VALENCIA — This tiny borough tucked in the southwest corner of the county may only measure a third of a square mile, but it still is thinking about zoning.

The three-person council is considering developing an ordinance to ensure proper development in the borough.

Shanon McKenna, council vice president, said the borough at the source of Breakneck Creek between Adams Township and Richland Township in Allegheny County has no ordinance to determine what type of development is permitted in various areas.

“As we are seeing increased interest all around us in the development of land, we are starting to see some of that in our own borough,” McKenna said.

He said a portion of the 15 or so buildable acres has recently gone up for sale, and some residents have shared their concerns regarding what might go in.

“A concerned resident from the Valencia Presbyterian Church raised a concern about what might appear across the street,” McKenna said.

He said the resident sent a letter to council asking what measures are in place to determine what could be built on the lot across from the church.

“That was something that opened our eyes,” McKenna said.

The three council members in mid-January met with the Butler County Planning Commission to discuss zoning in a small borough and what steps the council members would need to take to enact a zoning ordinance.

“They were very welcoming,” McKenna said.

Joel MacKay, the civil engineering technician at the county planning commission, said on Wednesday that nine boroughs in the county, mostly in the far northern reaches, do not have zoning ordinances. That means the councils cannot prohibit any lawful use of land, even ones that are undesirable.

“Zoning basically separates the municipality into zones that have allowed uses and regulations on what all is to be (permitted) in that particular zone,” McKenna said.

He said the planning commission advised Valencia council on the procedure to enact a zoning ordinance that is required by the Pennsylvania Municipal Planning Code.

“We’re just kind of a guide for (small municipalities without zoning),” MacKay said. “We try to help them through that process.”

The county planning commission advised the Valencia representatives to look at Seven Fields as an example. It also offered a list of consultants that the council could hire to assist.

“We’re here to help them as best we can,” MacKay said. “I think they were wishing they would have done it a while back.”

As a result of the meeting with the county planning commission, McKenna said the council will hold a special public meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 20 in the borough building at 61 Almira Street. All borough residents are invited to attend.

A zoning expert from the Pennsylvania Association of Boroughs will give a presentation.

“It’s purely educational,” McKenna said. “Just to figure out what is required and what it means to have zoning.”

He said council wants the lowest cost to the taxpayers as possible as it determines whether enacting a zoning ordinance would be appropriate.

“It’s going to be a journey for us,” McKenna said.