Zoning & Subdivision Review Committee

Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, June 20, 2000 - 7:30 pm
MCRPC Offices - 2491 Highland Road, Hermitage, PA 

Members Present	Others Present
Samuel L. Scott, Chairman	Lisa Holm, Planner
James Rollinson, Vice-Chairman	Denny Puko, Executive Director
Clifford McCandless	Bob Kochems, Solicitor
Michael Leonetti
Burroughs Price
James Hogan
Chuck Garrett
Jeff Hoy

Mr. Scott, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. A quorum was present. The Minutes of the May 16, 2000 meeting were approved as read with no additions, corrections, or deletions. The motion passed.

N E W B U S I N E S S

1. Final Plan – Woodland Professional Center - Pine Township – Ms. Holm reviewed this with the Committee stating that this is a revision to a plan that the Committee previously reviewed. That plan was withdrawn prior to the full Commission meeting so it did not receive final approval. The plan is for one lot with existing road frontage along SR 173 with access off the proposed street, which is to remain private until further development occurs. The Committee discussed the changes to the preliminary plan, which include changing the road configuration to a cul-de-sac in order to avoid the wetlands prominent on the site. The current plan is the final plan for one lot with new sewer and water lines extended to serve the development. At this time the section of the road will be constructed to Pine Township specifications and will remain private. Pine Township has reviewed the changes to the plan and has no additional comments. The plan meets the requirements of our Mercer County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.

A motion was made by Mr. Hogan and seconded by Mr. Garrett to recommend approval of the final plan for lot #1 of the Woodland Professional Center Subdivision in Pine Township. The motion passed.

O T H E R B U S I N E S S

1. Zoning Ordinance Amendment – Adult Establishments – West Middlesex Borough – Mr. Puko explained that West Middlesex is proposing to adopt the same adult use zoning amendment as prior adopted by Shenango Township and other municipalities. It would designate the industrial zoning district to allow adult uses. Different from other adult use ordinances, the West Middlesex proposal requires a separation distance of 1,000 feet not only from existing homes, churches, parks, etc., but also from any non-industrial zoning district boundary. Ms. Holm worked with the Borough’s solicitor to make sure there was area that met the stringent requirements so that the Borough could defend attacks on the grounds of exclusionary zoning. Mr. Garrett asked if the separation district could be enforced in relation to development (homes, schools, etc.) in an adjacent municipality or if an adult use could be located next to a school in an adjacent municipality. Mr. Kochems expressed doubt that separation distances could be so enforced. He suggested a separation distance to be enforced from the Borough boundary.

After discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Garrett and seconded by Mr. Price to recommend approval of the proposed zoning amendment with the suggestion that the Borough also consider a separation distance measured from the Borough boundary and that the MCRPC staff check and advise the Borough of further adjustments that may be necessary to ensure the ordinance is not overtly exclusionary. The motion passed.

2. Discussion of a hearing taking place in Harrisburg concerning Mr. Ron Bittler. It was started by DEP due to problems with plans he had submitted to the Department. It is our understanding that ‘Mercer County’ has been listed by Mr. Bittler as being happy with his work. DEP contacted us to determine if this is the case, and we let them know that we have concerns and that they have been discussed personally with Mr. Bittler. There was a question as to whether ‘Mercer County’ indicated this office or some other office. It is possible that DEP would contact us to attend the hearings at some time in July. We are not sure of the current standing of the case however we wanted to alert the members that this is a possibility.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to conduct, the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa Holm, Planner

 

 

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

 

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