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City Council's economic revitalization committee recommended changes to the zoning ordinance to help improve safety walking into stores. It also sets up some new design standards for builders looking to develop in two city commercial districts.
The areas are on Washington Boulevard and West Fourth and Arch streets in Newberry.
The first amendment read: "Any time a new parking lot is constructed within a commercial district it shall have a pedestrian entrance that faces the public street."
"I'm satisfied the entrance has to face onto a public street," Councilman David Banks said.
It could be used for a secondary street, Councilwoman Liz Miele said.
The committee has met every two weeks to get movement on pedestrian access to the front of buildings on new developments, Banks said.
Another amendment addresses building setbacks not previously done in the commercial districts, Banks said.
The committee recommendations were sparked by the upset earlier this year caused by a Dollar General construction at 905 Washington Blvd., he said.
Many of the people living in the neighborhood near Franklin Street and the boulevard opposed the construction, concerned it would increase traffic in an already busy part of the city.
Miele said the amendments essentially create a design overlay.
Developers will have a clear direction and that includes when they build near Central Business District, she said.
The change proposed for setbacks for new construction, increased frontage so outdoor seating can be added for restaurants, which is necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"More and more restaurants" are asking for these type of additional spaces so tables and chairs can be set up outside in the front of their restaurants, said Joseph Gerardi, city codes administrator.
Gary Knarr, city zoning officer, also is drafting his own revision to the street parking near Pennsylvania College of Technology and Lycoming College.
The amendment said there will be one on-street parking space for every four students, giving others use of those spaces and students the option of using off-campus parking or on-campus parking which would be paid.
The amendments will be forwarded to city solicitors for a legal review, Knarr said.
Afterwards, the legal review and updates will go back to the committee, before the amendments are forwarded to the city planning commission, which is scheduled to meet in early January.
The amendments to the zoning ordinance then would be discussed at a public hearing, where people can provide input, before they are taking up by City Council for a vote, Knarr said.