Last updated in 1995, the County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance is ready to be updated for 2012 and beyond. The process for developing a new ordinance began last year with a review of all of the issues in the current Ordinance.

Bringing more flexibility to design standards and clarifying sometimes confusing rules is a major goal. The addition of a Conservation Development Option (CDO) is a part of the draft Ordinance.

CDO’s offer developers the opportunity to make use of a substitute process for subdivision and land development. Essentially, developers are able to realize density bonuses in return for open space, recreation, and trail dedications. The net effect is a more eco-friendly development that, because of density of bonuses, improves the return on investment for developers.

Over the next few months the Department will be working toward adoption. We’ll be meeting with municipalities, surveyors, developers and the public to hear their concerns and input.

The end result will be an ordinance that supports development while making it a more flexible set of development rules.

To learn more visit our website, www.co.westmoreland.pa.us/planning and go to the Subdivision, Land Development & Zoning page.