Meeting Minutes
Mercer County
Regional Planning Commission Meeting
Tuesday, May 23, 2000 – 7:30 PM
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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Jerry Miller
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Mark A. Petrillo
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HERMITAGE CITY
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James Pat White
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Rita Ferringer
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James A. Rollinson
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SHARON CITY
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George
Gulla
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Pat Miller
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Frank Smeraglia
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Lou Rotunno
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CLARK BOROUGH
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Michael Leonetti
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Russell Shaffer
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FREDONIA BOROUGH
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Larry McAdams
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Patricia McAdams
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GREENVILLE BOROUGH
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Burroughs Price
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Earl Butterfield
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GROVE CITY BOROUGH
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Clifford McCandless
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JACKSON CENTER BOROUGH
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Lee Tharp
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Angel Tharp
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JAMESTOWN BOROUGH
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Darryl Pinney
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MERCER BOROUGH
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Jim Carnes
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Jerry Johnson
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NEW LEBANON BOROUGH
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Janice Good
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Mary A. Ziegler
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SANDY LAKE BOROUGH
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Carol Paul
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Robert W. Kaltenbaugh
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SHARPSVILLE BOROUGH
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Alex Kovach
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Bob Piccirilli
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STONEBORO BOROUGH
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Samuel A. Scott
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Brian Reiser
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WEST MIDDLESEX BOROUGH
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Linda Bollinger
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Joseph Walsh
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WHEATLAND BOROUGH
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Ray Foster
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Thomas R. Stanton
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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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Elliott Lengel
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John B. Courtney
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HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP
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Pamela Brown
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Russell L. Dawes
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JACKSON TOWNSHIP
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W. Jerry Vernam
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Mary Gealy
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JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP
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Robert F. Angermeier
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Joanne Brown
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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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Frank Cochran
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Albert W. Law
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OTTER CREEK TOWNSHIP
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Richard Straub
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Paulette Young
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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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Joseph A. Selnekovic
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James F. Rowe
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SHENANGO TOWNSHIP
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Kristen Robinson
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John Draskovic
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S. PYMATUNING TOWNSHIP
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Mike Nashtock
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Mourice Waltz
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SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP
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Larry T. Gruntz
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Judy L. Hassler
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WILMINGTON TOWNSHIP
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Jeff Hoy
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Charles Garrett
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WOLF CREEK TOWNSHIP
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Jim Morton
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Mark Smith
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MERCER COUNTY
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Ethel Friede
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Jean Hodge
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James L. Hogan
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Patricia Meehan
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Tom Jack
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Paul E. Mehalko
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Richard A. Mackell
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BOROUGHS ASSOCIATION
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David George
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SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION
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Kenneth Seamans
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COUNTY COMMISSIONER
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Brian Shipley
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STAFF
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OTHERS PRESENT
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Dennis
G. Puko, Executive Director
Daniel Gracenin, Senior Planner
Lisa
Holm, Planner
Jeremy Coxe, Planner
Don
Blakesley, Recycling Coordinator
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Attorney
Robert G. Kochems, Solicitor
Don Welker, Hickory Engineering
Troy Adzima |
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.
MINUTES OF THE APRIL 25, 2000 MEETING
A motion was made by Mr. Stanton and seconded by Mr. Price to
approve the Minutes of the April 25, 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 April 2000 Financial Statement as presented. The motion passed.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY AGENDA ITEM
There were no public comments.
STAFF REPORTS
Ms. Holm distributed to the members present a handout
concerning the Mercer County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance
procedures and applicability. A copy is attached to and made a part of the
permanent record of Minutes.
Mr. Puko commented on the Pennsylvania Planning Association
awards given annually to individuals/organizations for outstanding planning work
in the state. This year the Commission will submit a nomination for Strategy
1000. He also commented on a response letter received from Howard Fargo
concerning SB 300, HB 13 and HB 14 and the Governor’s Growing Smarter
initiative. Representative Fargo criticized sections of the bills and the
Commission’s support of the bills. In further discussion, Commission reps
agreed that the role and value of planning is still misunderstood and needs to
be better communicated to legislators as well as other public officials and
citizens.
ZONING & SUBDIVISION REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT
Committee Chairman, Sam Scott reported that the Committee met
on May 16th, a quorum was present, and took action on the following
items:
1. Modification Request – Creekside Estates - Hempfield
Township – Mr. Scott stated that Section 404.7 requires the full length of
the cul-de-sac be designed to a maximum of 6% grade. The roads in this
development have been designed to an 8% maximum grade with a leveling area at
the end of the cul-de-sac. A motion was made by Mr. Scott and seconded by Mr.
Price to approve this modification request. The motion passed.
2. Modification Request – Creekside Estates – Hempfield
Township – Mr. Scott noted that Section 407.2 requires developments over
15 lots connect to public water systems when available within one mile.
Discussions with the local water authority have determined that water cannot be
provided at this time. A motion was made by Mr. Scott and seconded by Mr. Price
to approve this modification request. The motion passed.
3. Preliminary Plan – Creekside Estates – Hempfield
Township – Mr. Scott noted that the proposed subdivision is a 54-lot
development with new streets and public sewers located west of Hamburg Road. The
Township is having their engineer review the sewer and street plans and that
review is not complete. With the modifications previously approved, this
subdivision meets the requirements of our Ordinance. A motion was made by Mr.
Scott and seconded by Mr. Paxton to approve the preliminary plan for Creekside
Estates conditioned upon the Township’s complete review. The motion passed.
4. Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment – City of Hermitage –
Proposed comprehensive landscaping requirements for non-residential development
throughout the City – Mr. Scott noted that the City of Hermitage is
proposing comprehensive landscaping and related standards for non-residential
developments. A motion was made by Mr. Scott and seconded by Mr. Price to
approve the proposed text amendment. The motion passed.
REPORT ON 1999 MCRPC AUDIT
Mr. Puko presented the audit report prepared for the
Commission by Black, Bashor & Porsch. He noted that the Commission’s
financial statements for the year were acceptable and that no problems or
deficiencies were found. After reviewing the audit report by those in
attendance, a motion was made by Mr. Beatty and seconded by Mrs. McAdams to
approve the 1999 MCRPC audit as presented. The motion passed.
TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS 2001-2004
Mr. Gracenin updated the Commission members on the highway
projects included in the 2001 TIP (Transportation Improvement Program). A copy
is attached to and made a part of the permanent record of Minutes. He also
discussed proposed engineering and construction schedules for major projects. In
discussion, it was noted that the preliminary engineering and engineering
processes are too slow and are hindering the timely programming of funding for
important transportation projects for the county. Mr. Puko, Mr. Gracenin, and
Mr. Shipley met with PennDOT in teleconference with Senator Robbins and urged
expedient completion of engineering so that projects may be moved more rapidly
to funding for construction.
LIVABLE COMMUNITIES DESIGN MANUAL PROPOSAL
Mr. Puko noted that the Commission would soon be updating the
Mercer County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance and the County
Commissioners have given us permission to explore beefing up the land
development side of the regulations so larger scale developments that might
appear in a community without its own zoning would have controls on the quality
and design of the development. He explained that the Commission would be
drafting design guidelines; share them with the Commission members and then
present to the County Commissioners to consider. He also is working on a
proposal to apply for funding from PA DCED for development of design guidelines.
Guidelines could include building facades, landscaping, streets & sidewalks,
etc. In discussion, it was felt that having guidelines would be worthwhile to
have. Mr. Puko requested a motion to authorize a grant application to PA DCED to
fund the development of design guidelines. A motion was made by Mr. Price and
seconded by Mr. Nashtock to approve authorizing a grant application to PA DCED.
The motion passed.
AUTHORIZATION FOR COMMITTEES TO ACT ON BEHALF OF FULL
COMMISSION IN JUNE, JULY & AUGUST
A motion was made by Mr. Hogan and seconded by Mr. Price to
authorize the Committees of the Commission to act on behalf of the full
Commission in the months of June, July and August. The motion passed.
REMINDER – MCRPC PICNIC TUESDAY, JUNE 27TH 6:00
P.M., CHESTNUT RUN SWIM BEACH, SHENANGO RESERVOIR
Mr. Hoy reminded Commission members of the upcoming picnic
which will be held on June 27th at Chestnut Run Swim Beach, Shenango
Reservoir.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Stanton suggested that we rotate the picnics back through
the cycle and go back to Jefferson Township next year. Mr. Jim Carnes questioned
the status of the Cabela development and if they had made a decision. Mr. Puko
stated that they have not made a decision. He noted that they are behind
schedule and noted that the Act 537 sewage facilities plan for potential Cabelas
and other development at I-80/US 19 is being reviewed at this time.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business or discussion, the meeting adjourned
at 8:20 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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