Zoning & Subdivision Review Committee

Meeting Minutes

Tuesday – January 16, 2001 – 7:30 p.m.
MCRPC Offices, 2491 Highland Road – Hermitage, PA

Members Present	Others Present
Samuel Scott, Chairman	Lisa Holm, Planner
James Rollinson, Vice-Chairman	Dennis G. Puko, Executive Director
Fred Brenner
Burroughs Price
Clifford McCandless
Ron Faull

Mr. Scott, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. A quorum was present. The Minutes of the October 17, 2000 meeting was approved as mailed with no additions, corrections, or deletions. The motion passed.

N E W B U S I N E S S

1. Liberty Township Zoning Ordinance – Mr. Puko reviewed this brand new zoning ordinance with the Committee. Liberty Township has a draft ordinance up for proposal, which is the first zoning ordinance the Township would adopt. He commented that citizens and officials of Liberty Township with the help of MCRPC staff prepared this new ordinance. He noted that the Committee put a list of objectives together before creating their zoning ordinance. He explained that Liberty Township’s draft ordinance is somewhat unusual from other zoning ordinances, in that you would not see R-1, R-2, C-1 or C-2. Instead there is a traditional rural-residential-agricultural district that allows farms and low-density development. Along the more traveled roads of the Township, like Route 258, Route 173, North Liberty Road, and Amsterdam Road, there is a rural opportunity district which allows for low-density development and farms, and also gives the opportunity for limited commercial or industrial type of development where somebody might have an abundance of property or they have natural screening. Mr. Puko briefly discussed other districts throughout the zoning ordinance also.

A motion was made by Mr. Price and seconded by Mr. McCandless to recommend approval of this draft zoning ordinance. The motion passed.

2. Zoning Map Amendment – Otter Creek Township – Ms. Holm commented that Mr. Gracenin and herself have been working with officials of Otter Creek Township about some residents who were initiating an amendment request. This amendment request would allow some expansions of existing businesses and expanding business areas onto their properties, which are adjacent or partially included in the business district at the present time. After reviewing this amendment request, Mr. Gracenin and herself recommended that they stay with what the ordinance itself has now, and that the area would be based upon a distance from the road. She commented that the area is essentially along Route 358 and Freeland Road, which is an existing business area. Another area would be along the intersections of Henry, Baker and Donation Roads.

After some brief discussion, a motion was made by Dr. Brenner and seconded by Mr. Price to recommend approval of this zoning map amendment. The motion passed.

3. Mercer County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance Updates – Ms. Holm stated that the MCRPC staff and Tom Graney, Consultant from Graney, Grossman, Ray and Associates held 3 separate group meetings on January 12, 2001 with surveyors and engineers; builders, developers and realtors; and municipal officials. She noted that we had a good turnout from the surveyors and engineers, as well as from builders, developers and realtors. She noted that the major topics discussed were new land development standards, cellular tower provisions, street standards, plan review procedures, and land conservation lot standards. Dr. Brenner stated that the first two meetings were very positive and a lot of good suggestions were received. He noted that these groups want to meet again when a draft ordinance is drawn up.

4. Other Business – Mr. Puko noted that since it is the first meeting of the New Year, we should discuss reorganization/election of officers. Mr. Price made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rollinson to retain Sam Scott as Chairman for the Committee. The motion passed. Mr. Puko thanked Mr. Scott for all of his work and dedication to this Committee. It was next approved that we retain Jim Rollinson as Vice-Chairman for the Committee.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to conduct, the meeting adjourned at 8:20 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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