Zoning & Subdivision
Review Committee
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday – March 19, 2002
MCRPC Offices, 2491 Highland Road – Hermitage, PA
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Members
Present
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Others
Present
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Samuel
Scott, Chairman
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Fred
Frank, Planner - MCRPC
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Larry
McAdams
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Chris Conti, Senior Planner - MCRPC
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Burroughs
Price
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Atty. Robert Kochems, Solicitor
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Chuck
Garrett
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Attorney Roger Shaffer
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Clifford
McCandless
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Chuck Bestwick, Harshaw’s Real Estate
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James Rollinson
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Fred Brenner
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Ron Faull
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Mr. Scott, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:27 p.m.
A quorum was present. Mr. Scott noted that the Minutes of the February
19, 2002 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. Rezoning Request – Pymatuning Township – Mr. Conti
reviewed this with the Committee noting that he received a request to rezone
54.941-acres north on Edgewood Drive and west of Route 18 from Residential
One-Family (R-2) to Agricultural-Rural (R-1) to allow the construction of a
medical clinic on 30.046-acres. He stated the land is generally flat, it is open
around the dwellings on the southern third of the property and the northern
two-thirds of the land appears to be covered by brush and trees. Existing land
uses in the area consists of open space, single-family dwellings and
nursery/greenhouse. Surrounding land uses to the west and south are residential
and governmental; to the north is open space and to the east is open space
(commercial development around Route 18). He also noted that public sewer, water
and other utilities are not available to this site, but could be extended from
Route 18. In discussion, it was suggested that the R-1 zone be extended east up
to the Business-Highway Service (B) Zoning District zone that parallels Route
18, therefore eliminating the small piece of land that would have remained zoned
R-2.
A motion was made by Mr. Price and seconded by Mr. Brenner to
recommend approval to rezone 54.941-acres from R-2 to R-1 with the
recommendation that the small remaining area of the R-2 Zoning District north of
Edgewood Drive between the rezoned acreage and the Business-Highway Service (B)
Zoning District west of Route 18 also be rezoned to R-1. The motion passed.
2. Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment – East Lackawannock
Township – Mr. Frank reviewed this with the Committee stating that he
received a request from the Township to amend the text of their Zoning Ordinance
to allow non-conforming residential dwellings to be rebuilt if they are
destroyed by a natural disaster up to 125% of its original size. In addition to
that, they would be allowed to expand on their house, like garages or pools, at
least 25%, whether damaged or not. East Lackawannock Township would vote on this
amendment at their next regularly scheduled Board of Supervisors meeting on
April 9th.
A motion was made by Mr. Brenner and seconded by Mr. Faull to
recommend approval of the requested Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment. The
motion passed.
3. Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment Jackson Township –
Mr. Frank reviewed this with the Committee noting that he received a request
from the Township to amend the text of their Zoning Ordinance to clarify the
status of Tourist Homes" in the definition section of their Zoning
Ordinance and to add Tourist Homes as a permitted principal use in the R-1 and
R-2 Zoning Districts. Also, a Tourist Home would require a business occupancy
permit for its use and no accessory or home occupation may be conducted in
relation to the structure that is used as a Tourist Home. It was noted that
Jackson Township would vote on this amendment at their next regularly scheduled
Board of Supervisors meeting on April 3rd.
A motion was made by Mr. Price and seconded by Mr. Faull to
recommend approval of the requested Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment. The
motion passed with Fred Brenner voting no.
4. Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment – Mercer Borough –
Mr. Frank reviewed this with the Committee noting that Mercer Borough would like
to amend the text of their Zoning Ordinance to properly reference a section
concerning signs and clarify the dimensions and height of a sign.
After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Brenner
and seconded by Mr. Garrett to recommend approval of the requested Zoning
Ordinance Text Amendment. The motion passed.
5. Other Business – Mr. Frank updated the Committee on
the Traditional Neighborhood Development proposal in the City of Farrell for a
Hope VI Project. Meetings have been ongoing monthly and the Farrell City
Planning Commission approved a preliminary plan. He noted that this evening,
Farrell City Council would review the proposal. Hopefully this summer demolition
would start on some of the older housing project before rebuilding. Currently
the housing units are about 60% vacant, so there are not too many residents to
move. In addition to that, there is another plan for a 10-unit housing project
to be built (City dump area) for people that have once received attention for
mental health, but are now able to live independently on their own
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, the meeting
adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Fred Frank,
Planner
Mercer
County Regional Planning Commission
2491 Highland Road, Hermitage, PA 16148
mail@mcrpc.com www.mcrpc.com
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