Conceptual Drawing of the McMurray Town Center
In December of 2013, the Peters Township Comprehensive Plan( Plan Peters 2022) was adopted as a plan for the future growth of the Township. Plan Peters 2022 is a policy guide— meaning its intention is to create a framework for local land use and capital investment decision over a ten to 20-year timeframe. This plan reflects the input that the Township received from many of its citizens and stakeholders who have expressed how the Township should grow in the years to come.
Plan Peters 2022 uses several guiding principles toward a rational growth strategy including the promotion of unique activity centers, an emphasis on housing choice and diversity, an effort to stay forever green, a focus on building Township character and identity, an increase in transportation choice and walkability, an enhancement of the Municipal Advantage, and an advancement in education and Township services.
To ensure that these enhancements come to fruition within the Township, zoning is used as a key mechanism for achieving a desired land use pattern and quality of development, as advocated in Plan Peters 2022. The proposed new zoning ordinance and zoning map has been rewritten using the Comprehensive Plan as a guide. Each zoning district identifies compatible uses best suited to the character of the area and existing development patterns. New residential zoning districts( CR-MR Overlay) will provide flexibility to promote conservation values and protect open space, woodlands, and prime farmland. Additionally, residential standards and guidelines will provide the opportunity to expand housing choices available within the community— a notion expressed throughout the Plan Peters 2022 planning process.
Commercial zoning districts will integrate mixed uses and unique commercial opportunities appropriate for the Rt. 19 corridor, the Venetia-Hackett area( the Southeast portion of the Township), and the McMurray Town Center. The Town Center( TC), Mixed-Use Activity Centers( MA), and Village Mixed-Use( VM) zoning district provisions will provide opportunities for residents to live, work and play within a vibrant, attractive, and walkable environment. Generally, the Rt. 19 corridor from our border with Upper St. Clair to the Donaldson’ s Crossroads intersection will maintain the existing zoning district. Mixed-Use corridors on Valley Brook and Venetia will remain unchanged.
The proposed update of the zoning map and ordinances will maintain Peters Township as a bedroom community of rural and village character with new, attractive, and walkable commercial uses convenient to its residential neighborhoods. Plan Peters 2022 helps the new Peters Township move forward with optimism and confidence, as we celebrate who and what we are, while providing the tools to build a better tomorrow.
A public hearing on the proposed Zoning Ordinance changes will be held on Monday, July 17, at 7:30 p. m. The location of the meeting will be posted on peterstownship. com.
The proposed Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map are available for review at peterstownship. com. eters Township
PETERS TOWNSHIP NEWS www. peterstownship. com 724.941.4180
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