Adams Township Planning Commission slid into a slopes ordinance workshop Monday afternoon.

Martin McKinney, planning commission chairman, said the township decided to revisit township slope regulations as municipalities across the region face erosion and sediment problems.

Geographical makeup, weather patterns and regional industry such as mining all contribute to local slope concerns.

“We've had some issues in Western Pennsylvania with slopes,” McKinney said. “We're basically restarting here.”

The planning commission and supervisors entertained revisions last year. Sean Gallagher, township solicitor, said official feedback indicated that township leaders want to simplify the ordinance and focus on key objectives.

The current slopes ordinance is a percentage-based model. It allows developers to disturb a portion of ground, depending on the existing angle of the slope.

Gallagher asked if the planning commission wanted to keep this model or establish a static total distance.

“Right now, the maximum slope is a 2:1 slope,” Gallagher said.

A 2:1 slope is a 1-foot rise over a 2-foot run, or 50% slope. Gallagher said this maximum applies to preexisting slopes.

Liz McMeekin, a planning commission member, said using a percentage helps maintain slopes on a project-by-project basis.

“Everyone is so different,” McMeekin said. “It's so hard to put something in black and white when we just have so many variables.”

Gallagher said one of the things the township needs to determine before making any final decisions is what the slopes ordinance is meant to do.

“What are the things that you want to preserve?” Gallagher asked.

McKinney said the goal of the ordinance is to protect township property owners and the rural character of the community while allowing a person to develop property.

Rob Crouthamel, a township resident, pointed out a number of planned residential developments have already worked within the township's existing slopes regulations.

McKinney agreed.

“They were able to make (and) develop a workable solution,” McKinney said.

Still, McKinney indicated there are some areas that could be clarified.

Gallagher said he'll use Monday's discussion to work on ordinance revisions. Gallagher indicated he's hoping to have a draft ready for the planning commission in coming weeks.