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Oil Creek tackles land use issues by Holly Matthews OIL CREEK TOWNSHIP � A number of planning issues received the attention of township supervisors Thursday during their regular meeting. The discussions centered around proposed shared land uses under a project also involving Titusville and Hydetown, and a draft subdivision/land use ordinance. The shared land uses proposal is part of a Land Use Planning and Technical Assistance Program, LUPTAP, project funded through a joint grant obtained by the three municipalities. The supervisors focused on a worksheet which detailed possible land uses which the municipalities must allow for � as well as which land uses each has said it would want or would not want. Oil Creek is rejecting three land uses � sanitary landfills, detention homes and sexually-oriented businesses. Hydetown and Titusville also rejected these uses along with others. The supervisors said a problem may be encountered if all the municipalities continue to reject landfills, detention homes and sexually-oriented businesses. It is the supervisors� understanding that all uses addressed in the plan must be permitted somewhere within the three communities. Secretary-treasurer Jody Davison said if the township were to accept one of the uses it might use regulations, licensing and zoning where not feasible to avoid these businesses. The township planning commission which worked on Oil Creek�s portion of the proposal also had rejected motels and hotels being located within the township as well as heavy industry. The supervisors disagreed with those exclusions and moved them into the permitted use column. Supervisor Chairman Mike Colbert said he was upset that the shared land uses report was received just this week and the supervisors are being asked to have an approved document in time for a March 8 meeting of the joint steering committee. Colbert said it is his opinion that each community should accept one of the three uses which all have rejected � unless legal language exists which would allow them to deny those uses. Supervisor Don Kerr concurred. �This needs resolved before the final draft,� he said. Supervisor Bob Morris added, �We need to know if there are penalties for not providing a place for them.� The supervisors voted to move the proposal on to the steering committee with their three use rejections. Colbert cast the lone vote against the motion, stating he did not like handling things in a piecemeal fashion. Also Thursday, the supervisors began a review of a draft subdivision/land development ordinance. The review will continue next month. Referring to a section which involves mobile home parks, Colbert said he believes some of the proposals are too restrictive. The supervisors made two appointments to fill vacancies on the township planning commission. Brett Hasbrouck was named to fill out the remainder of a term which expires at the end of this year. John Herman was appointed to a full four-year term. A continuing nuisance case was briefly discussed and a hearing date set. The nuisance involves runoff from a barn area. The owner has been sent a notice of the violation and has requested a hearing be held. The supervisors will ask a representative of the Soil Conservation Service to suggest a remedy. They said it is their hope the situation can be worked out without a hearing. However, if the hearing is necessary, it will be held at 6:30 p.m. on April 7. Also during the meeting, the supervisors: n Agreed to attend a pre-construction meeting for Wal-Mart�s highway work at 10 a.m. March 8 at Pike Co.�s job trailer. n Reported that the 2006 township real estate and per capita tax notices will be mailed with county notices. This will be earlier than usual. n Approved payment of LUPTAP planning invoice from Graney, Grossman, Colosimo & Associates in the amount of $7,500, contingent upon receipt of payment shares from the city and Hydetown. The township portion of the bill is $4,016. n Agreed to transfer of the township cable franchise from Cebridge Connections to Armstrong, but delayed any action on a new franchise agreement. The supervisors plan to request a five-year agreement rather than a 15-year agreement. n Tabled until next meeting action on the re-draft of a waterline easement agreement and cover letter to the city for Wal-Mart�s water service connection. The township does not agree with new language added to the agreement by the city. It was noted that the action will delay nothing as the line already is in place. n Authorized roadmaster Morris to purchase additional anti-skid if it becomes necessary. Add a comment |
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