Know your zoning options!

In making that critical decision to purchase the right property for development, it is important to know what each municipality permits to develop. In many cases, the more experienced developer can tell right away the difference between a residential zoned vacant land and a commercially zoned vacant land. However, sometimes there are situations where even properties located in a commercially zoned area do not have consistent zoning.

Throughout the state of Pennsylvania, when certain municipalities are more lax with zoning, any parcels that are located on a state road typically have open zoning. Therefore, commercial use of vacant land is easier to obtain than municipalities with more defined zoning laws.

For our property, the developed part of the land has an R-2 zone. In some municipalities, that would mean a medium density residential development zone. The nice thing about an R-2 zone is that the developer is not restricted to only single family housing. That would typically be an R-1 zone.  Instead, the developer has other options like residential based development that is more commercial in nature, but would not require much overall land use of a given parcel. For example, a hotel or motel can be constructed on an R-2 zone as designated by this municipality which is Paradise Township. Retirement facilities and group homes can also be built.

It is also possible to use the R-2 zone for constructing schools such as elementary or secondary education schools or even colleges. So, if you are looking for that right property with great advertising exposure and location, we should discuss future options together!