Unlike most municipalities, West Penn Township has an overabundance of alternates to serve on its zoning hearing board.

Because of a stipulation, the board of supervisors had to remove two of the three recently added alternates, which it unanimously approved Monday morning.

The board agreed to remove Brian McQuillen and Terri Knoedler as alternates because per Urban Research Development Company, the township cannot have more than three alternates on the zoning hearing board.

It was explained that the reason McQuillen and Knoedler were removed was because they were the two most recent individuals to be named alternates. They, along with Robert Coccio Jr., were appointed as alternates on the zoning hearing board in January. McQuillen’s and Knoedler’s names will remain on file.

Township solicitor Paul J. Datte said that the township is “fortunate” to have that many, because most municipalities do not.

Datte then said that the zoning ordinance, which is centered around agricultural land use, will probably be done in the next month.

He said the comments are with Charles Schmehl, consultant with Urban Research & Development Corp., and that all that’s left for him to do is tweak a few things.

Datte then complimented the board, saying it has gone beyond the call to duty in attempting to address concerns from the public.

He then suggested to the board that it hold one more informal public hearing to receive public comment on the draft.

Supervisor Glenn Hummel said he makes it a point to be fully transparent, and believes that’s an important trait.

Supervisor Tim Houser said there may be certain instances where the township may have to adapt to the times.

“The township is changing, and we’re going to have to change our thought process,” Houser said.

McQuillen asked the board for an update on the comments he submitted to the board on Oct. 17.

McQuillen said he wasn’t certain that his comments were sent to Schmehl for his review.

However, Hummel told McQuillen that his concerns were sent to Schmehl on Oct. 18.

Earlier this month, Datte said the township received some comments back from Schmehl, and that there was a lot of discussion on the zoning in the Mill Drive area that still needs to be determined.

Datte said at that time he believed the board was still a couple of meetings away from having a final version before a hearing.

In December, Houser said he’d like to protect the rural atmosphere of the township, and that he’d rather see businesses develop along routes 309, 895 and 443.

Also at that time, Hummel suggested that the board follow the recommendations of Schmehl.

After that meeting, Datte said he believed all of the outstanding issues raised have been addressed by supervisors.