The local politics in W. Pennsylvania is the fly in the ointment. Most local politcos in this area are 4th generation progressive Democrat. Add to that, the coal miner union mentality and you have the formula for keeping everyone poor and dependent on government. There’s a “town meeting” somewhere every damn week, featuring some college professor who has the proof that fracking ruins the water table, causes cancer and two headed children. IOW, there’s not much that’s dumber than W. PA.
It’s worth repeating, but you’re not alone. All zoning laws, along with licensing/permitting are tools to control individual liberty. They form a local tyranny as bad as anything Obama’s doing.
They’re used by politicians to please crony capitalists and maintain the status quo. Bureaucrats love them because they remove any thinking or responsibility.
“...there’s not much that’s dumber than W. PA.”
You mean other than E. PA?