Union City Borough schedules public hearing on zoning amendment to regulate "redemption games"

Union City Borough will hold a public hearing on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at First Global Methodist Church, 42 East High Street, Union City, to consider an amendment to Zoning Ordinance #1118 that would define and regulate "redemption games," sometimes described in the notice as "games of skill," and add Section 701.04 governing the use of accessory structures on adjoining lots.

"The purpose of the hearing is to provide information and receive public comment on the proposed amendment to Zoning Ordinance #1118," the posted agenda states. The agenda notice also says the amendment package will include standard repealer, severability and effective-date language.

The amendment text described in the notice would (1) add definitions and regulations establishing permitted-use zones for redemption games (identified in the notice as "games of skill") and (2) add Section 701.04 to allow for use of accessory structures on adjoining lots. The notice lists a "hearing of the visitors regarding the amendment to the zoning ordinance," indicating the borough intends to accept public comment at the session.

No motions, votes, speakers' comments, or amendments are recorded in the posted text; the agenda is a public notice of the hearing and does not include staff reports or council deliberations. The hearing is the formal opportunity for residents and stakeholders to offer support, concerns, or suggested changes before any ordinance is formally introduced or acted on by the borough.

The meeting notice gives only the ordinance number and the proposed section (701.04) and does not include draft ordinance language or an explicit list of parcels or businesses affected. Interested parties may attend the Sept. 16 hearing to comment or request copies of the proposed ordinance text from borough offices.