Planning Commission

The Halifax Township Planning Commission met on June 3, 2024, with all five members present: Chairman Jake Gruver, Randy Paul, Chad Lebo, Don Hentz, and Dwight Hoffman. Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky, HRG engineer Alex Greenly, and Tri-County Planning Commission representative Tanner Stroup also attended. The bulk of the 85-minute session was devoted to a detailed article-by-article review of the township's draft Stormwater Management Ordinance.

• Stormwater Management Ordinance — ongoing review: The commission worked through Articles 3–6 of the draft ordinance covering definitions, plan procedures, design standards, and construction requirements. Key decisions included proposing a minimum 30-foot driveway opening width for flag lots, correcting a typo in Section 501.5 from "Upon Implantation" to "Upon Completion" of the Zoning Ordinance, and reclassifying all minor streets as local roads after consultation with Tri-County. The township engineer was designated as Floodplain Administrator. Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky was asked to deliver an updated red-line version of Article 4 (Plan Procedures) before the next meeting.
• Sign Ordinance — preliminary discussion: The commission began reviewing a sign ordinance, focusing on IBC requirements for sign height, illumination, and location. No vote was taken; review will continue.
• Rowe Subdivision accepted for review: The commission voted 5-0 to accept the Rowe Subdivision application for formal review.
• Public comment — tree removal for development on S. River Road: Travis of Burget and Associates asked about removing a sycamore tree along S. River Road to improve sight distance for a property owned by Garam Farhat. The commission directed them to apply for a Highway Occupancy Permit.
• Public comment — demolished corner lot: A resident asked who owns the corner lot in central Halifax where a structure was recently demolished. The commission advised that PennDOT owns the parcel.