Meeting Minutes

Mercer County Regional Planning Commission Meeting
Tuesday, October 24, 2000 – 7:30 PM
MCRPC Office, Hermitage

MUNICIPALITY	PRESENT	ABSENT
FARRELL CITY	Mark A. Petrillo	Jerry Miller
HERMITAGE CITY	James A. Rollinson	Rita Ferringer
		James Pat White
SHARON CITY	George Gulla	Frank Smeraglia
		Lou Rotunno
		Pat Miller
CLARK BOROUGH		Russell Shaffer
FREDONIA BOROUGH	Larry McAdams
	Patricia McAdams
GREENVILLE BOROUGH		Earl Butterfield
		Burroughs Price
GROVE CITY BOROUGH	Clifford McCandless
JACKSON CENTER BOROUGH		Angel Tharp
		Lee Tharp
JAMESTOWN BOROUGH		Darryl Pinney
MERCER BOROUGH		Jerry Johnson
		Jim Carnes
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	Brian Reiser
WEST MIDDLESEX BOROUGH		Linda Bollinger
		Joseph Walsh
WHEATLAND BOROUGH	Thomas R. Stanton	Ray Foster
FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP		Jane Clark
		Mont Clark
FINDLEY TOWNSHIP		Elliott Lengel
		John B. Courtney
HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP	Russell L. Dawes	Pamela Brown
JACKSON TOWNSHIP		W. Jerry Vernam
		Mary Gealy
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP		Robert F. Angermeier
		Joanne Brown
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP	Dave Beatty
	Ron Faull
NEW VERNON TOWNSHIP	Frank Cochran
	Albert W. Law
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	Kristen Robinson	John Draskovic
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	Jean Hodge	Patricia Meehan
	James L. Hogan	Richard A. Mackell
		Paul E. Mehalko
		Ethel Friede
		Tom Jack
BOROUGHS ASSOCIATION		David George
SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION	Kenneth Seamans
COUNTY COMMISSIONER	Brian Shipley

STAFF	OTHERS PRESENT
Dennis G. Puko, Executive Director Julie Widel, Assistant Director Daniel Gracenin, Senior Planner Lisa Holm, Planner Jeremy Coxe, Planner Don Blakesley, Recycling Coordinator	Attorney Robert G. Kochems, Solicitor Barb Conroy, Springfield Twp. Doug Thomas Harry R. Sheppard Trudy D. Duncan Mark Yersky, City of Farrell Nate & Carol Simon Brian Funkhouser Toby Fauver Guy & Peg Ruggles Regina Ehrhart Bob Cranford

CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Jeff Hoy, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mr. Ron Faull, 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 SEPTEMBER 26, 2000 MEETING

A motion was made by Mr. Stanton and seconded by Mr. Scott to approve the Minutes of the September 26, 2000 meeting with no additions, corrections, or deletions. The motion passed.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

A motion was made by Mr. Beatty and seconded by Mr. Paxton to approve the September 2000 Financial Statement as presented. The motion passed.

STAFF REPORTS

Mr. Blakesley noted that the Section 904 Performance Grants, based on recyclables collected for their community, had extended the deadline of submitting their grant from September 30^th to November 17^th.

Mr. Puko reminded everyone of the upcoming meeting on Thursday, October 26^th at the Radisson Hotel in West Middlesex for the PA Center for Local Government Services traveling road show on The Governors Growing Smarter Program and encouraged those to attend.

Mr. Coxe stated that the Solid Waste Advisory Committee had their first meeting on October 5^th. This Committee was set up to review and discuss the Solid Waste Plan revision. He noted that there was a lot of good discussion about landfill agreements and recycling at that meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 2^nd, 7:30 p.m. and urged those to attend if they had any questions about solid waste or recycling.

ZONING & SUBDIVISION REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT

Committee Chairman, Sam Scott, reported that the Committee met October 17^th, a quorum was present, and took action on the following items:

1. City of Hermitage – Route 18 South Overlay District – Mr. Scott noted that the City, with help from a planning consultant, prepared a zoning map amendment creating an overlay zone along the frontage of Route 18 from the Shenango Township line to the Freeway. The new zone allows limited multi-family and small business uses in addition to the uses of the base zone underneath. The new overlay zone also sets additional development standards designed to minimize traffic congestion, enhance the quality of the development, and allow it to be compatible with nearby residential areas. The Committee recommended approval of the overlay zone as presented by the City. A motion was made by Mr. Scott and seconded by Mr. Hogan to approve the Committee’s recommendation. In discussion, Ms. Ehrhart, a resident near the corridor, stated that based on the amended overlay and the Hermitage Planning Commission recommendation is agreeable with the citizen group. There being no further discussion, the motion passed.

2. City of Farrell – Request to Rezone "C-3" Commercial to "I-2" Industrial – Mr. Scott stated that a business owner pursuing industrial development of a 7-acre parcel by the northwest corner of Broadway Road and Roemer Boulevard requested that the parcel be rezoned from Commercial to Industrial. The property, while being in an area considered for longer-term commercial reuse, was described by the developer as being the only feasible location for the multi-million dollar industry expansion after over a year search of nearby properties already zoned Industrial. The Committee recommended approval of the rezoning and additional rezoning of all "C-3" property west of Broadway. A motion was made by Mr. Scott and seconded by Mr. Law to approve the Committee’s recommendation. In discussion, Mr. Mike Garvey, President of Haywood Industries, thanked the Committee for its favorable recommendation and stated Haywood is looking forward to expanding its business in the City of Farrell. There being no further discussion, the motion passed.

3. Modification Requests – Charles A. Clark – Stoneboro Borough – Mr. Scott noted that Article IV, Section 404.1.e. requires 50’ access for properties of sufficient size to be further subdivided. The frontage and shape of the existing lot make this unattainable. Section 407.2.f. requires a 4 to 1 ratio of depth to width. The existing lot cannot meet this requirement so subsequent subdivision could not either. A motion was made by Mr. Scott and seconded by Mr. Rollinson to approve the modification requests. The motion passed.

4. Final Plan – Woodland Professional Center – 6 lots – Pine Township – Mr. Scott stated that the plan shows the six remaining lots that would complete the subdivision on the west side of Route 173. Construction on the project continues and bonds are required prior to recording the plan. A problem with the placement of the sewer and water lines has caused a need for a wetlands permit. A motion was made by Mr. Scott and seconded by Mr. Paxton to approve the Final Plan for Woodland Professional Center conditioned upon the Township’s acceptance of the construction bonds and the permit as required. The motion passed.

5. Final Plan – Forrest Brooke West Mobile Home Park – Phase I – Jefferson/Lackawannock Townships – Mr. Scott noted that the plan is for 66 mobile home lots in a park on the south side of Route 62. Construction on the project continues and bonds are required prior to recording the plan. The plan must also go through Jefferson Township’s review process. A motion was made by Mr. Scott and seconded by Mr. White to approve the Final Plan for Forrest Brooke West Mobile Home Park – Phase I conditioned upon the Jefferson Township’s complete review and approval of the bonds by both Townships. The motion passed.

6. City of Hermitage – Mitchell/Slemmer Rezoning Request – Mr. Scott stated that this request is to rezone approximately 20-acres from Light Industrial to R-1-75. The property is located at the southwest corner of Hoezle Road and Overlook Drive. The request is to rezone the property from Light Industrial to R-1-75 Residential. A motion was made by Mr. Scott and seconded by Mr. Rollinson to approve this proposed map amendment. The motion passed.

Mr. Puko noted that one item was scratched from the Zoning & Subdivision Review Committee Report as it was satisfied without the need for a modification.

FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT

Dr. Brenner, Committee Chairman gave the Finance-Personnel Committee Report noting that the Committee met on October 24^th and took the following actions:

1. MCRPC Preliminary 2001 Budget – Dr. Brenner noted that the Committee reviewed the preliminary budget for the year 2001. He noted that there would be no fee increase to the member municipalities for the year 2001. In fact, the long-range budget is sustainable without a fee increase through 2003. Mr. Puko reviewed other budget highlights, which include:

· Increasing the fees collected for review of subdivisions and land developments.

· Large grant revenue and consultant contracts for two special projects.

· Sustainable reimbursable workload for the Mercer County Solid Waste Authority.

· 3% cost of living increases.

· Assumed 15% increase in hospitalization coverage.

Dr. Brenner commented that the Mercer County Solid Waste Authority has been billing quarterly, which means the bill for the last quarter of 2000 would not be received until January 2001, the next years budget.

Dr. Brenner asked if there were any questions or comments. There being none, a motion was made by Dr. Brenner and seconded by Mr. Shipley to approve the MCRPC preliminary budget for the year 2001. The motion passed.

2. Cooperation Agreement with the Mercer County Solid Waste Authority – Dr. Brenner noted that a draft agreement was prepared by the Authority because of the growing nature of the Authority and its desire to formalize its partnership with MCRPC. He noted that this agreement basically specifies the amount and type of work that would be done by MCRPC staff during the year and the reimbursement by the Authority to the Commission for these services. The Committee recommended approval of the cooperation agreement with two minor changes: 1) the agreement acknowledges periodic rate changes subject to meeting acceptance of MCRPC’s cognizant agency and approval of the Solid Waste Authority, and 2) the agreement refers to personnel by position and not name. A motion was made by Dr. Brenner and seconded by Mr. Petrillo to approve the Cooperation Agreement with the two changes noted above. The motion passed.

PA 18 NORTH LAND USE & TRAFFIC STUDY

Mr. Puko explained that Gannett Fleming, Inc., was the consulting firm selected to perform the PA 18 North Land Use and Traffic Planning Study. He then introduced Mr. Toby Fauver and Mr. Brian Funkhouser, representatives from the firm to give a presentation on the project. Mr. Fauver distributed to those in attendance a handout, including a flow chart that describes the overall study process. He stated that they held their first Steering Committee meeting to talk about goals and objectives and the vision of the study. He noted that a public meeting would be held on November 8^th at the Artman Elementary School to receive input from the public on how they would like to see this area developed for the future in relation to traffic and transportation issues. Mr. Brian Funkhouser stated that they would like the public to get involved in developing a community vision and then develop and test scenarios, such as integration of bicycle/pedestrian into the system, for possible future development of their community.

Mr. Puko commented that while our main focus is the area in Hermitage where PA 18 is to be widened to 5 lanes, the study would also acknowledge the importance of this section of PA 18 for access to municipalities beyond the study area.

MERCER COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN HOUSING ISSUES

Mr. Puko facilitated discussion to obtain input for housing issues. The Mercer County Strategic Plan is developing a vision and objectives for the future of housing in the County.

Two questions were asked:

1. What is the status of housing today or the most important housing issues in Mercer County from municipal officials’ perspectives?

· Problems with absentee landlords and their homes. Also, problems with properties needing clean up.

· Farrell does not have enough clean and safe rental housing.

· Communities in the county want to attract more people to live and work here. People need homes (at good quality and affordable prices).

· There is an opportunity to consolidate smaller lots in older parts of the county and "reshape" towns to fit current demands for more spacious lots and homes.

· Officials hear requests for senior housing, but were not specific on the types. Hermitage expressed a need for subsidized senior housing.

· Officials were asked to grade the condition of housing in their municipalities. Few responded. Sharon graded housing a C, up from a D in recent times. Two rural townships, Jefferson and Wilmington, graded housing a B.

2. What do municipal officials see as an ideal future vision for housing in Mercer County, including objectives and initiatives that should be pursued?

· Solutions are needed for rural housing with on-lot systems and associated problems:

- More extensions are needed of municipal water & sewer systems. It was acknowledged that public funding is inadequate. One suggestion that did not meet with objections was to bring back revenue sharing.

- The county or municipalities should pursue other alternatives, including new technologies, to the traditional on-lot sewage system.

· Cities should not be ignored in housing upgrade and new development efforts, particularly those private sector efforts of builders, realtors, and lenders.

· Public and private sectors should partner, particularly to build new, higher-value, and higher-quality housing to serve as an affordable housing alternative to "temporary" (mobile home) housing.

· There should be more regional problem solving. For example, a borough having a sanitary sewer system needing upgrade and lacking funds and an adjacent township in which new homes are being built needing public sewerage – sounds like a match!

APPOINTMENT OF NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Mr. Jeff Hoy appointed a Nominating Committee consisting of the past three chairmen of the Commission: Ray Foster, Dick Mackell and Bud Price. The Committee will present a recommendation for 2001 officers at the November meeting. At the December meeting, nominations can be made from the floor and the election of officers will be held. The 2001 officers will assume office on the 1^st of January.

OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Gracenin explained that the Commission needs to enter into an agreement for the PA 18 Box Beam Barrier Study. This study will encompass the area between Rutledge Road and Edgewood Drive in Pymatuning Township. Its purpose is to examine the feasibility and safety of removing these barriers and adding a 5^th lane in the center for turning only. He also stated that Trans Associates was selected by a review committee to do the study for $48,705.10. PennDOT is funding the project at 100%. Mr. Gracenin asked for an action to approve this contract. A motion was made by Mr. Stanton and seconded by Mr. Hogan to approve entering into a contract with Trans Associates for $48,705.10. The motion passed.

ADJOURNMENT

With no further business or discussion, the meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M.

Submitted and Certified By:

Larry McAdams, Secretary - MCRPC

 

 

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

 

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