Union City holds brief hearing on proposed zoning changes for redemption games

Union City Borough held a brief public hearing on Sept. 16, 2024, to present and solicit public comment on a proposed amendment to Zoning Ordinance #1118. The hearing was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by Councilor Cross at First Global Methodist Church.

The amendment as presented would add definitions and regulations for permitted-use zones for redemption games, also described in the agenda as "games of skill," and would add section 701.04 to allow use of accessory structures on adjoining lots. The ordinance package also includes standard repealer, severability and effective-date language; the minutes do not specify an exact effective date.

Council records note that Councilors Cross, Osborn, Steadman and Kerns were present; Joyce, Winkler and Uber were absent. Solicitor Tim Wachter and Constituent Services Representative Kim Tuszynski were listed as officials in attendance. The minutes show that no visitors attended to offer public comment during the hearing, so no public testimony was recorded.

A motion "that the public hearing be adjourned" was made by Councilor Steadman and seconded by Councilor Osborn; the hearing was adjourned at 6:09 p.m. There was no recorded debate, vote tally, or formal action on the ordinance itself during this session. The record indicates the hearing was convened for information and public comment only, with no substantive outcome on the ordinance reported in the minutes.

The borough’s next procedural steps are not specified in the minutes excerpt; the ordinance number and proposed additions were recorded on the hearing agenda. Residents or interested parties seeking more information would need to consult borough staff or the full ordinance text for details about the proposed regulatory language, the effective date, and any next meeting at which the council may act.