Gettysburg Zoning Code Update/Rewrite Project

Gettysburg Borough wants your feedback on the Zoning Code Update/Rewrite Project!

Gettysburg Borough identified several years ago the need to update its Zoning Ordinance, and set in motion plans to do so first with the updating of the Comprehensive Plan.  Gettysburg’s Comprehensive Plan, the Central Adams Joint Comprehensive Plan went into effect April 2019, and with that in place Gettysburg started the rezoning project in March of 2023.

The Zoning Update/Rewrite Project includes updating land use regulations, such as:

• A new Zoning Map, with zoning district locations and boundaries
• Uses allowed in each district
• Standards that apply to buildings and structures
• Standards that apply to specific uses

The primary goals of the Zoning Update/Rewrite Project are:

• Simplify the zoning map and ordinance to make it easier for the user to navigate with a limited number of steps to research the regulations impacting a project or parcel(s).
• Update zoning map to reflect changes that have occurred in the built environment since the last major update.
• Update to accommodate and regulate modern uses such as small cell wireless facilities.
• Update definitions and other provisions to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations and related case law, such as the Fair Housing Act.  See PA DCED's Zoning Publication for information on Pennsylvania Zoning Ordinance requirements.

DRAFT SECTIONS

DRAFT sections and section updates will be added below as they are available.

Part 1: General Zoning Provisions as of 5.23.2023
Part 2: Definitions
Part 3: Zoning Districts
     · Map as of 01.18.2024
     · District Descriptions as of 9.28.2023
Part 4: Zoning Uses
Part 5: Supplemental Regulations

Wondering where we are in the process?

We are currently in PHASE 1 of the Zoning Update/Rewrite Project, so we are just starting to draft various sections and gather public input at Planning Commission meetings. 

• PHASE 1:  Zoning sections are drafted one at a time, including the zoning map.  This phase includes a Character Areas exercise, which evaluated the built environment throughout the Borough and grouped ‘like’ areas together based on building size, setback, and density.  Each section is evaluated by the Planning Commission and discussed at their monthly meetings. 
• PHASE 2: Once all of the draft sections are largely complete, the Planning Commission will discuss any specific issues that may have been brought forward via public comment in the interim of discussing each individual section and the full composite draft.  Once complete, the Planning Commission will present a draft to Borough Council for their review.
• PHASE 3:  Borough Council will review the draft zoning map and ordinance at their public meetings and will have an opportunity to make revisions.  Once Council is in agreement on a draft they will forward the draft to the County for review and schedule a public hearing to provide another opportunity for the public to comment on the draft ordinance.  If there are substantive revisions as a result of public comment, the revised ordinance will go through the public hearing process again.  Once complete, the ordinance will be adopted by Borough Council at a public meeting.

FIND UPCOMING MEETINGS

Gettysburg Borough is gathering input on the zoning update/rewrite project, and wants to hear your opinions on how the rezoning will affect your neighborhood.  Feedback can be provided to the Planning Commission, as this project is a standing item on their meeting agendas and new sections and revisions are discussed at every meeting.  Additional public meetings will be scheduled as needed as the project progresses. 

Join us to learn about the rezoning project and share your perspective.   Comments on the Zoning Rewrite/Update project can be submitted here.

Public meetings currently scheduled are listed below.