New Castle News

Local News

Discussion

October 19, 2012

Neshannock Township considers zoning updates

Nancy Lowry New Castle News

NEW CASTLE — Neshannock Township is a step closer to revising its zoning map and ordinance.

The supervisors this week agreed to begin the process to adopt the new ordinance, which will include advertising the changes, making them available for public inspection and scheduling a public hearing.

The result will be to upgrade the ordinance to reflect current land use and to accommodate new issues, specifically oil and gas drilling. Those were not considered when the current ordinance was approved in 1999.

Zoning consultant Roberta Sarraf of Canonsburg explained options that may have to change depending on the result of Act 13, a new law that regulates the natural gas industry and limits the ability of municipalities to control placement of drilling operations through local zoning.

Currently, she said the township limits drilling to specific zones, but only as a conditional use.

The Corbett administration has appealed a Commonwealth Court ruling that the zoning aspects are unconstitutional. Sarraf said the Pennsylvania Supreme Court this week heard arguments on the issue.

Sarraf said three options have been presented to the township. She recommended that the supervisors include in the new ordinance the one that expands areas where drilling may be done, but retains conditional use controls  regarding drilling and the  creation of impound water stations, compressor stations and processing plants — all associated with the drilling industry.

“Act 13 would open the whole township to drilling as a permitted use, and remove controls,” she said. “If the court rules Act 13 is not constitutional, we can restore the original language.”

the most recent document predates Act 13.

(Email: nlowry@ncnewsonline.com)

 

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News
  • CASCADETheatre.jpg Movie Memories, Part 5: Once upon a time, the city was filled with nickelodeons

    At least three of New Castle’s earliest movie theaters were ravaged by fire. But if you were a patron in those days, smoke might not have been the only smell to send you running into the streets. A fog of perfume might have done the trick as well.

    May 24, 2013 1 Photo 1 Slideshow 4 Stories

  • PENN_Circa1950.jpg Movie Memories, Part 4: Penn Theater remembered for opulence, Leo Mickey’s weekend kiddie shows

    When today’s New Castle residents recall the city’s former movie theaters, the Penn may be the most fondly remembered. Built in the 1920s, the Penn “was the first one (downtown) to be built as a full-fledged, deluxe theater,” said Jack Oberleitner, a New Castle native and owner of a cinema consulting firm that bears his name.

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo 1 Slideshow 3 Stories

  • 04.jpg Movie Memories, Part 3: The Hi-Lander and Cinema theaters were the last two New Castle movie houses to go dark

    Although the downtown once was dotted with movie theaters, one of the last to close was well up the North Hill. The 750-seat Hi-Lander opened in 1952, the result of a joint effort by two pairs of area drive-in owners: Al Tate and John Wincek (Highway 51 near Darlington, and John Favorite and Joe Glorioso (Blue Sky near Zelienople).

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo 1 Slideshow 2 Stories

  • No tax hike in Union school budget

    The Union Area School Board has introduced a $10.6 budget with no tax increase. If the $10,585,494 spending plan is approved, it will be the third year without a tax increase in the district. The property tax is at 14.42 mills.

    May 22, 2013

  • STATE_JohnBorovilos.jpg Movie Memories, Part 2: Monsters, cowboys and ultimately, sex, were staples at State Theater

    Second in a series: Daily through Memorial Day, the New Castle News will be looking back at some of the city’s now-defunct movie theaters. These movie houses will be seen primarily through the eyes of New Castle natives with ties to them — including “Mister Movie” himself, Leo Mickey. Today: The State Theater
     

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo 1 Slideshow 1 Story

  • VICTOR_01.jpg Movie Memories, Part 1: Victor one of many long-gone local theaters

    First in a series: Today through Memorial Day, the New Castle News will be looking back at some of the city’s now-defunct movie theaters. These movie houses will be seen primarily through the eyes of New Castle natives with ties to them — including “Mister Movie” himself, Leo Mickey. Today: The Victor
     

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo 1 Slideshow

  • vote.jpg Our Opinion: Make the most of your power to vote by casting ballot tomorrow

    So what kind of turnout will there be for tomorrow’s primary? Recent history suggests somewhere between low and lousy. This year’s elections are devoted to local races, and there are few major ones being contested in the primary.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • Relay for Life set for next week

    New Castle’s Relay for Life will kick off at 7 p.m. May 31 on the track at Shenango High School’s Glen “Pop” Johnston Stadium. Relay for Life is an organized, overnight fundraising walk for the American Cancer Society.

    May 20, 2013

  • Sorg.jpg New Castle News names new publisher

    Sharon A. Sorg is no stranger to hometown newspapers. It’s no surprise, then, that she’s been selected to lead the newspaper in her hometown. Sorg has been named publisher of the New Castle News, which is just a few miles from her residence in Pulaski Township.

    May 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Disney.tiff Rockin’ Recess: Laurel youngsters earn a morning of music, health education

    Hands clapping. Arms waving. Crowd chanting. That was the scene at Laurel Elementary School yesterday morning. Laurel beat out four other school districts in the UPMC For Kids and Radio Disney-sponsored “Attendance Counts” competition.

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo