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White Oak Councilman Resigns; Borough Updates Ordinances
By Cami DiBattista
The Tube City Almanac
April 20, 2018
Posted in: White Oak News
White Oak Councilman Sean Robb announced his resignation at Monday’s borough council meeting, saying that he has accepted a business opportunity that will require him to spend most of his time outside of Pennsylvania.
“I feel the residents of the borough deserve to have a full and fair representation of all their council members, therefore I am submitting my resignation,” Robb said.
Under the state’s borough code, council will have 30 days to appoint a replacement to fill Robb's term until the next municipal election.
In other business, council amended the borough's zoning ordinance to permit medical marijuana, and amended the part of the ordinance governing oil and gas drilling operations.
A public hearing was held before the council meeting on both ordinance changes.
Regarding medical marijuana, the ordinance permits dispensaries and grow operations in zoned areas in accordance with state law.
“Our ordinance does not regulate the internal business, just the location of the business,” White Oak Solicitor Krisha DiMascio said. “Internal operations are governed through the state.”
The motion passed council on a 5-2 vote.
Council members said Allegheny County gave its approval on the ordinance and all state and federal laws pertaining to medical marijuana will be followed.
A motion also passed 6-1 to amend the recently approved oil and gas ordinance.
The ordinance does not prohibit drilling as long as permit requirements are met, but regulates where drilling can occur, such as the distance from a school, according to DiMascio.
The changes to both ordinances were generated by the borough's planning commission, which presented suggestions to council for approval, DiMascio said. “The recommendations from the planning commission took into consideration our comprehensive plan and current zoning ordinance,” she said. “They did a lot of their own research and council thanks the planning commission for all their hard work.”
Cami DiBattista is a freelance writer. Jason Togyer contributed to this story.
Originally published April 20, 2018.
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