West Penn Township supervisors will hold a workshop to tackle a variety of topics, including a hot-button zoning ordinance.

Supervisors took no action on the ordinance at Monday’s meeting, nor did it do so on its International Property Maintenance Code or peddling ordinances.

Instead, the board plans to hold a workshop at 3 p.m. May 1 to discuss all of those items.

The board’s regular monthly meeting will follow at 6 p.m.

Zoning ordinance

Last month, township solicitor Paul J. Datte then said that the zoning ordinance, which is centered around agricultural land use, will probably be done in the next month or so.

He said the comments were 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 at that time 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.

Resident Brian 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 last 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.

IPMC

Datte said last month that he was working on an ordinance that would be advertised by the township concerning the potential implementation of an International Property Maintenance Code.

Board Chairman Tony Prudenti said at that time his concern was that individuals don’t try to use the IPMC as a means to rebel against neighbors.

Houser said he would like to see something that has “some teeth in it.”

Hummel said he agreed, but doesn’t believe the township should be forcing people.

Datte said it’s a relatively short ordinance that he already prepared, but that the board should let him know if there’s anything they would like to see changed.

Houser said in February that the township was still receiving a lot of complaints about people cleaning up.

He specifically alluded to a property situation in Snyders which he said has been going on for 10 years, while other properties are sitting idle and continue to deteriorate.

As a result, Houser said at that time the township continues to look into the possibility of adopting the IPMC. The township has a property maintenance ordinance in place, but it’s difficult to enforce.

Houser said at that time his biggest fear is that (it would be used) to weaponize against a neighbor who someone doesn’t like.

Houser previously said that he believes it will be hard to balance between developments because the township has such a mix of developments and farming.

Peddling ordinance

The township’s peddling/soliciting ordinance was adopted in 1993.

The board previously said it needs to be updated so that it can regulate such activity.