Meeting Minutes

Mercer County Regional Planning Commission
TUESDAY, April 25, 2006
7:30pm, MCRPC Office, Hermitage

MUNICIPALITY	PRESENT	ABSENT
FARRELL CITY	William Morocco	Jerry Miller
HERMITAGE CITY	Rita Ferringer
	Charles E. Rodgers
SHARON CITY	Stephen Theiss	Darin Flower
		Jennifer Barborak
CLARK BOROUGH		James Carucci, Sr.
		Richard Dunlap
FREDONIA BOROUGH	Patricia McAdams
GREENVILLE BOROUGH	Pete Longiotti	Lisa Holm-Schrader
GROVE CITY BOROUGH		Jeffery P. Black
		Clifford McCandless
JACKSON CENTER BOROUGH		Donald H. Baker
		Robert Egger
JAMESTOWN BOROUGH		Doug McElhaney
MERCER BOROUGH	Jerry Johnson
	Cynthia Hewitt
NEW LEBANON BOROUGH		Janice Good
SANDY LAKE BOROUGH		Robert W. Kaltenbaugh
		Brad Martin
SHARPSVILLE BOROUGH	Guy Moderelli	Thomas Lally
STONEBORO BOROUGH	Samuel A. Scott
WEST MIDDLESEX BOROUGH		Ray Lucich
		Tracy Thompson
WHEATLAND BOROUGH		Bob Davis
		Thomas R. Stanton
COOLSPRING TOWNSHIP		Robert M. Addison
		Robert L. McGhee
DELAWARE TOWNSHIP		Melissa Osborne
		Donald Kremm
EAST LACKAWANNOCK TOWNSHIP		Nancy Givens
FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP		Jane Clark
		Mont Clark
FINDLEY TOWNSHIP	John B. Courtney
	Elliott Lengel
HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP		Kent Williams
JACKSON TOWNSHIP	Oretha Rodgers
	Mary Gealy
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP	Richard H. McCullough	Bert Weston
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP		Dave Beatty
		Ron Faull
NEW VERNON TOWNSHIP	Charles Henderson	Kenneth Dodson
OTTER CREEK TOWNSHIP	Paulette Young	Richard Straub
PERRY TOWNSHIP		Richard Marshall
PINE TOWNSHIP	Fred Brenner	H. Thomas Paxton
PYMATUNING TOWNSHIP		Merle Mason
		Richard Witten
SHENANGO TOWNSHIP		Charles Gilliland
		James Eakin
S. PYMATUNING TOWNSHIP		Joseph Christoff
		Dennis Sump
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP		Judy L. Hassler
		Larry T. Gruntz
WILMINGTON TOWNSHIP	Charles Garrett	Tim Coulter
WOLF CREEK TOWNSHIP	Mark Smith	Mike DiNardo
MERCER COUNTY	James Hughes	Julie Widel
	Jean Hodge	James L. Hogan
	Larry McAdams
	Patty McClusky
	Jeff Fiedler
BOROUGHS ASSOCIATION	Lorraine Jones
SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION		Robert Birtciel
COUNTY COMMISSIONER	Michele Brooks

 

STAFF	OTHERS PRESENT
Dan Gracenin, Executive Director Jeremy Coxe, Assistant Director, Planning Carmen Reichard, Assistant Director, Admin. Brian Barnheizer, Senior Planner Andrew Dash, Planner Matt Stewart, Planner Peggy Heldorfer, Associate Planner	Atty. Ross Cardas Atty. Robert Kochems, Solicitor Phil & Mary Yasnowsky Norbert and Luann Franklin Barry L. and Evan Stein

CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Mark Smith, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Ms. Patty McAdams, Vice-Chairman, led the Commission in the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.

ATTENDANCE SIGN-IN

An attendance sign-in sheet was passed around and representatives present were asked to mark their attendance. A quorum was not present.

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY AGENDA ITEM

There were no public comments.

MINUTES OF THE MARCH 28, 2006 MEETING

A motion was made by Mr. McAdams and seconded by Mr. Lengel to approve the Minutes of the March 28, 2006 meeting with no additions, corrections, or deletions. The motion passed.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

A motion was made by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Longiotti to approve the March 2006 Financial Statement as presented. The motion passed.

STAFF REPORTS

Mr. Barnhizer, Senior Planner noted that a public visioning workshop will be held on April 26^th, 7:00 p.m. at the Hickory High School Cafeteria regarding the development of the Shenango Valley Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan. Interested individuals are encouraged to attend to provide input.

Mr. Coxe, Assistant Director-Planning noted that a public hearing will be held on April 26^th, 6:00 p.m. in Grove City Borough regarding a map amendment to their Joint Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan for an area in Pine Township on Route 208, east of the Borough and also in Springfield Township near the outlet mall. Changes will be made to the future land use map. Information would be available at all five municipalities involved (Liberty, Wolf Creek, Springfield and Pine Townships and Grove City Borough) and also at the MCRPC offices and website. Mr. Coxe stated that on Thursday, April 27^th at the Mercer County Commissioner’s Meeting, a resolution will be presented to the County for adoption of the Mercer County Comprehensive Plan.

Mr. Gracenin noted that Sandy Lake Township was formally approved for membership. Sandy Lake Township will need to adopt by Ordinance the Articles of Agreement, which form the Commission, then make two appointments. Hopefully, they will officially be on board by the end of May or June. He explained that this will affect the formula, for cause of change in municipal membership, for the split between the County and the member municipalities based on an amendment made in 2004 regarding the Articles of Agreement. Mr. Gracenin explained that MCRPC is planning on holding an open house for new members, tentatively scheduled for May 31^st. Invitations will be mailed prior to the open house. Mr. Gracenin updated everyone on the status of resumes received for the open Planner position. Currently we received 10 resumes, with Friday, April 28^th being the last day to receive resumes. The Finance-Personnel Committee will meet within a few weeks, review the resumes and hopefully make a recommendation.

ZONING AND SUBDIVISION REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT

Mr. Gracenin explained that since we are lacking a quorum this evening, all recommendations deemed approved or disapproved by the Zoning and Subdivision Review Committee meeting on April 18^th are properly approved or disapproved. This action was acted on and approved at our January 2006 meeting. Mr. Gracenin noted that we will discuss the items from that meeting, but a vote is not necessary due to a lack of a quorum this evening.

Mr. Scott, Committee Chairman, explained that the Committee met last week, a quorum was present, and took action on the following items:

1. Request for a modification to the Mercer County Subdivision & Land Development Ordinance - of Article II (definitions) for lands of Robert E. Reagle at 4-B Lane, Sandy Lake Township. This modification was requested so that Mr. Regale can add his mobile home to his parents’ property, which currently has a mobile home on it. Under the Mercer County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance definitions, two or more mobile homes on one lot are considered Mobile Home Parks. Mr. Scott noted that the Committee recommended approving the modification to the Mercer County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance for Robert E. Reagle. This motion stands, since a vote is not necessary due to a lack of a quorum this evening.

2. Request for a modification to the Mercer County Subdivision & Land Development Ordinance – of Article VII, Section 703 (d.6.): Storm water management requirements for a mobile home park. The mobile home park was developed prior to storm water requirements. The deed would include easements to allow storm water runoff to cross the remaining land of Householder. Mr. Scott noted that the Committee recommended approving the modification to the Mercer County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance for Mr. & Mrs. Householder, to exempt the property from the storm water requirements, with specific language concerning the storm water easements to be contained in the deed. This motion stands, since a vote is not necessary due to a lack of a quorum this evening.

3. Request for a modification to the Mercer County Subdivision & Land Development Ordinance - Article IV, Section 407 (3.f.1.): requiring an access strip of 50’ in width for two lots and additional developable land. Mrs. Jordan made this request to allow for a smaller access strip than the required 50’ (the current right-of-way/access strip is approximately 35’), which has access onto another exiting right-of-way over property onto Tait Road. Mr. Scott noted that the Committee recommended denying, by a 4 to 3 vote, the modification request to the Mercer County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance for Mrs. Jordan. This motion stands, since a vote is not necessary due to a lack of a quorum this evening. Mr. Ross Cardas, Attorney for Mrs. Jordan explained that Lot 1-A, a 13.59 acre parcel was originally approved as a subdivided lot by the MCRPC in 1976. At that time, Lot 1-A had two residences on that parcel with no access for the two homes and there was nothing in the deed. In 1993, a title search was completed for the Jordan’s and there was concern why there was no access strip/right-of-way for the two homes. A right-of-way agreement was written at that time to obtain access onto another existing right-of-way over property onto Tait Road. Mrs. Jordan would like to sell the 13.59 acres, but the prospective buyers’ lender would not go forward unless they only want to tie up one of the properties with the main home. Attorney Cardas explained that none of the adjoining property owners are in any way negatively impacted by the right-of-way being the width that it is. Attorney Cardas felt that MCRPC is reinforcing the policies of the Ordinance, but felt MCRPC was coming dangerous close to an arbitrary decision and unreasonable interpretation given the fact of this situation. Ms. Ferringer felt that maybe we could change the rules in order to put in another access. Mr. Gracenin explained that this is not an arbitrary decision. The reason for the decision from the MCRPC was concerns over the fact that the 13.59 acres could be sold off for future subdivisions. Mr. Gracenin explained that Mrs. Jordan could request another modification, which could be reviewed again at a future meeting.

4. Rezoning request by Mr. Stein (Property of Franklin) – City of Hermitage – to rezone approximately 3.2 acres with frontage on North Hermitage Road (PA18) from IN –Institutional to CC-1 Central Commercial. The rezoning request would allow commercial uses to be developed on the property. Mr. Scott noted that the Committee recommended approving the rezoning by a 4 to 3 vote. This motion stands, since a vote is not necessary due to a lack of a quorum this evening. Mr. Gracenin explained this same rezoning request came before for the Commission back in 2003 and was recommended for denial to the Hermitage Board of Commissioners due to major concern from the school district, which is directly behind the property. At that time, the Hermitage Board of Commissioners also denied the rezoning. Mr. Gracenin explained that the Hermitage Planning Commission reviewed this request two weeks ago and they recommended approval. Mr. Gracenin also explained that this is a zoning issue, and not a land use issue. Ms. Ferringer questioned if MCRPC sends letters to the respective municipalities noting the recommendations made at these meetings. Mr. Gracenin explained that MCRPC does send letters stating the recommendations made at the meetings.

5. Request to amend the text of the City of Hermitage Zoning Ordinance – to add regulations for the placement and design of communication towers and communication antennas. Mr. Scott noted that the Committee recommended approving the amendments to the City of Hermitage Zoning Ordinance. This motion stands, since a vote is not necessary due to a lack of a quorum this evening.

6. Request to amend the text of the Borough of Grove City Zoning Ordinance – to change the existing standards for canopies and marquees in the C Central Commercial Zoning District in order to make them less restrictive. Mr. Scott noted that the Committee recommended approving the amendment to the Borough of Grove City Zoning Ordinance. This motion stands, since a vote is not necessary due to a lack of a quorum this evening.

7. Request to add property maintenance guidelines to the text of the Borough of Stoneboro Zoning Ordinance – The firm responsible for permit inspections under the Uniform Construction Code recommended that the Borough adopt these guidelines, which are modeled after the guidelines put in place by the Borough of Mercer. The guidelines adopted by the Borough of Mercer were adopted as a stand-alone ordinance in 2004, not as a part of the zoning ordinance. Mr. Scott noted that the Committee recommended approving the addition to the Borough of Stoneboro Zoning Ordinance, but with the recommendation that the Borough consider approving the guidelines as a separate ordinance. This motion stands, since a vote is not necessary due to a lack of a quorum this evening.

ADJOURNMENT

With no further business or discussion, the meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.

Submitted and Certified By:

Charles Garrett, Secretary - MCRPC

 

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

 

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