Planning Commission
Summary
The Halifax Township Planning Commission met on August 1, 2016, with all five members present: Flo Mallonee, Fred Ford, Dwight Hoffman, Randy Paul, and Chad Lebo, along with Engineer Steve Roe and Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky. The hour-long session focused on land development applications and stormwater management, including a significant vote to restructure the township's stormwater regulations into a standalone ordinance.
- Flight Source storage building recommended for approval (5-0): Bill Burch, representing Flight Source, received a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors with waivers for the preliminary plan and sidewalks (sidewalks to be installed if later required). Approval is contingent on resolving comments from the township engineer, S&E, PennDOT, and the Conservation District. A tree buffer condition was added to the plan as a matter of public record, requiring a buffer between parcels if ownership is ever split.
- Doughboys Restaurant & Micro Brewery plan accepted (5-0): The commission accepted the B2 Partners development plan for a restaurant and micro brewery, along with an initial engineering review fee of $1,500.
- Stormwater waiver granted for Donald Hoffman's shed (5-0): The stormwater management plan requirement was waived based on property size and the proposed shed's location.
- Reed stormwater application recommended for approval (4-0, one abstention): A stormwater application for a single-family dwelling on a 4.5+ acre lot along South River Road was forwarded to the Board of Supervisors, with a stipulation to correct the financial security. The construction estimate arrived so late that Engineer Roe had not yet reviewed it.
- Stormwater management to become a standalone ordinance (5-0): The commission voted to split stormwater management out of the SALDO into its own ordinance, selecting "Option #3" as the framework — a notable regulatory restructuring for the township.
- Rode property stormwater enforcement: Engineer Roe reported that the Rode family built a 30×32 shed and then applied for a building permit for a 16×30 addition only after receiving a cease-and-desist. Their stormwater plan meets rate controls, but volume controls are unclear; Roe recommended clarification using the CG1 or CG2 method before the Board of Supervisors meeting.
- Subdivision review policy discussion: Chad Lebo raised whether the commission should review subdivisions not adjoining a township road. Chairman Bechtel agreed to revisit the question at a future meeting and bring it to the Board of Supervisors.
Who was there
Flo Mallonee (Member) · Fred Ford (Member) · Dwight Hoffman (Member) · Randy Paul (Member) · Chad Lebo (Member) · Steve Roe (Engineer) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor)
Meeting business
Approval of Minutes
Fred Ford motioned, seconded by Randy Paul, to accept the minutes from July 6, 2016. Motion carried 5-0.
Old Business
Bill Burch, on behalf of Flight Source, requested waivers for sidewalks/curbs and preliminary plan requirements. Discussion covered a cross easement for inspection access, tree buffer conditions, NPDES permit work with the Conservation District, and connection to public water supply. Randy Paul motioned, seconded by Fred Ford, to recommend approval to the Board of Supervisors with contingencies on completing the Township Engineer's report comments, S&E, PennDOT, and Conservation District requirements; an amended motion included approval of the preliminary plan waiver and sidewalk waiver with a note that sidewalks will be installed if later required. Motion carried 5-0.
New Business
Randy Paul motioned, seconded by Dwight Hoffman, to accept the plan submitted by B2 Partners/Doughboys along with the initial engineering fee estimate of $1,500.00. Motion carried 5-0.
Chad Lebo motioned, seconded by Randy Paul, to accept Donald Hoffman's request to waive the stormwater management plan requirement based on the property size and proposed shed location. Motion carried 5-0.
A stormwater management application with an executed O&M Agreement was submitted for a proposed single-family dwelling on an existing 4.5+ acre lot along South River Road, with 4,100 square feet of total impervious coverage. The construction estimate was submitted late and not yet reviewed by the Township Engineer. Fred Ford motioned, seconded by Randy Paul, to recommend approval to the Board of Supervisors with a stipulation for correction in the financial security. Motion carried 4-0 with one abstention.
Fred Ford motioned, seconded by Randy Paul, to have stormwater management split from the SALDO as a standalone ordinance and to adopt option #3 as the new standalone ordinance. Motion carried 5-0.
Public Comment
Chad Lebo raised the idea of reviewing subdivisions not adjoining a Township Road; Chairman Bechtel suggested the Planning Commission review this at a future meeting and bring it to the Board of Supervisors. Engineer Steve Roe reported that the Rodes had built a 30x32 shed and applied for a building permit for a 16x30 addition after receiving a cease and desist; their stormwater management meets rate controls but volume controls are unclear, and Roe recommended they clarify using the CG1 or CG2 method before the Board of Supervisors meeting.
Adjournment
Randy Paul motioned, seconded by Dwight Hoffman, to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.