LOCKPORT — Woodward Township Supervisors discussed amending current zoning ordinances following public comments regarding Project Transition and the use of “institutional residences” during their meeting on May 19.

Supervisors focused heavily on zoning and land use during their meeting, voting to begin amending township ordinances dealing with institutional residences after weeks of public debate surrounding the recently denied residential project.

Supervisor Kyle Coleman said the proposed changes are intended to clarify where institutional residences may be permitted while also reducing the number of costly zoning variance hearings for minor residential projects.

“We can’t completely do away with activities,” Coleman said during the discussion. “Zoning ordinances require that we have some sort of geographical region within the township for every conceivable use.”

The board directed solicitor Thom Rosamilia to begin the process amending the ordinance that would remove “institutional residences” from the township’s low-density residential district. The supervisors said the use would remain permitted in high-density residential and commercial areas within the township.

They stressed the township cannot just eliminate a use entirely from its zoning ordinance.

“We can’t just simply eliminate these types of uses completely,” supervisor John Barth explained. “That’s kind of the understanding we have to start with.”

The discussion stemmed from recent controversy surrounding the proposed institutional residence application that had gone before the zoning hearing board. The supervisors repeatedly emphasized the township is legally limited in what changes it can make retroactively.

“One of the things people were hopeful that we would do — and we cannot do that — is go in and change the way that property was zoned,” Coleman said. “That’s called spot zoning. It’s illegal to just say, ‘Hey, this one property we’re going to zone differently.'”

Rosamilia added that even if the ordinance changes are approved, any appeal connected to the previously filed application would still be governed by the ordinance language that existed when the original application was submitted.

“If they do intend to appeal that decision for the zoning hearing board, the zoning ordinance now is what still applies,” he said.

The supervisors also acknowledged concerns from residents that had been discussed repeatedly.

“Your concerns didn’t fall on deaf ears,” Coleman responded. “We’ve looked into it many times.”

In an additional ordinance matter, supervisors discussed easing setback requirements for small residential sheds and accessory structures. They agreed with resident concerns that current regulations often force homeowners into expensive zoning variance hearings over minor placement issues.

“We lose money every time there’s a variance hearing,” Zoning Officer Eric Jacobs said, citing attorney fees, advertising costs and payments to zoning board members.

The board discussed allowing sheds, 144 square feet or smaller, to be placed closer to property lines with reduced setback requirements. Supervisors additionally motioned for Rosamilia to explore updating the ordinance language, creating a two-foot setback requirement from the roof overhang for those structures.

Zoning officer Alexi Woodward said the current process has required property owners to provide property pins before construction approvals are issued.

“We have been making people show us their pins,” he said. “We will know where the line is.”

The board also discussed broader zoning updates, including possible regulations on data centers and solar fields. Supervisors amended their motion before approval to include research into those issues as well.

Beyond zoning discussions, the board appointed Shelley McKeague to fill the vacancy on the township zoning hearing board, temporarily filled by Bob Rolley. McKeague said her background includes reviewing policies and regulations.

Supervisors also approved a request from the Dunnstown Fire Company to purchase scuba diving equipment for six certified divers using fire tax funds. The approved purchase totaled approximately $15,962.

“With the river in our backyard, there’s been some unfortunate situations,” Coleman said while supporting the request.

Representatives from the fire company say delivery for all equipment should take between 2-4 weeks.