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Council amends 2026 Planning Commission work plan, approves consultant spending up to $25,000
Summary
Council removed a proposed review of R‑4 and HCB building heights from the 2026 work plan, approved the amended work plan, and authorized administration to contract for outside consultant services not to exceed $25,000 for Title 15 amendments to comply with state law.
On March 9 the Uniontown City Council debated and amended the 2026 Planning Commission and Community Development work plan before approving it as amended and authorizing consultant spending.
Planning director Chris Besany presented a lengthy docket of items for the year, including battery energy storage systems, co‑living regulations required by House Bill 1998, permit processing changes per House Bill 5290, consolidated permits work, zoning reviews, solar array code language, sewer plan amendments and the annual transportation improvement plan. The Planning Commission had carried several items forward from the prior year.
Council member McClure said the CD committee reviewed the docket and proposed two follow‑up motions: (1) remove the building heights review for the R‑4 and HCB zones from the work plan — the committee argued the topic had been debated extensively previously and should not be reopened — and (2) if approved, authorize a consultant to assist with Title 15 amendments to comply with state regulations, with an estimated consultant cost of roughly $15,000 to $25,000.
After council discussion about the building‑height tradeoffs for three‑story residential and hospitality projects, the council voted to remove the R‑4/HCB building‑height review from the work plan. The council then approved the 2026 Planning Commission and Community Development work plan as amended and separately approved an administration authorization not to exceed $25,000 to hire an outside contractor/consultant for Title 15 amendments.
What it means: The council narrowed the planning docket to avoid reopening a previously resolved building‑height debate while dedicating modest consultant funds to ensure code amendments meet state requirements. The consultant authorization is intended to accelerate compliance with state law changes and reduce staff time.
Next steps: staff will proceed with the amended work plan items and, if contracting proceeds, bring consultant scope and contracting documents to the appropriate administrative process for procurement and oversight.
