Mercer County Regional Planning Commission, Hermitage, Pennsylvania

 

Zoning & Subdivision Review Committee

Meeting Minutes

Tuesday – September 19, 2006 – 6:30 p.m. at the MCRPC Offices
2491 Highland Road – Hermitage, PA (724) 981-2412

MEMBERS PRESENT & OTHERS PRESENT

  • Larry McAdams, Vice-Chairman

  • Chuck Garrett

  • James Hogan

  • Ron Faull

  • James Hughes

  • Lisa Holm Schrader, Planner

  • Peggy Heldorfer, Associate Planner

  • Norm Straub, Surveyor

Mr. McAdams, Vice-Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. A quorum was present. Mr. McAdams noted that the Minutes of the July 18, 2006 meeting were mailed prior to tonight’s meeting. A motion was made by Mr. Hughes and seconded by Mr. Garrett to approve the Minutes of the July 18, 2006 meeting with no additions, corrections, or deletions. The motion passed.

N E W B U S I N E S S

1. Modification Request – Leonard V. Kedanis Estate – Pine Township – Ms. Schrader explained to Committee members that the Estate of Leonard V. Kedanis is requesting a modification to the Mercer County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, Page 21, Section 403.3, #5 regarding the depth of a lot shall not exceed four times the width (4:1). She explained that there are a number of lots along Cranberry Road, which initially started with 3 lots. One lot along the street is being subdivided because there are two residences on the lot. Another lot to the rear is being subdivided and adjoined to the lots fronting the street. She stated that the reason for the modification is that once the north lot is adjoined to the adjacent lot to the rear, the total lot would not meet the 4:1 ratio. Mr. Straub explained the history of this property. He noted that the two strips of land behind these lots were reserved when the large lot in back was sold. Mr. Kedanis inherited this property from his sister, who inherited the farm. Mr. Kedanis had ownership of the strip of land in back plus the lot which this farm house sits on and the next one adjacent. Mr. Kedanis has passed away and his widow is subdividing the two strips in back to his children and the son is getting the farm house. Mrs. Kedanis would only like a little property behind her garage.

Committee members discussed if there were any other options to this subdivision. There being none, a motion was made by Mr. Hogan to recommend approving the modification request. Mr. Garrett seconded. The motion passed.

2. Modification Request – Kevin L. McIntire – Worth Township – Ms. Heldorfer explained that this item was withdrawn from the agenda.

OTHER NEW BUSINESS

1. Non-Building Lot plan note – Ms. Schrader explained that at the July 18, 2006 meeting of the Committee, discussion was held with Attorney Kochems regarding the use and validity of the non-building lot note. Since that time, the non-building waiver plan note was revised per discussion with Attorney Kochems, Solicitor for MCRPC, and Cyndi Selby, who reviews sewage planning for DEP. The updated "non-building waiver plan note" was distributed to Committee members to review. (A copy is attached to and made a part of the permanent record of Minutes.) Ms. Schrader stated that if this note seems acceptable to the Committee, we would send a letter to the surveyors and other interested parties notifying them that this note be placed on the plans for non-building lots. Ms. Schrader stated that this will be handled administratively until we make a more thorough update to the Mercer County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance at the beginning of 2007. There being no additions or corrections to the non-building waiver plan note, a motion was made by Mr. Hughes to recommend sending a letter to the surveyors and other interested parties notifying them of this note being on the plans. Mr. Hogan seconded. The motion passed.

2. Subdivision Fees for Non-Profit Organizations – Ms. Schrader explained that over the years we have had a couple of requests from non-profit organizations requesting that they be exempt from the subdivision fees as we already allow that municipalities be exempt from the subdivision fees. MCRPC staff discussed this issue and stated that they will annually review three (3) minor subdivisions at no cost for non-profit agencies. The reviews will be on a first come first serve basis. Each agency will only be allowed one (1) no fee minor subdivision per calendar year.

3. Additional Discussion – Mr. Garrett from Wilmington Township stated that their Zoning Hearing Board will be holding a hearing this evening on changing the height requirement for a building from 35’ to 75’. Ms. Schrader stated that this would be a concern for their fire department for fire protection and water pressure as well at that height. Mr. Straub, P.E., indicated that the water pressure would likely only reach about 40 feet based upon information from Mr. Garrett. Mr. Garrett indicated he did not feel that their fire department would not be able to handle this.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to conduct, the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa Holm Schrader,

Planner

 

Mercer County Regional Planning Commission
2491 Highland Road, Hermitage, PA 16148
mail@mcrpc.com    www.mcrpc.com

 

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