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Board backs comprehensive updates to joint municipal zoning ordinance
Summary
The board recommended option three — graphics plus regulatory updates for both definitions and sign rules — to the joint zoning council, citing recent technology changes and the need for clearer sign graphics; the recommendation passed 4–1.
The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors voted 4–1 on April 23 to recommend that the joint zoning council pursue the most comprehensive package of updates to the joint municipal zoning ordinance (JMO), including graphic clarifications and regulatory updates to both the definitions article and the sign regulations.
Supervisor Fischer, who presented the recommendation, said the proposal had been reduced from earlier, more expensive proposals and focused on two articles: Article 2 (definitions) and Article 11 (signs). He told the board the revisions would incorporate recent technological changes — for example, new definitions introduced when the township adopted wireless communications and electric‑vehicle parking regulations — and that clearer graphics would help interpret sign types. “I would prefer option three,” Fischer said, while acknowledging option two was acceptable as a compromise.
The three options presented to the board were: graphics only for both articles (least expensive), graphics for definitions and graphics plus regulatory updates for signs (mid‑level cost), or graphics plus regulatory updates for both articles (most comprehensive). The joint council offered a potential MAP grant that could fund 50% of the township’s share, the presenter said, which could reduce the township’s cost for option three to roughly $1,800 after grant support.
Board members debated whether the revisions should be pursued as part of a broader comprehensive plan, whether the joint council should seek a grant, and how the three‑township decision process would work; the solicitor explained that two of three member municipalities can make a decision but that each municipality would ultimately need to adopt any ordinance by its own ordinance and public hearing.
After discussion the board moved to recommend option three to the joint zoning council; the motion passed 4–1. The board’s recommendation will be conveyed at the next joint meeting, where the two neighboring municipalities (Upper Makefield and Writtstown) may endorse, modify or reject the recommendation.
Next steps: staff will forward the board’s recommendation to the joint zoning council and will report back on the joint meeting outcome and any grant application decisions.
