In response to last week's editorial, we received several calls from readers who were required to file a "Right to Know" request with the municipality to obtain a copy of the zoning map.
While a cost is (and should be) associated with producing a copy of a the document or any corresponding zoning ordinances, requiring a Right to Know request to be filed and having the requestor incur a waiting period to obtain a copy of a public ordinance is pushing the intent of the law a bit too far.
Are builders and developers required to file a Right to Know request for those same documents?
Anyway, some of our local municipalities have their Zoning Maps available online and interested persons can download and print them. Some of our local municipalities also have their Ordinances available online and available for downloading and printing as well - no Right to Know request required there.
There has been concern expressed by some that building anything in an Agricultural Zone is prohibited. That is not necessarily true – it depends on your municipality's zoning definition. Most zoning ordinances allow for some form of housing (usually low density) in an Agricultural District.
It reinforces your need to know what the laws are on and surrounding your property.
If and when the time comes where a change to the zoning is requested, you have rights.
Among the notification requirements of Article IX, Section 908 of Act 247, the [local zoning hearing] shall conduct hearings and make decisions in accordance with the following requirements: Public notice shall be given and written notice shall be given to the applicant, the zoning officer, such other persons as the governing body shall designate by ordinance and to any person who has made timely request for the same.
Written notices shall be given at such time and in such manner as shall be prescribed by ordinance or, in the absence of ordinance provision, by rules of the board. In addition to the written notice provided herein, written notice of said hearing shall be conspicuously posted on the affected tract of land at least one week prior to the hearing.
Residents need to stay vigilant regarding what's going on around them, and know what questions to ask and when to ask them.
Residents should be in the know and ask questions.
Officials must be in the know and provide answers.