Meeting Minutes
Mercer County Regional Planning
Commission
TUESDAY, May 23, 2006
7:30pm, MCRPC Office, Hermitage
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MUNICIPALITY
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PRESENT
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ABSENT
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FARRELL CITY
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William Morocco
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Jerry Miller
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HERMITAGE CITY
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Rita
Ferringer
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Charles E. Rodgers
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SHARON CITY
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Stephen Theiss
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Darin Flower
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Jennifer Barborak
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CLARK BOROUGH
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Richard Dunlap
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James Carucci, Sr.
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FREDONIA BOROUGH
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Patricia McAdams
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GREENVILLE BOROUGH
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Pete Longiotti
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GROVE CITY BOROUGH
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Lisa Holm-Schrader
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Jeffery P. Black
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Clifford McCandless
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JACKSON CENTER BOROUGH
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Donald H. Baker
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Robert Egger
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JAMESTOWN BOROUGH
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Doug
McElhaney
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MERCER BOROUGH
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Jerry Johnson
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Cynthia Hewitt
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NEW LEBANON BOROUGH
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Janice Good
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SANDY LAKE BOROUGH
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Robert W. Kaltenbaugh
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Brad
Martin
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SHARPSVILLE BOROUGH
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Guy Moderelli
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Thomas Lally
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STONEBORO BOROUGH
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Samuel A. Scott
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WEST MIDDLESEX BOROUGH
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Ray Lucich
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Tracy Thompson |
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WHEATLAND BOROUGH
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Bob
Davis |
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Thomas R. Stanton
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COOLSPRING TOWNSHIP
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Robert L. McGhee |
Robert M. Addison
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DELAWARE TOWNSHIP
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Melissa Osborne
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Donald Kremm
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EAST LACKAWANNOCK TOWNSHIP
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Nancy Givens
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FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP
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Jane Clark
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Mont Clark
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FINDLEY TOWNSHIP
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John B. Courtney
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Elliott Lengel
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HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP
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Kent Williams
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JACKSON TOWNSHIP
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Oretha Rodgers
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Mary Gealy
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JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP
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Bert Weston
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Richard H. McCullough
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LIBERTY TOWNSHIP
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Dave Beatty
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Ron Faull
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NEW VERNON TOWNSHIP
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Kenneth Dodson
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Charles Henderson
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OTTER CREEK TOWNSHIP
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Paulette Young
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Richard Straub
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PERRY TOWNSHIP
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Richard Marshall
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PINE TOWNSHIP
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H. Thomas Paxton
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Fred
Brenner
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PYMATUNING TOWNSHIP
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Walter
L. Weir, Jr.
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Richard Witten
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SHENANGO TOWNSHIP
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James
Eakin
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Charles Gilliland
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S. PYMATUNING TOWNSHIP
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Joseph Christoff
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Dennis Sump
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SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP
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Judy
L. Hassler
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Larry T. Gruntz
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WILMINGTON TOWNSHIP
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Charles Garrett
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Tim Coulter
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WOLF CREEK TOWNSHIP
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Mark Smith
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Mike DiNardo
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MERCER COUNTY
|
James Hughes |
Julie Widel |
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Jean Hodge
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James L. Hogan
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Larry McAdams
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Jeff Fiedler
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Patty McClusky
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BOROUGHS ASSOCIATION
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Lorraine Jones
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SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION
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Robert Birtciel
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COUNTY COMMISSIONER
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Michele Brooks
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STAFF
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OTHERS PRESENT
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Dan Gracenin, Executive Director
Jeremy Coxe, Assistant Director, Planning
Carmen
Reichard, Assistant Director, Admin.
Brian Barnheizer, Senior Planner
Matt
Stewart, Planner
Peggy Heldorfer, Associate Planner
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Atty. Robert Kochems, Solicitor
Brian Beader, Mercer Co. Commissioner
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CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Mark Smith, Chairman,
called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE
Mrs. 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 present.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY AGENDA
ITEM
There were no public comments.
RATIFICATION OF ACTIONS TAKEN
WITHOUT A QUORUM AT THE APRIL MEETING AND MINUTES OF THE APRIL 25, 2006
MEETING
A motion was made by Mr. Faull
and seconded by Mr. Morocco to ratify the actions taken at the April 25, 2006
meeting and to approve the Minutes of the April 25, 2006 meeting with no
additions, corrections, or deletions. The motion passed.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
A motion was made by Mrs.
McAdams and seconded by Mrs. Hassler to approve the April 2006 Financial
Statement as presented. The motion passed.
STAFF REPORTS
Mr. Gracenin explained that
MCRPC staff would be holding an Open House/Orientation on Wednesday, May 31,
2006 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. for MCRPC representatives and Municipal Officials
to meet the staff and see what MCRPC does. Next, Mr. Gracenin explained that
he recently attended an Official Map Workshop in Edinboro, PA. The Official
Map is defined in Article 4 of the PA Municipalities Planning Code and can
serve as a valuable tool in implementing a community’s comprehensive plan
and capital improvement plan. He noted that the Official Map Workshop can help
elected officials understand the purpose of an Official Map and how an
Official Map is prepared, adopted and implemented. The Official Map and
Ordinance identifies specific parcels or portions of private property within a
municipality where open spaces are desired for parks, playgrounds, etc., or
where public improvements, such as streets, road widening, etc., are
envisioned. It also demonstrates the intent of the governing body to acquire
land for these municipal purposes.
ZONING AND SUBDIVISION REVIEW
COMMITTEE REPORT
Mr. Scott, Committee Chairman,
explained that the Committee met last week, a quorum was present, and took
action on the following items:
1. Subdivision Modification
Request – Coolspring Township –
Ms. Tammie Jordan is requesting a modification to the Mercer County
Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, Article IV, Section 407 (3.f.1)
requiring an access strip of 50’ in width. This modification was requested
to allow Ms. Jordan to subdivide the existing property (Lots 1-A & 1-B) in
order to receive a new mortgage on the property, which is being required by
the lending agency. The property is currently accessed via an approximately 35’
wide access strip. A motion was made by Mr. Scott and seconded by Mr. McAdams
to approve the modification request pending the attorney/surveyor adding a
note to the plan stating that the modification was granted for Lots 1-A &
1-B only. The motion passed.
2. Map Change – City of
Sharon – Mr. Scott explained that we
received a request from the City of Sharon for a revision to the proposed City
of Sharon Zoning Ordinance. The revision would change the current zoning of
R-1 on three properties (the old Westinghouse Parking Lot) to C-2. The current
properties although zoned R-1 are used as parking lots. Parking lots as a
primary use are not permitted in the R-1 District. A motion was made by Mr.
Scott and seconded by Ms. McCluskey to approve the revised City of Sharon
Zoning Ordinance. In discussion, Mr. McCandless stated that at the Committee
meeting, this was not a unanimous vote. Some members did not see any reason
why this zoning should be changed. He stated that parking lots are
grandfathered in as a parking lot and if we change the zoning, they can put
anything in under the C-2 zone. Mr. Gracenin stated that there was a lot of
discussion regarding this at the Committee meeting. He stated that this became
an issue during the first reading of the Ordinance, Sharon City Council and
Attorney Madden realized that the back half of the property, which are parking
lots, are not permitted in the Residential "R-1" Zoning District.
Mr. Gracenin noted that the City of Sharon is requesting a map change to
include the parking lots in the C-2 District. Ms. Barborak, from Sharon City
Council, stated that the only thing that was clarified at a work session
meeting was that 2 of the 3 parking lots are not currently being used as a
parking lot, so they have fallen back into the Residential "R-1"
Zoning District because they have not been used for 5 years. She noted that
Sharon City Council is considering creating a new zoning district,
"C-3", which would be strictly for parking lots. Mr. McCandless had
concerns over the fact that if we would change the current zoning to C-2,
these parking lots could be sold and some business could move in. Attorney
Kochems stated that there may be an issue with 2 of the 3 parking lots not
being used as parking lots and under most older zoning ordinances, if you do
not use them for a period of time there is a lease dispute of whether they are
considered parking lots and not grandfathered in as a parking lot. After
discussion, Mr. Smith stated that there is a motion on the floor to approve
the map change from R-1 to C-2 on all 3 parking lots. He asked members that
were in favor of this map change to show their hands. There were 7 in favor of
this map change. He then asked members that were opposed to this map change to
show their hands. There were 22 who were opposed to this map change. A motion
was made by Mr. Courtney to deny the original recommendation. Mr. Eakin
seconded. The motion passed to deny this map change.
FINANCE-PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
REPORT
Mr. Gracenin explained that
the Finance-Personnel Committee met prior to tonight’s meeting to discuss
the status on the job search to fill the vacant planner position. He stated
that many resumes were received. He also noted that the Committee was
presented an opportunity to hire somebody in the position on a part time
basis. The Committee has an interest in hiring somebody on a part time basis,
but there are still some discussions that still need to be made. According to
the Commission’s Bylaws, all that is required is an approval to hire
somebody part time to fill that position. The Committee recessed their meeting
to attend the full Commission meeting and will reconvene following the full
Commission meeting to discuss salary issues, etc. Mr. Gracenin stated that a
motion is needed to hire a part time position to fill the open Planner
position. In discussion, a question was raised as to whether a part time
position would be able to complete the necessary work. Mr. Gracenin stated
that the part time position would be 30 hours per week, with the ability to
work additional hours up to 35 hours per week. Mr. Gracenin explained that a
full time salary employee of the Commission works 35 hours per week. Mr.
Gracenin also noted that a part time employee would not be eligible for
benefits, other than potentially pension. He noted that the Commission’s
pension has changed their rules in 2003 regarding permanent part time
employees which could potentially qualify for pension. A motion was made by
Mr. Beatty to approve hiring somebody part time to fill the Planner position.
Ms. Jones seconded. The motion passed with Mr. Morocco voting no.
SUMMER PICNIC
Mr. Gracenin explained that
MCRPC has annually held a summer picnic since 1995 and asked if members were
interested in holding a summer picnic sometime in late June. Members were
interested in holding a summer picnic. A motion was made by Mr. Scott and
seconded by Ms. Jones to hold a summer picnic. It was suggested that we hold
the picnic on the fourth Tuesday in June (June 27th) and to see if
Brandy Springs Park or the 4-H Park would be available. Mr. Gracenin explained
that MCRPC will work on arranging the place, time and caterer, with
invitations to follow.
AUTHORIZATION FOR COMMITTEES
TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE FULL COMMISSION WHEN NOT MEETING IN SUMMER MONTHS
Mr. Smith explained that the
full Commission does not meet in June, July and August, but would need to
authorize the Committees of the Commission to act on behalf of the full
Commission. A motion was made by Mr. Paxton and seconded by Mr. McGhee to
authorize the Committees of the Commission to act on behalf of the full
Commission for the months of June, July and August. The motion passed.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business or
discussion, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 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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