Zoning & Subdivision Review Committee

Meeting Minutes

Tuesday – August 20, 2002
MCRPC Offices, 2491 Highland Road – Hermitage, PA

Members Present	Others Present
Samuel Scott, Chairman	Fred Frank, Planner - MCRPC
Larry McAdams	George Elliott, Elliott Modification
James Rollinson	Darlene Kelly, McClimans Modification
Fred Brenner
Chuck Garrett
Burroughs Price
Clifford McCandless
Ron Faull

Mr. Scott, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:28 p.m. A quorum was present. Mr. Scott noted that the Minutes of the July 16, 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. Modification of Section 407(2f), 4:1 depth to width ratio, of the Mercer County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance by Thelma McClimans – Greene Township – Mr. Frank reviewed this with the Committee noting that Thelma McClimans requested a modification to the 4:1 depth to width ratio for the remnant parcel. The remnant parcel has frontage at each end, reducing the negative impacts created by a long, narrow lot since access is available at each end. He noted that this remnant parcel would have frontage on two Township Roads, Tower Road and Murphy Road. The width of the lot at Tower Road is approximately 275’ and the width of the lot at Murphy Road is approximately 180’. The depth of the lot ranges from 1,135’ to 1, 175’, creating a lot not in accordance with the 4:1 depth to width ratio. He stated that if this remnant parcel was ever subdivided again, each of the lots would meet the 4:1 ratio and each lot would have frontage on a road.

In discussion, Ms. Darlene Kelly, Real Estate Broker, stated that the owner of the property is getting ready to list this property with her. The owners are currently selling off a 13-acre parcel to a neighbor, who did not want to purchase the remnant parcel. The owners plan to subdivide the remnant into two lots, roughly 2-1/2 acre parcel for each lot and each lot would have frontage on a road.

A motion was made by Mr. Price and seconded by Mr. McCandless to recommend approval of the Thelma McClimans Modification. The motion passed.

2. Modification of Section 405(g), Construction Standards for Private and Public Streets, of the Mercer County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance by George M. Elliott, Rebekah B. Elliott and JWC Holdings, Inc./Country Club Estates – Pine Township – Mr. Frank reviewed this with the Committee noting that George & Rebekah Elliott own Country Club Estates in Pine Township. The property is southwest of Grove City Borough, west of the Grove City Country Club, east of Center Church Road and south of Center Street Extension and has a private road called Arnold Palmer Drive, which provides access onto Center Church Road. He noted that a modification was approved back in 1998 to allow a 40’ right-of-way and a 16’ gravel cartway width to access 5 lots on Arnold Palmer Drive, a private road. Currently the County Subdivision Ordinance requires that any private road that accesses 5 lots should have a 50’ right-of-way and a 20’ cartway width. There was some discussion back then concerning if emergency vehicles could get back in there. At the time, Pine Township felt it was okay.

The owners are now seeking a modification to allow Arnold Palmer Drive to provide access to 6 lots. The right-of-way would be increased from 40’ to 50’, however the road would remain a 16’ gravel cartway. In discussion, it was stated that Pine Township is still okay with the 16’ gravel cartway. Also, it was noted that the owners of the lots share an agreement for the maintenance of the road.

A motion was made by Dr. Brenner and seconded by Mr. Garrett to recommend approval of the George Elliott Modification. The motion passed.

3. Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment – Grove City Borough – Mr. Frank reviewed this with the Committee stated that the Borough would like to amend their Zoning Ordinance to amend all swimming pools and fences for swimming pools erected in the ground or above ground shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Construction Code. Also, all electrical circuits extending to an in the ground or above the ground swimming pool shall be installed in accordance with the Uniform Construction Code.

A motion was made by Mr. McCandless and seconded by Mr. Price to recommend approval of the Grove City Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment. The motion passed.

4. Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment – Hempfield Township – Mr. Frank reviewed this with the Committee stating that Hempfield Township would like to amend their zoning ordinance to include the following text changes: 1) permit mineral excavation in the Rural Residential & Agricultural (R-1) and Industrial (I) Zoning Districts as a special exception; 2) create a section to include provisions for parking and storage of major recreational equipment and non-agricultural commercial vehicles; 3) permit no-impact home based businesses as a use by right in all zoning districts; 4) permit forestry as a use by right in all zoning districts; 5) modify the minimum lot sizes for the R-3 Zoning District differentiating lots with on lot sewer and/or water systems from lots with public sewer and water systems; and 6) adding and modifying several definitions. There was some discussion on the definition of "agriculture". Mr. Frank stated that he could ask the Township to modify the definition of "agriculture".

A motion was made by Mr. McCandless and seconded by Mr. Garrett to recommend approval of the Hempfield Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment with the recommendation that they modify the "agriculture" definition. The motion passed.

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to conduct, the meeting adjourned at 8:05 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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