Submitted by Leona Baker, Historical Society of Salisbury Township

In 1729, Lancaster County was formed from the westernmost lands of Chester County. But long before that, the relentless western migration of pioneers had passed through the area, noting the rich soil and plentiful water. Many bought land and developed the prosperous farms we see today. Others settled into those commercial industries that an agrarian society needs, including millers, forgers, cattlemen and innkeepers.

From the start, Salisbury Township has been governed by a board of supervisors to make policy decisions on government services, policies and finances. It is important to remember that the supervisors are elected by the citizens of Salisbury Township. We must, therefore, respect their obligation to follow the ordinances of not only the township but also those of Lancaster County and state and federal governmental agencies. It is a delicate balancing act, at best. These elected officials deserve our utmost respect.

Currently, across Lancaster County, there is a growing need for upgrading and modernizing the policies of each township, planning for what will surely be massive changes in how we live in the not-too-distant future.

Although there has been little increase in population in Salisbury Township in the recent past, as people move west from the increasingly congested counties around us, Salisbury Township supervisors are charged with looking ahead to provide accommodations for housing, as well as commercial and industrial growth, well into the future.

The process of zoning consists of dividing a particular region of land into districts or zones, then specifying the types of land uses that are allowed or prohibited for each zone. Municipal governments can institute highly specific zoning ordinances to influence the nature of land use.

Basically, there are four common types of real estate zones: residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial.

Apartment houses and rental communities are in the residential zone, yes, but they are also commercial because they are owned and operated as businesses. These areas are designated for housing and are often divided further into subcategories like single-family residential, multifamily residential and mixed-use residential.

As the name suggests, commercial zones are dedicated to businesses and commerce.

Agricultural zones are reserved for agricultural and farming activities. Fields, orchards and pastures fall under this category, ensuring that food production remains possible but contained in specific areas.

Industrial zones house factories, warehouses and manufacturing facilities. These areas tend to be strategically placed to minimize noise and traffic disruptions to residential and commercial areas.

Presently, a Growth Area is being talked about in Salisbury Township for future development. This is something the supervisors have to consider while they are also charged with maintaining the rich agricultural, cultural and aesthetic heritage of this township.

We, as citizens, do have an opportunity to share our opinions with the supervisors regarding the proposed changes to this agriculturally rich valley. The supervisors will have to consider all possible ramifications to the environment when forging new ordinances.

Some information gathered for this column came from http://www.biscred.com and http://www.americansforthearts.org.