Zoning & Subdivision
Review Committee
Meeting
Tuesday
– October 25, 2005 – 6:30 p.m. at the MCRPC Offices
2491 Highland Road – Hermitage, PA (724) 981-2412
NOTE
CHANGE OF MEETING DATE & TIME
MEMBERS PRESENT
& OTHERS PRESENT
Mr. Sam Scott, Chairman,
called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. A quorum was present. Mr.
Scott noted that the Minutes of the September 20, 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. Zoning Ordinance Text
Amendment – City of Hermitage - Mr.
Dash explained that the City of Hermitage is revising the definitions of
"basement" and "floor area". The proposed amendment would
amend Section 202 – Definitions, to change the definitions of basement and
floor area to the following:
--Basement – a story or a
portion of a story entirely below an upper story, and wholly or
partly below the average grade of the surrounding ground with at least
one-half (1/2) of its height (measured from floor to ceiling) below the
average grade level of the surrounding ground.
--Floor Area – the sum of
the gross area of the several floors of a building or buildings, excluding [basements]
basement areas used for storage only, measured from the face of
the exterior walls separating two (2) buildings.
Mr. Dash explained that the
reason for this amendment was the 18 North Overlay Zoning District’s intent
was to allow for expanded office or specialty retail uses, in exchange for
certain design standards. A recent land development plan included a building
with a floor area of 5,000 square feet, and a basement area that included
almost 6,500 square feet of offices. He noted that a recent land development
plan was permitted to do this, due to the vague definitions of basement and
floor area. The City of Hermitage would like to revise the definition of
basement and floor area so this situation would not happen again.
In discussion, Mr. Scott asked
where this property is located. Mr. Dash stated that the building was built
along Rt. 18, south of Morefield Road, and houses the main business of Pioneer
Home Equity. There being no further discussion, a
motion was made by Mr. McCandless and seconded by Mr. Garrett to recommend
approval of this proposed amendment. The motion passed.
2. Modification Request –
Delaware Township – Mr. Dash
explained that he received a modification request from Uriah Hostetler, owner
of current Lot 1, in Delaware Township. The property which is proposed to be
subdivided, Lot 1-A is 2 acres. Currently Lot 1 is 5.619 acres. The existing
land use and the proposed land use would be Single-Family Residence and
Agricultural Use. The modification that is being requested is to Section
407(2.f); the depth of a lot shall not exceed four times the width of the lot.
Currently, the property slopes down towards Mill Run, south of the property.
Wetlands are shown to be north of Mill Run on the National Wetlands Inventory
map. The owners are proposing to create Lot 1-A, which would be an adjoiner to
Lot 1. Lot 1 is approximately 1135’ in depth and 135’ in width. This lot
was granted a modification in February 2002 by MCRPC. The adjoiner would
create a lot that would be 135’ in width and 1410’ in depth. Lot 1-A is
proposed to be added for additional pasture land for the agricultural
operations on Lot 1. He stated there seems to be no other feasible
alternatives to this site other than approving or denying the modification.
In discussion, Committee
members questioned if Mr. Hostetler owned any other property in this area. Mr.
Dash stated no, and that the properties on all sides of this lot are owned by
other owners. Mr. McCandless questioned the land use on neighboring
properties. Mr. Dash stated that there are woods at the rear of the property.
Committee members questioned if 7 ˝ acres would be large enough to farm. Mr.
Dash stated that they raise livestock on the existing parcel, and are looking
for extra pasture land for their animals. After discussion, a
motion was made by Mr. Garrett and seconded by Mr. Hogan to recommend approval
of this proposed modification. Mr. McAdams voted no. The motion passed.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further
business to conduct, the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrew Dash,
Planner
Mercer
County Regional Planning Commission
2491 Highland Road, Hermitage, PA 16148
mail@mcrpc.com www.mcrpc.com
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