JACKSON TWP — The township has proposed a major consolidation of both its residential and commercial zoning districts and the redrawing of its zoning map.

A public hearing is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 11 in the municipal building on Magill Road for comments on the proposal.

The township wants to consolidate its zoning districts from eight to three districts and two overlay districts.

Township supervisor Ron Lutz thinks the changes will be backed by the public because it simplifies the regulations.

The proposed three zoning districts and two overlay districts are:

• R — Residential District

• CC — Commercial Corridor District

• LI — Large-Scale Industrial District

• TO — Transitional Overlay District

• AO — Airport Overlay District

The residential district is for current and expected development that includes traditional subdivisions and single family homes and planned residential and traditional neighborhood developments.

The district’s proposed regulations also include agricultural uses and some small businesses.

The commercial corridor district includes properties at the intersections of state roads or along major traffic routes to be developed for commercial use and includes retail centers, offices and similar developments.

The large-scale industrial district is for industries the intensity of which requires major street infrastructure and concentration and buffering from residential, mixed use, and commercial neighborhoods and centers.

The transitional overlay district is to provide nonresidential and mixed use options in and adjoining neighborhoods of single family homes which are on or near roads where commercial growth is expected.

The district strives to protect single family homes while permitting nonresidential uses, according to township officials.

It also is designed to provide development options to properties near the Interstate 79 corridor where limited access may not permit large commercial development, but may not logically permit the construction homes.

The airport overlay district identifies those areas in Zelienople Municipal Airport overlay area and restricts the heights of buildings.

The entire proposed ordinance and its regulations and the new zoning map are on the township website at: www.jacksontwpbutler.org.