Zoning Hearing Board - Regular Meeting

Afternoon everyone. We'll call the meeting to order. If you would all join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right, Amy, if you could call the role, please.

Okay, Mr. Seabald, present. Mr. Johnson, present. Mr. Dawson, present. Miss King, present. And Miss Gunen, present. Okay, all are here. Thank you. All right, moving on to the next item of the agenda. Uh, we need to elect a secretary today. Is there a motion? Motion to nominate Amy Francis. Second. Second by Miss King. All in favor indicate by saying I. I. All right. Congratulations, Amy. Thank you. You're welcome.

All right. Moving on to new business. Uh, today we have an update from the Bureau of Planning and Zoning. Uh, Jackie Sprry and Cooper Moore. Good afternoon, zoning hearing members. Uh, my name is Jackie Spry. I am the bureau chief of the planning and zoning department at the city of Erie. Um, I think this is the first time that I'm addressing this board. Um, I want to make you aware that there's been some changes internally at the city that you've probably heard of, but planning and zoning are back together again. Um, over the last couple of years, zoning was not with planning, but um, we are now all under the Department of Neighborhood and Economic Development. And within those within that umbrella lives um the uh planning and zoning bureau of planning and zoning the bureau of grants for department of economic and community development and also the code enforcement which is now known as building safety and inspections

standard and safety.

There you go. [laughter and gasps] So, um there's been some changes, but it's good because it's the this this the framework is that we are we're all moving in the same direction. We're working together. Um we have uh a different communication framework and um so it's it's been very helpful to have us all under that same umbrella [clears throat] with planning now working so closely with zoning. Um which makes sense because we're inextricably connected. Maybe we can close that door possibly if you don't mind. Thank you. Um because we're so much so in inextricably connected, um there there are some things that you should be aware of that have happened in the last year and that are occurring currently. Um last year we applied for a state grant called the municipal um assistance planning grant to rewrite the zoning ordinance and salo. I hope you were aware of that um in prog in progress. Um unfortunately we did not uh we were not awarded that grant for um several reasons. one, they were inundated with grants and just didn't have enough funding to um to to fund all of these um these proposals, and two, really we were sort of the the cart before the horse. Um this year, our comprehensive plan, which we call Eerie Refocus, is 10 years old. And so, um, I think the state really wanted us to, um, have the traditional comprehensive plan, uh, development and then that, of course, would guide the zoning ordinance rewrite and the SADO rewrite. So, we've listened. We've had discussions with the state um and of course with the new

administration. We are we've we've determined that we are going to apply for a state map grant again which is due April 1st for the development of a comprehensive plan. not a rewrite, but a but an actual new development of a new comprehensive plan that will guide growth, guide housing, uh all of those environmental land use concerns, all of it together. And then in turn, we would then apply for an additional um grant hopefully maybe even within the the next year for a full rewrite of the zoning ordinance in Salo. So that is the process that we're taking right now. Um are there any questions regarding that? Because that eventually will impact this board um only in that you will have a new code that you will have to uphold. So uh the code that we um were looking at and we applied for um last year was what they call a hybrid code. So, not only was it the typical Uklitian um land use and and um the the type of the type of zoning that we're used to, but it was also very much focused on form. And so, we were marrying those two together. Um and it it would have been a very different code than and a code that we that would provide for what the city needs. And so that's why the comprehensive plan is so important because that will guide the land use laws that were will be put in place. Any questions around that or the approach that the city is taking and supported very much by our new new administration. Okay. Um, second, I just wanted to also inform you because may affect land use

changes and regulations coming down, but um, we are we were awarded $20 million through the safe streets and roads for all implementation grant. Um you may be aware that last year I'm sorry in 2024 we um completed a safety action plan which really focused on high injury the high injury network of the city on fatal injuries and serious um fatal fatal injuries and serious serious suspected injuries. So those are injuries that are have life life-changing effects. Um we then after that was completed uh the the previous administration applied for a safe safe road safe streets and roads for all implementation grant and we were the largest grant actually in the commonwealth. Um and there were only 11 nationwide that received 20 million or more. So it was very exciting for us. Um we we're currently working on the first RFP. We're waiting to sign the agreement, then working on the first RFP for supplemental planning. That includes um traffic safety audits. It includes um the finalization of a complete streets policy and also trafficcoming measures. So, there's a lot going on in terms of the our infrastructure and streets. And then lastly, I just wanted to give you an update. Another update about another project we're working on which may affect also land use um is our uh comprehensive recreation, parks and open space plan. We are we are one year almost a little bit over one year into this project. Um this is a citywide comprehensive 20-year plan uh for our 51 parks in the city of Erie. Uh it h it has been extreme extremely um valuable

for our department, for the administration, not only to hear about and see what we have, the tangible things we have and amenities we have, but also those programs and recreational needs that are of our our city, of our community. So, we have um we just finished up about 30 one- on-one um meetings with stakeholders um organizations from Asbury Woods, Prescy Partnership, the Children's Museum, Art House, all the neighborhood groups, um all these different YMCA, all these different organizations that either have worked with the city with the with the recreation with the parks and recreation guide or that there's potential there to partnership with the city. So, um and and what the parks could be as an amenity to their program. So, it was very it was very interesting. Um we are moving now into the recommendation phase of that project and um we are hopeful that we'll have a draft completed by April and a fully adopted plan by um by middle of June. So, um to be to be determined and also um once we are completed once that plan is complete, we do have $4 million um set aside from the ARP funds that are sitting there waiting for implementation and leveraging additional funds. So, we are ready to get to work on that plan. So, thank you. And I'm going to hand it over to Cooper, who is the assistant before you go. Oh, yes.

Does the parks include the golf courses? Does parks include Does parks include the golf course? Well, we're we're looking at all of that as a complex there. Yes, that's city land. Yes. So, it would include the golf course. We are not we're we have not included Downing in our analysis or our recommendations because Downing lies outside of the city limits. Although we are looking at it as a in terms of the financial the financials and what that what that um the impact that it has on the city. Okay.

Uh I'm going to pass it over to Cooper Moore. He's the assistant planner of the Bureau of Planning and Zoning and he's going to talk to you a little bit about our subdivision and land development process and the amend amendments that we've done in the last year. Thank you. Hi, good afternoon. Um, Cooper Moore. I'm the assistant planner like Jackie said. Um, and I'd like to talk a little bit about the subdivision and land development ordinance. Um, you're all very familiar with the zoning ordinance which dictates um what can go where and how it sits on the site. The subdivision and land development ordinance is a very comprehensive ordinance that governs our land review process comprehensively. Um, so subdivisions and land developments. Subdivisions being the moving or creating of new lot lines. Um, and then land developments are any new construction within the city with a couple of exceptions. Um, we don't need to see single family housing. Um, or additions to an existing building under 5,000 ft or any kind of interior renovation. Um, so the SALDO process when we get in an application involves not only our bureau but also the Bureau of Engineering here at the city where they do their storm water reviews and ensure that any public infrastructure that's necessary is also being constructed as part of the process. And we also forward any projects on to the county planning department so they can do their reviews as well. Um, after all the reviews are completed, if everything checks out, uh, the project goes in front of the planning commission. And somewhat uniquely in the city of Erie, the planning commission has final authority on any subdivision or land development. They never go to city council. um [clears throat] a recent amendments that we made to the salo last fall. Um the buzzwords there were clarity and consistency and we were bringing them in line with state regulations like the Pennsylvania municipalities planning code. Um

[snorts] and we just really wanted to make sure that any applicant knows what to expect and that they should expect it every time. Um so we streamlined the process. We clarified what needs to be submitted for any subdivision or land development. um and uh set out a timeline that we stick to with every project. Um with the new amendments, [clears throat] excuse me, we held a session with developers, architects, surveyors, and anyone who was interested really about 5 weeks ago. Um, and we had over a hundred attendees where we went through what the salo is, um, what they should expect when they apply, resources that we have available to them, um, and everything else really that they could want to know about the amendments. [clears throat] Um, and the available resources, the last little thing I wanted to mention, we have done [clears throat] some pretty extensive changes to the Salo page on the city's website.

[snorts] We've instituted a new online application um that's much easier um both for an applicant to fill out and also for us to track the projects. It tracks dates and everything for us automatically. [clears throat] Any necessary files can be uploaded right through that application. [snorts] Um and all the tracking is done on the back end of that application as well. Um everything else is listed on the website um with links to any additional external resources that might be relevant such as FEMA guidelines or anything that has to do with storm water. Um and I think that's all I have to share about the salo. Any questions?

Thank you very much. appreciate the updates. Miss Genjin, if we could uh announce Lydia, I forgot to add that to the new business. Um, since she's fairly new. Indeed, we can do that. Uh, to Amy's point, attorney Lydia Caparosa from McDonald Ilig Jones in Britain is the new solicister for the zoning hearing board. Um, after an extensive RFP process um, and interview process, it was the unanimous consent of the board to uh, enter into a contract with Lydia. So, welcome and thank you. Thank you, Laura. I'm happy to be here. Um, it's nice that I only have to walk up a couple blocks for my meetings instead of uh and have them in the middle of the day. So, I'm quite pleased with this. Happy to be here supporting you all. Good. Thank you.

All right. Uh, seeing no other new business, let's move along to approval of the December 10th meeting minutes and the February 10th uh meeting minutes. I understand there is one amendment um correction on the spelling of Selena's first name. Um other than that, I'll entertain a motion to approve as amended. So move Johnson. Second. Second, Mr. Dawson. All right. All those in favor? I

I Okay. No voting decisions today. No continued hearings, no appeals to be heard, and no unfinished business. So with that, we are at adjournment. Thank you. All right. Thanks everybody.