Jeff Howell, Elmwood Township Trustee and member of the Elmwood Planning Commission, informed board members and residents at the Township's regular board meeting held Tuesday January 9, that the township's long awaited zoning overhaul could be expected to be completed in February. Howell further detailed a process that would include a formal legal review to be accomplished by Elmwood's attorney leading to a public hearing on the legislation to take place in March.

Elmwood voters rejected a zoning ordinance adopted by the township in
2003 by an overwhelming margin in a referendum vote. Since then efforts to bring an acceptable ordinance to the public has been accompanied by a major re-shuffle of Township Board members by voters in 2004, and a major shake-up of Planning Commission members by the newly elected Supervisor. The campaign against the defeated ordinance centered on the propriety of the densities to be allowed in the rural zoning district.

While the planning commission has worked since April 2006 with its consultant, LSL Associates, to re-work previously written ordinance language, commission Chair Jack Kelly has admitted that the commission has yet to open discussion concerning basic residential densities and development options.

Elmwood's exposure to damages resulting from potential legal challenges stemming from its outmoded and conflict ridden zoning ordinance has been characterized in the past by the township attorney as "horrendous".

The planning commission has finished work on up-dating standards governing development in the township's Rural Resort zoning district, and has completed work on defining an overlay district that would govern the re-use of waterfront buildings in Greilickville.