Zoning & Subdivision Review Committee

Meeting Minutes

Tuesday – February 17, 2004 – 7:30 p.m. at the MCRPC Offices
2491 Highland Road – Hermitage, PA (724) 981-2412

MEMBERS & OTHERS PRESENT

• Samuel Scott, Chairman

• James Rollinson 

• Chuck Garrett

• Clifford McCandless

• Ron Faull

• Larry McAdams
  
  

• Andrew Dash, Planner - MCRPC

• Denny Puko, Exec. Dir. - MCRPC

Mr. Scott, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. A quorum was present. Mr. Scott noted that the Minutes of the January 20, 2004 meeting were mailed prior to tonight’s meeting and there being no additions, corrections, or deletions, the Minutes stand approved as mailed.

N E W B U S I N E S S

1. Wolf Creek Township Zoning Ordinance – Mr. Dash explained that Wolf Creek Township requested assistance in preparing a new zoning ordinance, since there had never been zoning in Wolf Creek. The Township Supervisors, with help from the MCRPC staff, prepared a new Zoning Ordinance. Public meetings were held throughout 2002 and 2003. An advertised public meeting was held at the end of January 2004, and a public hearing is scheduled for the middle of March.

In discussion, Mr. Garrett questioned how the public response had been at the public meeting. Mr. Puko discussed the details.

After discussion, Mr. Rollinson made a motion to recommend approving the Wolf Creek Township Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Faull seconded. The motion passed.

2. Jamestown Borough Zoning Ordinance – Mr. Dash explained that Jamestown Borough requested help in preparing a new zoning ordinance in the Fall of 2001. He noted that there had never been zoning in the Borough of Jamestown. Jamestown Borough formed a Planning Commission, and with the help from the MCRPC staff, prepared a new Zoning Ordinance. Planning Commission meetings were all open to the public and were held in the Winter of 2001 and throughout 2002. An advertised public meeting occurred in February 2004, and a public hearing is scheduled for the middle of March.

In discussion, Mr. Puko talked about the public meeting. He also talked about the technological advances in planning and zoning from last proposed zoning ordinance (1978) and now.

After discussion, Mr. Garrett made a motion to recommend approving the Jamestown Borough Zoning Ordinance. Mr. McAdams seconded. The motion passed.

3. Greenville Borough Zoning Ordinance Revisions – Mr. Dash explained that Greenville Borough is currently in the process of re-codifying their Ordinance. The Borough wanted to update their Ordinance to come into compliance with the amendments to the Municipalities Planning Code in 2000 and 2002, as well as with recent court cases. He noted that the Borough, with the help of Penn Hills Publishers, made revisions to their Ordinance.

In discussion, Mr. Puko noted the advantages to not being as detailed (which Greenville is detailed) and how they would need to amend every time.

After discussion, Mr. Faull made a motion to recommend approving the revisions to the Greenville Borough Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Garrett seconded. The motion passed.

4. Text Amendment - Mercer County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance – Subdivision Fees – Mr. Dash explained that the subdivision fee schedule had not been changed since March 25, 1985. MCRPC is not recouping their costs for labor and other materials when reviewing a subdivision. Research was done to figure out the average costs for reviewing a subdivision.

In discussion, Mr. Puko explains County Engineer is contracted by MCRPC. Mr. Garrett explained that it would be a good idea to charge a resubmission fee if the plan needs corrections. Mr. Scott suggested that we might need to change engineer, making MCRPC a middleman. Mr. Garrett also questions structure of county engineer. Mr. Rollinson was worried about duplicate charges. Mr. Puko and Mr. Dash both responded that there would be no duplicate changes. There was also discussion on looking into an escrow account.

After discussion, Mr. Garrett made a motion to recommend approving the fee schedule revisions. Mr. McAdams seconded. Further discussion ensued on costs and the county engineer process. Mr. Faull said it is good to get idea on what charge for engineers, such as costs for inspections. There being no further discussion, the motion passed.

5. Other Discussion

Mr. Puko explained that the PA Department of State Registration Board rendered a decision in the case of complaints against surveyor Ron Bittler. The board found Bittler to have violated the state registration law and code. The board ordered that Bittler be reprimanded, pay a civil penalty, and complete a course in professional ethics.

Mr. Dash discussed changes to Otter Creek Township Zoning Ordinance. He noted that adult entertainment and wireless telecommunications provisions were added. In discussion, Mr. McCandless questioned the setbacks being large. Mr. Dash explained. Mr. Rollinson had concerns of wireless towers interfering with reception. Mr. Garrett responds.

6. Reorganization/Election of Officers

Mr. Rollinson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Garrett to retain Sam Scott as Chairman for the Committee for 2004. The motion passed. Mr. Scott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Faull to retain Jim Rollinson as Vice-Chairman for the Committee for 2004. The motion passed.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to conduct, the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Andrew Dash,
Planner

 

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