Zoning & Subdivision Review Committee

Meeting Minutes

Tuesday – April 17, 2001 – 7:30 p.m.
MCRPC Offices, 2491 Highland Road – Hermitage, PA

Members Present	Others Present
Samuel Scott, Chairman	Dan Gracenin, Senior Planner
Jim Hogan	Dennis G. Puko, Executive Director
Fred Brenner	Peggy Heldorfer, Assoc. Planner
Chuck Garrett
Ron Faull
Burroughs Price
Clifford McCandless

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 March 20, 2001 meeting were mailed prior to tonight’s meeting and there being no additions, corrections, or deletions, the Minutes stand approved as read.

N E W B U S I N E S S

1. Final Subdivision Plan – Village Park – Phase IV-C – Pine Township – Mr. Puko reviewed this with the Committee noting that last month we tabled this item. He noted that Phase IV-C has 23 lots, which begin on Village Park Drive and continue on a short stretch of a new street to be called Hunt Drive and then carry up a new street called Carriage Lane. Carriage Lane would end in a temporary cul-de-sac, for the time being. The intent of Carriage Lane would eventually wind around and be part of the road out to Airport Road. He noted that the street system would be put in to the specifications of the County Ordinance. After reviewing the construction requirements, the slope, cross-sections and profiles, it was noted that they meet the specifications of our County Ordinance. He noted that the lots (under a half acre to a little over a half acre) are single-family and they meet the Zoning Ordinance requirements of Pine Township. He also noted that all lots would have public water and sewer facilities. The sanitary sewer system would appear on the back of lots 84-87 and would proceed along Carriage Lane and serve lots to either side of this lane; water would connect into an existing water valve which would serve the rest of the development. He noted that the storm water management plan was reviewed and approved.

Mr. Puko commented that as far as the water and sewer facilities go, Pine Township verbally said that the design meets with the Township’s approval. Also, the road meets the design specifications, which is to be accepted and maintained by the Township. The Township is working on having a developer’s agreement with Christner Realty that would state and specify the construction of these streets, the eventual acceptance by the Township and would provide for a letter of credit, which is an acceptable financial guarantee on the roads being built. He also noted that there have been recent discussions on the proper responsible party to be a party to the letter of credit/financial guarantee. In lieu of the suit that was brought against the Commission, Attorney Kochems has done some case research and stated that rightfully the County should be a stated beneficiary of the financial guarantee. The reason being is that this is a County Ordinance that is being administered and is not a responsibility that can be given to that municipality to accept on the County’s behalf, even if the Township is accepting the road. He noted that since Pine Township is accepting the road and they want to be a party to the guarantee, Mr. Christner stated that he would present a letter of credit naming Mercer County and Pine Township as the beneficiaries in the event of a default to provide for the construction of the proper road. The developer’s agreement and the financial guarantee are forthcoming soon. He noted that we received the letter from Grove City Borough acknowledging that they can provide the capacity for the water. We also received the Municipal Subdivision Review Form from the Township indicating that the development meets their expectations. Also, the Township stated that they approve this subdivision subject to receipt of plans and specs of utilities and roads and financial guarantee.

In discussion, Mr. Puko noted that Attorney Lewis McEwen, the County Solicitor has asked to review this letter of credit concerning being a party to the financial guarantee based on Attorney Kochems research.

A motion was made by Mr. Hogan and seconded by Mr. Faull to recommend approval of this Final Plan for Village Park – Phase IV-C conditioned upon receiving the letter of credit from Christner Realty. Dr. Brenner abstained. The motion passed.

2. Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment – City of Hermitage – Mr. Gracenin reviewed this with the Committee noting that last month this item was tabled because the amendment required a 1,000-foot separation distance between adult uses and other adult uses, schools, churches, parks, or uses serving alcohol. Based on those measurements, there was no location in the City where an adult use could comply and be located. Since last months meeting, the City reviewed this more thoroughly and included three definitions: adult bookstore, adult business, and adult entertainment. He stated that this would be a conditional use only in the Central Commercial Zoning District and not in the Highway Commercial Zoning District. The City reduced the 1,000-foot separation distance to 800-foot separation from a Residential District from any parcel obtaining a residential church, public or private school or public park or recreation area and 1,000-foot separation from any other adult business. The City also removed establishments serving alcohol in order to make the 800-foot separation work. He also noted that the City did not want to include adult uses in the Industrial Zoning District, in order to keep them centered in the community and the police could monitor it easier.

A motion was made by Mr. Price and seconded by Dr. Brenner to recommend approval of this zoning text amendment with adding the legislative findings. The motion passed.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to conduct, the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Dennis G. Puko,
Executive Director

 

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

 

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