After nearly two years of work, the Ligonier Borough Planning Commission voted to recommend a 156-page revised zoning ordinance and new zoning map to borough council.

The new ordinance alleviates confusion and ambiguities that were in the previous ordinance, planning commission Chairman Scott Lieb said.

For example, the old ordinance had no definition for major and minor streets, but referenced them later in the document. The new version clears up those differences, Lieb said.

The ordinance will be given to council before its Oct. 5 meeting, and council members will set a date for a public hearing, required before the ordinance can go into affect.

If approved, residents will be able to add “granny flats” — an additional room above their garage — an option that previously wasn’t permitted.

Businesses will also be able to count borough-owned lots as part of their parking requirement, whereas before any business owners moving into The Diamond had to get a parking variance.

After commissioners unanimously approved the recommendation, commissioner Joe Willard brought up a new project.

“We need some sort of written procedure to keep the development process fluid and running smoothly,” Willard said.

He proposed creating a written application that includes instructions for developers.

Commissioner Jim McDonnell agreed.

“Anything we can do to make this zoning and land-use thing easier,” he said.

Willard will create a proposal to be discussed at the commission’s meeting on Oct. 22.

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