Planning Commission

The Halifax Township Planning Commission met on July 7, 2010, with all five members present: Chairman Fred Ford, Vice Chairman Bob Artman, Randy Paul, Mark Reed, and Steve Sipe. The township engineer, solicitor, and secretary were not in attendance as no formal action items were on the agenda. The session focused on an informal subdivision sketch plan, early work on revising the township's subdivision ordinance, and updates on FEMA flood mapping.

• Deppen Sketch Plan: Allen Deppen and George Deppen presented a sketch plan for a simple land subdivision. The commission provided an informal assessment of what would likely be required under the Township's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO); no formal action was taken.
• Appalachian Trail Act (Act 23 of 2009) removed from agenda: Fred Ford pulled this item, noting there is no guidance available for townships without zoning and no enforcement mechanism for the August 2010 implementation deadline. Jim Szymborski of the Dauphin County Planning Commission advised the township to continue pursuing its Regional Comprehensive Plan, which could eventually lead to regional zoning.
• SALDO revision underway: The commission began a preliminary review of Articles 1, 2, and 3 of the SALDO for potential modifications, with Article 4 scheduled for the August meeting. Resident Flo Mallonee asked when the public would be able to review proposed changes; Fred Ford indicated it would be some time, as the review was just beginning.
• FEMA flood map update: Brad Bruner asked about the status of updated FEMA flood maps. Fred Ford reported that engineer Tom Wilson was still working on them and reviewed the deadlines for appeals, amendments, and adoption, noting potential changes to flood insurance requirements for homeowners.