Lancaster County Council chairman to step down in fall

The chairman of the Lancaster County Council is stepping down this fall when his term expires.

Bob Bundy, a first-term member representing District 3, said this week he would step aside after the November election and is encouraging other residents of the northeastern section of Lancaster County to take his place.

“I wanted to go ahead (and announce) so anyone who’s thinking about it can start running,” Bundy said.

Bundy has been on the council since 2012. A longtime teacher in Lancaster County, Bundy currently teaches chemistry and biology at USC Lancaster. He plans to retire from his teaching duties this year and will turn over his council duties at the same time.

The chairman said he’s proud of what he was able to accomplish in his time in public office. In his final year on the council, he hopes to complete work organizing an economic development department for Lancaster County and revise the county’s zoning ordinance to take on surging growth, especially in the Indian Land panhandle.

“A lot needs to be considered,” Bundy said. “As a county, we have high-growth areas, and then you have open countryside like my area that’s much less densely populated.”

Bundy’s District 3 stretches from the outskirts of Lancaster east to the Chesterfield County line and the North Carolina border, including the communities of Buford, Unity and Tradesville. The incumbent said he doesn’t know of anyone else running for the open seat, but plans to actively recruit a replacement.

Filing for the seat will be open March 16 to March 30.

This story was originally published January 29, 2016 at 4:51 PM with the headline "Lancaster County Council chairman to step down in fall."