Union City Borough holds public hearing on proposed zoning amendment for redemption games

Union City Borough held a public hearing Sept. 16 to present a proposed amendment to Zoning Ordinance No. 1118 that would define and regulate "redemption games," commonly described as games of skill, and add a provision allowing use of accessory structures on adjoining lots.

The hearing was convened at 6:05 p.m. by Councilor Cross at First Global Methodist Church, 42 East High Street. Councilors Cross, Osborn, Steadman and Kerns were recorded as present; Joyce, Winkler and Uber were noted as absent. Solicitor Tim Wachter and Constituent Services Representative Kim Tuszynski were listed among officials in attendance.

According to the hearing notice, the amendment would provide definitions and regulate permitted-use zones for redemption games, add Section 701.04 to address use of accessory structures on adjoining lots, and include standard repealer, severability and effective-date language. The borough framed the hearing as an informational session and an opportunity for public comment on the draft ordinance.

No members of the public attended the hearing, and therefore no public comments were recorded. With no public input, Councilor Steadman moved to adjourn; Councilor Osborn seconded, and the hearing was adjourned at 6:09 p.m. The minutes do not record a formal vote on Ordinance No. 1118 or a scheduled date for further action.

The proposed changes would affect how businesses that operate games of skill are zoned and how accessory structures on neighboring lots are used; the record does not include details about the specific zoning districts affected, implementation timelines, or any enforcement provisions. Those details were not specified in the hearing minutes and would need to be reviewed in the draft ordinance or in future council materials.