Rezoning can be initiated to protect the safety, capacity and efficiency of the Borough's existing infrastructure systems; to maintain fiscal responsibility; and to uphold the objectives of the Borough's Comprehensive Plan. See also the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code § 609.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10609.
Rezoning applications are completed on the official forms provided by the Zoning Officer. All applicants submitting rezoning applications are required to prepare a series of plans, analyses and reports as enumerated in § 312-38 to demonstrate the compatibility of a rezoning proposal.
A. 
The Zoning Officer:
(1) 
Will perform a desk check review of the package to determine the completeness of the application. Will return any incomplete or insufficient application to the applicant or will forward a complete application package to the Borough Planning Commission for review.
(2) 
Will provide the applicant a letter within seven business days stating that the application has been submitted with all required information attached.
B. 
As part of the rezoning approval process, the Borough Planning Commission and Borough Council consider the motivation and implications of each plan, analysis and report.
C. 
The Borough Planning Commission will:
(1) 
Consider any projected beneficial and/or detrimental effects on The Borough and may host a public hearing on the application if they deem it applicable.
(2) 
Submit a written recommendation either in favor or not in favor of the rezoning proposal including a specific statement as to whether or not the proposed rezoning is in accordance with the objectives of the Etna-Millvale-Sharpsburg Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan.
(3) 
Forward Borough Council a recommendation for the nature of action regarding rezoning.
D. 
The Borough Council will host a public hearing on the application and composes a brief summary explanation of its decision and forward the decision and explanation to the applicant. Upon rezoning approval, the Zoning Officer will update the Zone Map accordingly.
Plans and reports that a landowner and/or developer submits include:
A. 
Sketch plan.
B. 
Estimated infrastructure (sanitary sewer and potable water) demands (gallons per day).
C. 
Off-street parking projections (number of parking spaces) available on site.
D. 
A summary of anticipated impacts on adjoining lots including but not limited to noise, vibration, nighttime lighting, service area locations and visibility, hours of operation.
E. 
Depending upon the location of lot access, infrastructure service/demands and impacts identified in Subsection D on adjoining lots, the Borough Council may require a landowner and/or developer to prepare other potential related studies. The Borough Planning Commission and the Borough Council reserve the right to request additional information as part of the rezoning review and approval process in order to evaluate the applicability of the rezoning.