Planning Commission
Summary
The Halifax Township Planning Commission held its annual reorganization and first regular meeting of 2025 on January 7, with Vice-Chairman Randy Paul presiding in the absence of two members. Randy Paul, Don Hentz, and Dwight Hoffman were present, joined by Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky, Engineer Alex Greenly, and Tanner Stroup of the Tri-County Planning Commission; Jake Gruver and Chad Lebo were absent. The commission elected its 2025 officers, advanced a stormwater ordinance, and addressed several active land development matters. All votes were unanimous at 3-0.
- 2025 officers elected: Jake Gruver was elected Chairman (despite his absence), Randy Paul as Vice-Chairman, and Dwight Hoffman as Secretary — all by unopposed votes.
- Stormwater Management Ordinance approved as standalone: The commission adopted the ordinance incorporating recommendations from the Tri-County Planning Commission. A separate motion added a row for Flag Lots in the on-lot sewer and public water provisions. However, a second Tri-County recommendation — modifying the Land Development definition to align with the Municipalities Planning Code — was not incorporated because Halifax Township had previously made its own changes to that definition.
- Sign Ordinance tabled: Deferred to next month due to too many absent members. The commission plans to review a sample ordinance from Brown Township before resuming discussion.
- Hale Land Development time extension: The commission recommended the Board of Supervisors approve a time extension through April 14, 2025.
- King's Storage Facility update: The NPDES application has been submitted and received an initial review with comments from Engineer Alex Greenly. Outstanding questions remain regarding the right-of-way, fencing, and facilities on the property. No vote was taken.
- Anderson Land Development Phase 2 — solar fence waiver: The commission forwarded a modified conditional approval to the Board of Supervisors recommending a waiver of Section 3b.8a of the Solar Ordinance to permit a four-foot fence.
Who was there
Randy Paul (Vice-Chairman) · Don Hentz (Planning Commission Member) · Dwight Hoffman (Planning Commission Member) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Alex Greenly (Engineer) · Tanner Stroup (Tri-County Planning Commission)
Meeting business
Reorganization
Dwight Hoffman nominated Jake Gruver as Chairman, seconded by Randy Paul. Nominations were closed with no other nominees. Motion carried 3-0. Jake Gruver is Chairman of the Planning Commission for 2025.
Dwight Hoffman nominated Randy Paul for Vice-Chairman, seconded by Don Hentz. Nominations were closed with no other nominees. Motion carried 3-0. Randy Paul is Vice-Chairman for 2025.
Randy Paul nominated Dwight Hoffman as Secretary, seconded by Don Hentz. Nominations were closed with no other nominees. Motion carried 3-0. Dwight Hoffman is Secretary for 2025.
Regular Meeting
Dwight Hoffman moved and Don Hentz seconded approval of the December 2, 2024 meeting minutes. Motion carried 3-0.
Old Business
The Commission approved the Stormwater Management Ordinance as a standalone with all recommendations (motion by Dwight Hoffman, seconded by Randy Paul, 3-0). Tanner Stroup from Tri-County Planning Commission recommended modifying the Land Development definition for MPC consistency and adding a row for Flag Lots for on-lot sewer and public water. A second motion by Randy Paul (seconded by Dwight Hoffman, 3-0) incorporated the Flag Lots row but excluded the Land Development definition change due to previous changes made by Halifax Township.
Tabled until next month with no discussion or action taken due to too many absent members. The Commission plans to review a sample ordinance from Brown Township.
Don Hentz moved and Randy Paul seconded a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors to approve the Hale time extension until April 14, 2025. Motion carried 3-0.
The NPDES application has been submitted. Alex Greenly completed the first review with comments. Questions were raised regarding the right-of-way, fencing, and facilities on the property.
The applicant sought a waiver of Section 3b.8a of the Solar Ordinance for a four-foot fence. Dwight Hoffman moved and Randy Paul seconded to modify the conditional approval of the Anderson Land Development to include the waiver and recommend it to the Board of Supervisors. Motion carried 3-0.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.