Council trims planning work plan, authorizes up to $25,000 for Title 15 consultant

The Uniontown City Council on March 9 amended and approved the 2026 Planning Commission and Community Development work plan. The council removed a proposed review of building heights in the R-4 and HCB zoning districts after committee members said the issue had been debated at length and should not be reopened.

Councilmember McClure explained the committee’s reasoning, saying the committee agreed not to proceed with reopening the building-height discussion because it would consume staff time and revisit prior decisions. After debate the council passed the amendment by voice vote.

After approving the work plan as amended, council authorized the administration to contract with an outside consultant not to exceed $25,000 to assist with Title 15 amendments needed to comply with state law (including changes responding to recent state legislation). Councilmember Clark made the motion and members voted to approve the expenditure.

Director of Planning Chris Besany summarized the full work plan that the Planning Commission will address this year, including battery energy storage systems (a moratorium and subcommittee review), co-living regulations required by state law, consolidated permit-process changes tied to House Bill 5290, zoning reviews for instruction and vocational uses, airport setback requests and routine updates such as the six-year Transportation Improvement Program and capital facilities plans the city adopts annually. Besany told the council staff is available to answer questions and will return when more detailed ordinance language is required.

Council members directed staff to proceed with the amended docket and the consultant authorization.