West Sadsbury Township Planning Commission Meeting October 24, 2017

Planning Commission members in attendance were Barry Edwards, Ed Haas, Darren DeVoe, Benuel Stoltzfus, Ashley Melasecca, and Dave Markward. Cory Rathman from Becker Engineering was also present.

Also in attendance were Calvin Beam, Josele Cleary, Roger Nellius, Danuel Beiler, David Newswanger, Aaron King Jr., Gideon Stoltzfus, Ken Smoker, Jim Fisher, Benuel K. Stoltzfus, Larry Newswanger, Ernest Oppenheim, Nancy Oppenheim, Jeff Petersen, Leon Glick, and Jacob King. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM. A Motion to accept the September 26, 2017 Minutes as written was made by Darren and seconded by Ed. The Motion passed.

Regional Planning Commission No report.

OLD BUSINESS

 Steven and Susie Stoltzfus Subdivision Plan of property at 485 N. Octorara Trail (Rte 10, south of Quarry Road) canceled their scheduled appearance and informed The Planning Commission that they will be attending a future meeting to discuss their plan. Cory is still waiting on plan revisions from previous meeting.  Calvin Beam again appeared before The Planning Commission to discuss his ongoing subdivision of his property located on the southwest corner of Church Road and Lenover Hill Road. Cory advised Mr. Beam that his surveyor / engineer Kevin Werner, had contacted him in response to the Becker Engineering letter of September 21, 2017. Mr. Werner answered some of Cory’s points and had questions on others. Cory stated he would respond to Mr. Werner’s questions this week. Mr. Beam suggested he will return to our November meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

 Review of the proposed Zoning Ordinance text amendments proposed by Freedom Life Church in conjunction with their plans to build a church at the southwest corner of Zook Road and Rte 41 in the RMD District. Cory discussed Becker Engineering letter of October 20, 2017 with The Planning Commission.  Review of the proposed Zoning Ordinance text amendments proposed by Bedwell Development in conjunction with their plans for a mixed-use shopping/commercial development on the northwest corner of Rtes 10 and 30. The Planning Commission discussed the latest flex building use building design submitted by Randy White.  Discussion of any other topics that should be addressed in a future revision to the Zoning Ordinance included further discussion of horse barn regulations and solar panel installation regulations. ZONING HEARING BOARD UPDATES

 On November 16, 2017, the Zoning Hearing Board will consider an Application by Jacob S. & Emma K. King to construct a 1,064 SF Horse Barn and keep one (1) horse on a 1.953 acre parcel at 849 Zook Road in the RMD District. This is similar to the Application that the Kings presented to the ZHB in August and which was subsequently denied: however, they have revised their original plan by relocating the proposed horse barn slightly and have reduced the number of horses to be housed on the property from two (2) to one (1). Josele Cleary, representing the Kings, presented a narrative and noted similar horse barn applications in our township and others that have been granted variances. Many friends and neighbors of the Kings attended this evening’s meeting to support the variance request, including next door neighbor Leon Glick, whose property would be the most significantly impacted by the insufficient setbacks. Noting that the Kings had made significant changes from the original application and that the remaining issues were strictly dimensional in nature, Dave made a Motion for The Planning Commission to recommend that the Zoning Hearing Board grant the requested variances for not meeting property setback distance and size of lot. Darren seconded. The Motion passed. Barry will draft a letter to the ZHB. Additionally, Barry mentioned that the Planning Commission’s previous invitations to the Amish Community to sit down and discuss possible changes to the ordinance as written were not answered. At tonight’s meeting, many in attendance agreed to participate in any future horse barn ordinance meetings.

MISCELLANEOUS

A Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Barry and seconded by Dave. The Motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 9:30. The next meeting will be Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at 7:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Dave Markward Recorder