There's a good reason that the state legislature requires advance legal notices in daily newspapers for public meetings. It's to keep the public informed so they have the option of attending the meetings and voicing their opinions.

The public meeting notices include zoning hearing boards. While local boards are following the law and advertising hearings for such things as variance requests and special exceptions, many have been lax regarding the content of those ads.Just this week, we saw zoning board hearings advertised for Rush Township and Lehighton.In Rush Township, two hearings will be held on Tuesday with the proceedings beginning at 6:30 p.m. One involves a property at Lake Drive and Crescent Drive in Lake Hauto. The other involves a property at 57 Frankford Ave.Nowhere does the notice state what type of variance is requested. It states the numerical reference to the zoning ordinance to which the variance applies, but for most people that's more confusing than helpful.Residents should have the option in advance of knowing if the variance requests are for a change of use to a property, a building addition or a major renovation.Lehighton Zoning Hearing Board has proceedings at 7 p.m. today. It involves property at 160 1/2 N. Sixth St. and involves the size of the lot.The advertisements are too vague. While they comply with the law, they aren't consumer friendly.On the other hand, West Penn Township Zoning Board advertised a hearing for 7 p.m. Nov. 6.The ad states that the hearing is for a property at 44 Deere Lane and the purpose is to have it changed from being a place of worship. The ad also says the parcel is in an agricultural district. Good job on the notice!It's a good thing to keep the public informed as much as possible on any matter that can have an impact on lives or neighborhoods. Zoning variances and special exceptions are important and can impact quality of life, property values and structural appearances.We're not implying that any officials are acting improperly with the vague advertisements. We're only appealing to them to provide the public with more information in advance of making their decisions.This is accomplished with more informative legal notices.Zoning hearings are open to the public. Input from the public is not only permitted, but is sought by the zoning board members to help them make more practical decisions.The public can only provide intelligent input if it is informed on what the zoning matter involves.By RON GOWERrgower@tnonline.com