Planning Commission

The Halifax Township Planning Commission held its regular meeting on May 6, 2024, with all five members present: Chairman Jake Gruver, Randy Paul, Chad Lebo, Don Hentz, and Dwight Hoffman, joined by Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky and Engineer Alex Greenly. The one-hour session was devoted almost entirely to the commission's ongoing effort to modernize the township's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO), with no new business items and no formal votes beyond routine matters.

• SALDO definitions overhaul (Article 3): The commission worked through definition revisions coordinated with the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission. The definition of "Structure" will be replaced with the TCRPC model definition, dropping "without any foundation or footings" and adding a 180-day limit. Solicitor Warshawsky will incorporate roughly three pages of TCRPC notes to formally define terms currently used but undefined in the SALDO.
• Flag lot driveway width deferred: Whether flag lot driveways must be 25 or 30 feet wide was raised but not resolved; the decision was pushed to the next meeting.
• Stormwater sections to become standalone ordinance: During review of Article 5 (Design Standards), the commission confirmed that Sections 508, 509, and 510 on stormwater management will be removed from the SALDO and established as a separate stormwater ordinance.
• Article 4 (Plan Procedures) reviewed: The commission went through a red-lined draft from Solicitor Warshawsky. No changes were finalized.
• Section 606 (Curbs and Gutters) unchanged: The commission reviewed this section and determined no revisions are needed.
• Sign ordinance referred to Board of Supervisors: Randy Paul raised the possibility of a sign ordinance and will gather reference material. Board of Supervisors Chairman Bechtel was expected to bring the topic up at the May 13 supervisors meeting.
• Tri-County representative requested for next meeting: Tanner Stroup was absent and was asked to attend the June 3, 2024 meeting.
• Public comment — subdivision deed inquiry: Resident Mike Lebo asked about obtaining a deed for a property subdivided under a plan recorded in 2012. Solicitor Warshawsky confirmed he should be able to obtain one since the plan is already on record.