About Zoning
Where the rubber hits the road
Aspinwall's Zoning Ordinance is a section of the Borough Code [check it out at this link] that establishes what types and sizes of buildings can be built, how those buildings interact with surrounding buildings, streets or parcels of land, and -- perhaps most importantly -- the purposes for which the parcel or buildings can be used. Zoning is one of the most powerful tools a community has to encourage the kind of development it wants.
The Borough's current Zoning Map is available at this link. This map classifies each parcel within a zoning district, each of which has its own set of rules.
The Zoning Ordinance also contains rules and performance standards for specific land uses anywhere within the Borough -- think off-street parking requirements or landscaping -- and rules for signs and fences, among other items residents might install on property.
The Comprehensive Plan contains ideas for potential changes to the Zoning Ordinance, specifically with the aim of:
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Doubling down on the AC-1 zoning district as Aspinwall's charming pedestrian-oriented area
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Clarifying the ordinance and making it easier to understand
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Right-sizing parking
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Incorporating sustainability and resilience
The plan also affirms many of the community development objectives that the ordinance already references, including intentions to preserve and enhance the established quality and character of the Borough's residential neighborhoods and community business district; and to maintain a mixture of housing types and compatible economic activities to achieve a balanced community and diversified tax base, among others.
This Project
Borough Council initiated the Zoning Ordinance Update project in 2024 following the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan. The project will occur within roughly a one-year timeframe, concurrent with and in complement to the Parking Study now underway. Reviewing the Zoning Ordinance allows for overall streamlining, clean-up and alignment with today's best practices. It also provides an opportunity to take a closer look at topics that the Comprehensive Plan revealed as important to realizing community visions, such as sustaining vibrant, charming and well-connected business districts and further enhancing the quality of life in Aspinwall's beautiful residential neighborhoods.
A consultant team will provide technical expertise to help the Borough adopt updates driven by what we've heard from residents, and everyone will have the chance to review and comment on any changes before Council considers adopting them.
Who's Involved?
Steering Committee
The steering committee is a working group of community leaders and subject-matter experts who offer guidance and feedback during the zoning update process. The role of the Steering Committee is to provide local context and knowledge, to help ensure that proposed regulations are well calibrated for Aspinwall, to review and respond to developing materials and to relay and collect information to and from neighbors and friends in the borough.
Steering Committee Members
Mark Chimel
Melissa Lang
Evan Tobin
Lou Ann Wright
Bob Scott
Ryan Santelli
Steven Kochanowski
Scott Zimmerman
Planning Commission and Borough Council will review the proposed zoning update as it takes shape. Planning Commission will make a recommendation to Council on the changes, which Council has the authority to make following a 45-day review process and an advertised public hearing.
Consultant
Pashek+MTR, a Pittsburgh landscape architecture and community planning studio that pioneered the Implementable Comprehensive Plan model, is facilitating the plan.