Mercer County Regional Planning Commission

Meeting Minutes

Mercer County Regional Planning Commission Meeting
Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 25, 2001 - 7:30 PM
MCRPC Office, Hermitage

MUNICIPALITY

PRESENT

ABSENT

FARRELL CITY

Jerry Miller

Mark A. Petrillo

HERMITAGE CITY

James Pat White

James A. Rollinson

Rita Ferringer

SHARON CITY

Frank Smeraglia

George Gulla

Lou Rotunno

CLARK BOROUGH

Russell Shaffer

James Carucci, Jr.

FREDONIA BOROUGH

Larry McAdams

Patricia McAdams

GREENVILLE BOROUGH

Burroughs Price

GROVE CITY BOROUGH

Clifford McCandless

JACKSON CENTER BOROUGH

Todd Sturgeon

JAMESTOWN BOROUGH

Darryl Pinney

Doug McElhaney

MERCER BOROUGH

Jim Carnes

Jerry Johnson

NEW LEBANON BOROUGH

Janice Good

Mary A. Ziegler

SANDY LAKE BOROUGH

Carol Paul

Robert W. Kaltenbaugh

SHARPSVILLE BOROUGH

Alex Kovach

Bob Piccirilli

STONEBORO BOROUGH

Samuel A. Scott

WEST MIDDLESEX BOROUGH

Raymond Lucich, Jr.

Linda Bollinger

WHEATLAND BOROUGH

Ray Foster

Thomas R. Stanton

FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP

Jane Clark

Mont Clark

FINDLEY TOWNSHIP

John B. Courtney

Elliott Lengel

HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP

Russell L. Dawes

Pamela Brown

JACKSON TOWNSHIP

Linda L. Baun

Mary Gealy

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP

Bert Weston

Robert F. Angermeier

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP

Dave Beatty

Ron Faull

NEW VERNON TOWNSHIP

Albert W. Law

Frank Cochran

OTTER CREEK TOWNSHIP

Richard Straub

Paulette Young

PERRY TOWNSHIP

Richard Marshall

PINE TOWNSHIP

H. Thomas Paxton

Fred Brenner

PYMATUNING TOWNSHIP

Joseph A. Selnekovic

James F. Rowe

SHENANGO TOWNSHIP



Mathew Frontino

Kristen Robinson

S. PYMATUNING TOWNSHIP

Mourice Waltz

Mike Nashtock

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP

Larry T. Gruntz

Judy L. Hassler

WILMINGTON TOWNSHIP

Jeff Hoy

Charles Garrett

WOLF CREEK TOWNSHIP

Jim Morton

Mark Smith

MERCER COUNTY

Richard A. Mackell

Ethel Friede

Jean Hodge

Tom Jack

James L. Hogan

BOROUGHS ASSOCIATION

David George

SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION

Kenneth Seamans

COUNTY COMMISSIONER

Brian Shipley

STAFF

OTHERS PRESENT

Dennis G. Puko, Executive Director

Don Blakesley, Recycling Coordinator
Jeremy Coxe, Planner
Fred Frank, Planner
Carmen Reichard, Program Administrator

Attorney Robert G. Kochems, Solicitor

CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Ron Faull, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mr. Larry 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.

MINUTES OF THE MAY 22, 2001 MEETING

A motion was made by Mr. Stanton and seconded by Mr. Beatty to approve the Minutes of the May 22, 2001 meeting with no additions, corrections, or deletions. The motion passed.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

A motion was made by Mr. George and seconded by Mr. Paxton to approve the August 2001 Financial Statement as presented. The motion passed.

STAFF REPORTS

Mr. Frank noted that during the summer, the Zoning and Subdivision Review Committee and MCRPC staff had been reviewing the "draft" Mercer County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, and took the Committee’s recommendations along with staff comments and presented them to our consultant. After meeting with the consultants, a second draft was presented to MCRPC and is currently being reviewed. The next step is to schedule 3 focus groups and to meet with realtors, surveyors and municipal officials and continue the process from there. He noted that the Hempfield Township Zoning Ordinance revisions were presented to the Township in July, which were then approved and became effective on August 17, 2001. He noted that the Otter Creek Township Zoning Ordinance revision process update would begin on October 10, 2001.

Mr. Blakesley noted that the countywide depot system is on schedule and they are checking out possible sites to locate the 10 depots. Despite assurances from DEP, neither the grant contract nor letter arrived yet. Although not definite, the April 2002 start-up date for the system may have to be pushed back to June 2002. He also noted that the SWA Grant Program, which started this year, has been very successful. Sixteen applications were received totaling $26,238 with fifteen being approved totaling $18,998. He stated that the 902 grant submission closes October 4^th. DEP has added a new requirement under the 902 grants. If a municipality puts in an application for collection equipment, processing, other than education, they will have to have a "no burn ordinance for recycled materials" in their municipality, or they will not receive a grant.

Mr. Coxe noted that the Mercer County Municipal Solid Waste Management Plan was approved on July 17, 2001, and all 48 municipalities would receive a copy. This plan would manage solid waste and recycling for the next 10 years in Mercer County in order to increase recycling to 35% and to continue to reduce solid waste. Under this plan, there are nine facilities that can legally receive Mercer County municipal solid waste. Mercer County generates about 100,000 tons of municipal solid waste a year. He also noted that he continues to update the MCRPC web page and encouraged everyone to visit the site.

Mr. Puko noted that due to Julie Widel leaving the Commission and not hiring anyone to replace her, apologized that there was no progress report provided tonight. He noted that the Finance-Personnel Committee would be meeting soon to interview two possible candidates for the open position. He also noted that in conjunction with the Commission’s Municipal Retirement System, which the employees are covered under, MCRPC is required every year to inform the Commission about the cost of this program. Next year, the Commission’s obligation would be $11,992.00, which is a little less than this years cost, and below what it had been in the past mainly because the program has been having such good earnings, which has reduced the Commission’s share. He explained that the regional planning meetings have been going well on the Mercer County Comprehensive Plan update with the Pitt-GSPIA project. He noted that the Route 18 North Land Use and Traffic Study was completed and PennDOT praised MCRPC and Hermitage for our work and asked if we would be interested in doing a show and tell at the upcoming Statewide Transportation Partners Meeting in Philadelphia in late October. He also noted that Mercer Borough’s Zoning Ordinance is now in draft form with consideration for adoption soon. He stated that Springfield Township has finally adopted their Zoning Ordinance. Finally, he noted that the PPA Annual Conference would be held on October 14-16 in Wilkes-Barre with 3 staff members attending this conference. If anyone is interested in attending, he has information available concerning this conference.

RATIFICATION OF COMMITTEE ACTIONS DURING SUMMER

Mr. Faull noted that various committees met and we need to ratify the actions taken by the Committees on behalf of the full Commission during the months of June, July and August (a summary sheet of committee actions is attached to and made a part of the permanent record of Minutes). A motion was made by Mr. Scott and seconded by Mr. Mackell to ratify the Committees’ actions during the summer. The motion passed with John Courtney abstaining.

ZONING & SUBDIVISION REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT

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

1. Preliminary Subdivision for Mystic Landing Estates (Phase One) - Hempfield Township – Mr. Scott noted that this subdivision is located on Hamburg Road, south of Greenville. Phase One of the plan calls for 46 residential units on 14 lots (12 single-family lots and 2 multi-family lots) plus new street and utilities. The plan meets all the requirements for a major subdivision preliminary plan. A motion was made by Mr. Scott and seconded by Ms. Hodge to approve the Preliminary Plan for Phase One. The motion passed.

2. Zoning Map Amendment – City of Hermitage – Mr. Scott noted that the Committee reviewed a rezoning request by Hudson Holding Company to rezone .567-acres on the southwest corner of Dutch Lane and Highland Road from General Residential (R-2-75) to High Density Residential (R-4) for an office building. There was concern expressed that a rezoning to R-4 would constitute a spot zoning issue since there are no other R-4 zones in the area. Rezoning the parcel to Institutional (IN) was discussed because it would be an extension of a zone. A motion was made by Mr. Scott and seconded by Mr. Foster to deny the requested rezoning and move approval to rezone the parcel to Institutional. The motion passed.

3. Zoning Map Amendment – Jackson Township – Mr. Scott noted that the Committee reviewed a rezoning request by Richard J. Tice to rezone 17.67-acres along I-79, south of Jackson Commerce Park from Rural Residential/Agricultural (R-1) to Industrial (I) to construct a billboard. There was discussion that if this parcel were rezoned to accommodate a billboard that similar rezoning request would occur along I-79. A motion was made by Mr. Scott and seconded by Mr. Beatty to deny this requested rezoning. The motion passed.

4. Zoning Text Amendment – Wheatland Borough – Mr. Scott noted that the Committee reviewed a request to amend the Wheatland Borough Zoning Ordinance to include provisions for a Special District for adult entertainment. The provisions include separation distances from residential, schools, and churches similar to those found in other recently updated Zoning Ordinances. A motion was made by Mr. Scott and seconded by Mr. Stanton to approve this amendment. The motion passed.

5. Request to write a letter to the State Licensing Board – Mr. Scott noted that the Committee requests to write a letter to the State Licensing Board concerning the Ronald Bittler hearing, asking if additional evidence should be provided by MCRPC for subdivision infractions by Mr. Bittler and urging a decision on the case. A motion was made by Mr. Scott and seconded by Mr. Hogan to approve this request. The motion passed.

FINANCE-PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT

Mr. Puko noted that this Committee was asked to meet prior to tonight’s meeting in regards to the termination of employment of Joe Noga. Mr. Noga worked for 15 years as Rodent Control Specialist for MCRPC. Mr. Noga had been observed on duty by Ms. Reichard and another individual, to judge his performance and felt he was no longer physically or mentally capable of performing his job. His deficient abilities are of serious concern because he handles hazardous materials and spends much time on the job driving an automobile. Mr. Puko noted that Mr. Noga was not terminated because he was 84 years old, but because he was not capable of performing the duties as prescribed. Mr. Noga filed a complaint with the PA Human Relations Commission that the Commission discriminated against him. A fact finding meeting was held with the PA Human Relations Commission in Pittsburgh last week and they expressed two concerns: that it did appear that his age was a factor and Mr. Noga’s attorney contested that he was capable of doing the job. The PA Human Relations Commission offered a settlement, which the Commission accepted to pay one year’s pay ($4,368), on the condition of receiving a full and complete release of further claims. The Committee recommended paying Mr. Noga one year’s pay. A motion was made by Mr. Hoy and seconded by Ms. McAdams to approve paying Mr. Noga one year’s pay ($4,368), on the condition of receiving a full and complete release of further claims. Mr. Puko stated that this settlement does not imply that the Commission is guilty. This is something that the Commission felt was necessary and wanted to protect the public interest. The motion passed.

UPDATE OF MERCER COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

Mr. Puko stated that the Commission is beginning to prepare a work program for an update of the 1996 Mercer County Comprehensive Plan. The update is required by last summer’s new state planning laws. Work may also include integrating cooperative multi-municipal cooperative plans for various regions within the county, which MCRPC has been studying along with the University of Pitt-GSPIA. (The work program options and required content for a comprehensive plan summary sheets are attached to and made a part of the permanent record of Minutes). MCRPC would also like to include the County natural heritage inventory in the update of the County Comprehensive Plan. He also stated that the state has asked if we are interested in preparing a greenways plan, which could be included in this update. Several communities have showed interest in stormwater management plans. The potential work program could be large, requiring outside funding and additional professional help. Several state programs can provide funding support. The staff feels it would be valuable to incorporate a couple of these elements into a big project and the state would help fund this to get it underway. The Commission is open to suggestions in designing a program and putting an application in by years end or the beginning of next year.

OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Puko stated that back in April the Commission gave a preliminary okay to pursue interest with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council on the Growing Greener Project. MCRPC would prepare conservation development regulations for incorporation into the County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. These regulations would be optional. In other words, a developer would have a choice of meeting the conventional development standards now in the ordinance or meeting the proposed conservation development standards. (A summary sheet is attached to and made a part of the permanent record of Minutes). The estimated cost of the project is $10,000. The cost would be for a consultant contract to perform the work. The PEC has two pre-approved planning consultants, which MCRPC would utilize: Pashek Associates from Pittsburgh and Graney, Grossman, Ray & Associates from Grove City. MCRPC will contract with these consultants. PEC would provide 50% funding of cash costs associated with the project. He noted that this project would be valuable towards the County Comprehensive Plan and is looking for authorization to proceed with this project under these terms. A motion was made by Mr. Courtney and seconded by Mr. McElhaney to proceed with this project and give authorization of an agreement with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council for the Growing Greener Project assuming funds are available. The motion passed.

Mr. Puko informed the Commission that Lee Tharp and Paul Mehalko submitted letters of resignations. Mr. Tharp moved from Jackson Center to Farrell and Mr. Mehalko’s health has been declining. Mr. Puko would like authorization to send letters accepting their resignation with regret and a thank you. A motion was made by Mr. George and seconded by Mr. Hoy to authorize sending these letters. The motion passed.

Mr. Puko reminded everyone that the Commission is doing a photo contest in conjunction with our 50^th Anniversary celebration. If anyone is interested they should contact MCRPC for details.

Mr. Puko also noted that Commissioner Shipley informed him that there are 3 county appointments vacant and are looking for suggestions.

ADJOURNMENT

With no further business or discussion, a motion was made by Mr. George and seconded by Mr. Hoy that the meeting adjourns at 8:20 p.m.

Submitted and Certified By:

Clifford McCandless, Secretary - MCRPC

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

home    about mcrpc    planning projects    community development    transportation    zoning    subdivision