, review or action on applications that would authorize new single‑family subdivisions or new multifamily residential developments. The moratorium is intended to preserve the county's current regulatory environment while staff and council consider amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).
Staff told council that the legal advertisement, including a map and the text necessary to invoke the pending ordinance doctrine, was published in compliance with statutory notice requirements. The pending ordinance doctrine, as explained during the meeting, treats the ordinance as though it were effective as of the date of the prior council meeting for purposes of vested‑rights determinations; council noted that final enactment requires second and third readings.
Council members discussed the use of vested rights as the standard for exemptions and the concern raised by property owners about potential effects on projects in process. Staff and counsel said the vested‑rights standard is commonly used by other counties and aligns with state law and local development ordinances; formal, individual exemptions would create uneven treatment and were discouraged.
Council approved the ordinance unanimously on second reading and will consider subsequent readings as required for enactment and final effect.
Evidence: Staff presentation on legal notices and the pending ordinance doctrine, council questions about notification and the application of vested rights.
