Zelienople council approved a public hearing last week for Western Butler County Authority’s planned new administrative building.

“The WBCA is in the process of planning to upgrade their entire facility,” borough manager Andrew Spencer said.

Western Butler County Authority — the joint authority that provides water and sewer services for the borough — is seeking to build a new administrative center and garage across from their main office on Market Street.

WBCA officials previously said the authority had outgrown its current facility, and that the new administrative center would be the “first step” in its upgrades.

To do this, the authority has purchased adjoining property from Zelienople Mini Storage.

“As part of their land development plan, a conditional-use hearing is required,” Spencer said.

Also serving Harmony, Jackson Township and Lancaster Township, the authority recently had a new 50-year charter approved by its four municipalities, following nearly two years of negotiations.

Zelienople was the last municipality to agree to the renewal, adding the stipulation that a majority vote of the WBCA board approve any expenditures over $1 million and that the authority allocate $470,000 annually for collection system improvement design.

As part of borough council’s last meeting, Oct. 9, the council also gave preliminary approval for land development at the site.

A resolution concerning property access was struck from the meeting’s agenda by the borough solicitor, according to Spencer.

“It’s a legal matter,” he said.

The hearing for the site’s conditional use permit will be conducted Oct. 30 as part of the borough’s final council meeting this month.