Mercer County Regional Planning Commission, Hermitage, Pennsylvania

 

Zoning & Subdivision Review Committee

Meeting Minutes

Tuesday – September 20, 2005 – 7:30 p.m. at the MCRPC Offices
2491 Highland Road – Hermitage, PA (724) 981-2412

MEMBERS PRESENT & OTHERS PRESENT

  • Samuel Scott, Chairman

  • James Rollinson 

  • Fred Brenner

  • Chuck Garrett

  • James Hogan

  • Clifford McCandless

  • Ron Faull

  • James Hughes

  • Larry McAdams

  • Tom Stanton

  • Andrew Dash, Planner – MCRPC

  • Dan Gracenin, Executive Director - MCRPC

Mr. Sam Scott, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. A quorum was present. Mr. Scott noted that the Minutes of the August 16, 2005 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. Mercer County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance Update - Mr. Dash explained that about a month and a half ago regional meetings were held around the County and stated that overall, we received some good comments on the content of the ordinance. The first comment that was made, which was brought up at the Sandy Lake meeting, was discussing street width. Basically they felt that street width for Type II and Type III subdivisions, urban and suburban subdivisions, were too wide and that they wanted to keep the street width the same as they currently are or possibly narrower streets. Mr. Dash explained to them that the fire department would rather see wider streets.

The second comment that was made, which was brought up at the Lackawannock Township meeting, was regarding street trees. The comment was that they felt that street trees should be allowed on both sides of the sidewalk, instead of between the street and sidewalk. Mr. Dash noted that this would ease any conflict with underground or overhead utilities. The comment regarding street trees that was made at the Pine Township meeting was basically that they felt that they do not want street trees because they have concerns with utilities and maintenance. Mr. Dash noted that street trees are only required in the Type III subdivisions, which basically is any lot less than 25,000 square feet.

The third comment that was made, which was brought up at the Pine Township meeting, was regarding curbing. Currently curbing is not required in Type I or Type II subdivisions, but is required in Type III subdivisions. Basically they felt that they do not want curbing because of plowing the streets.

The fourth comment that was made, which was brought up at the Pine Township meeting, was regarding sidewalks. Basically they do not want sidewalks because of underground utilities and maintenance questions. In the new ordinance, sidewalks are only required in the Type III subdivisions.

 

Mr. Dash explained that the MCRPC staff discussed the comments made after the regional meetings. The discussion among the staff was that they felt there was a lot of value in some of those regulations such as sidewalks and trees. Allowing flexibility of street trees to be located on either side of the sidewalk did not seem like a huge issue. The staff also felt that curbing and sidewalks in Type III subdivisions do have a value to them in the denser developments. The staff also felt that other types of curbing should be looked at such as rolled curbing. Mr. McCandless noted that Grove City Borough has been using rolled curbing and it works really good. The rolled curbing controls water runoff and plows do not have such a difficult time digging into them as the upright curbs. Mr. Brenner noted that maybe we could get specs from a contractor regarding rolled curbing that could be put in the ordinance. Mr. Scott asked if a motion is needed to keep the sidewalks in the ordinance. Mr. Dash explained that the only reason we would need a motion would be for any changes to the ordinance. Mr. Hogan asked who is liable for the curbs. Mr. Dash stated that it would be whoever has ownership of the streets and in most cases it would be the municipality. Mr. Gracenin noted that the homeowner would be liable for the sidewalk. Mr. Scott then asked if anyone had any changes to make to the ordinance. A motion was made by Mr. McCandless to recommend adding rolled curbs as an option to the specifications on streets. Mr. Brenner seconded the motion. The motion passed.

A motion was then made by Mr. Garrett to recommend changing placement of street trees, allowing them on either side of the sidewalk. Mr. Faull seconded. The motion passed.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to conduct, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Andrew Dash,
Planner

 

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

 

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