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Planning commission recommends updated zoning ordinance that adds data centers, short-term rental rules and broader housing options
Summary
The commission recommended that supervisors adopt an updated zoning ordinance that reorganizes use regulations, adds definitions and illustrations, defines data-center and short-term-rental rules, and expands where housing types such as accessory dwellings and multiunit housing may be allowed; commissioners split on preemptive rezoning of a reservoir parcel to a Municipal Complex (MCX) district.
The West Goshen Planning Commission on July 14 voted to recommend adoption of an updated zoning ordinance that reorganizes use regulations to match the comprehensive plan, adds new definitions and illustrations and includes provisions for data centers, short-term rentals and accessory dwelling units.
Staff said the rewrite creates a clearer chart of uses, moves complex applications through the planning and board processes, and adds illustrations to clarify terms. "Everything in red is what was done since the joint meeting," a presenter said, describing edits made after earlier public and committee feedback.
Commissioners discussed where expanded housing types should be permitted. One commissioner said allowing all housing types in all residential districts risks permitting townhouse or multifamily redevelopment in established single-family neighborhoods; staff replied the ordinance allows multiple housing forms only where dimensional and other standards are met.
A notable contested issue was a proposal to change the zoning of a reservoir parcel from R-3 to an MCX (Municipal Complex) district so the township would have the property pre-zoned in case it takes ownership in the future. Some commissioners argued rezoning before township ownership reduced the land's market value or constituted premature action; staff and a board representative said rezoning to MCX preserves the township's future options and prevents immediate vesting rights that could allow development without board review.
After additional clarifying questions on definitions (public sewer/public water, modular homes, sustainability) the commission voted to recommend adoption to the board of supervisors; the meeting record shows the committee vote recorded in the meeting as 8 in favor and either 1 or 2 opposed (transcript contains inconsistent notations of the no votes).
