Lancaster County holds hearing to add observatories, passive recreation to zoning

The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners opened a public hearing on July 21, 2026, to consider text amendment 26007, which would expand the county zoning definition of "recreational facilities" to include passive activities such as observatories, nature walks and bird watching and to allow setback or height reductions through the special-permit process.

Anne Post, an attorney with Rumboldt Luedke law firm speaking for the applicant, the Branch Oak Observatory, told commissioners the observatory has provided public star parties and school outreach since 2015 and that the amendment creates a legal pathway for observatory uses in agricultural districts. "This does not yet approve the facility, but it gives that path to approval," Post said, describing the amendment as countywide guidance that preserves the case-by-case review at the special-permit stage.

Matthew Anderson, cofounder and executive director of Branch Oak Observatory, described the site's outreach and educational programming. "We do hold monthly events, star parties, which allow us to highlight particular parts of our community," Anderson said, and he asked the board to allow the planning process to move forward. Eric Hubbell, identifying himself as interim board president for the observatory, voiced support and invited commissioners to visit the site.

Planning staff clarified how the process would work. George Weselhoff of Planning and Development Services said the amendment is a countywide code change that would allow future, site-specific special-permit applications. "Their next application will be a special permit application," Weselhoff said, noting parking, lighting, event size and related impacts would be examined at that hearing.

County staff noted one written letter of opposition from Donald, Patricia and William White; commissioners and staff discussed whether that letter opposed the amendment itself or a possible future special-permit application and concluded the letter appeared focused on potential future permits rather than the text change.

Commissioners thanked proponents for their presentations and closed the public hearing. No final board vote on the text amendment is recorded in the meeting transcript; any specific observatory facility would next come forward under the county's special-permit procedures for site-specific review.