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2011 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE WILMINGTON TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
February 21, 2012
As mandated by section 207 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, the Wilmington Township (Lawrence County) Planning Commission makes the following report to the Board of Supervisors with regard to the Planning Commission's activities for 2011.
The Planning Commission met thirteen (13) times during 2011. Twelve (12) of these meetings were our regular monthly meetings. The other was a called meeting the cost of which was borne by applicants.
The Commission dealt with six (6) proposed subdivisions. Five (5) of these were approved while the sixth is pending. All of these proposals were minor subdivisions or lot line adjustments, although all but two (2) of the proposals involved multiple lots. Three (3) of these subdivision reviews took more than one meeting, in every case because the applicant failed to provide required information.
The Commission reviewed and recommended to the Supervisors for their action one (1) request for a conditional use approval. This involved the approval of a medical building.
The Commission reviewed and recommended to the Supervisors for their action of two (2) land development proposals. The Commission also approved three (3) stormwater management plans, two (2) of which were associated with the two (2) land development plans.
The Commission recommended two (2) changes to the Township Zoning Ordinance, one (1) establishing a new R-3 (Residential-Commercial Transition) district and one making provision for school bus garages.
At several of our meetings persons from the community were present to give input on the aforementioned items and/or to seek informal advice from the Commission.
The Commission spent a great deal of time trying to understand the new Stormwater Ordinance and how best to implement it. We have worked with several parties, including the Township Solicitor and Township Engineer, in this regard. We also wrote to the County Commissioners and the State elected officials to seek ways that the problems associated with the state-mandated ordinance could be reduced.
The Commission has been working on a possible amendment to the Zoning Ordinance dealing with oil and gas exploration.
In addition to the matters noted above, the Secretary reported that he had several meetings and telephone conversations with the Township Solicitor and Township Engineer with regard to various of the issues noted above, particularly the Stormwater Ordinance. He also responded as an individual to various questions posed to him during the year by people seeking advice on matters pertaining to zoning or subdivisions within the Township.
Further details on all activities summarized in this annual report may be found in the minutes of the Commission that have been submitted regularly to the Supervisors.
Adopted by the Wilmington Township Planning Commission at its meeting of February 21, 2012.
Frederick R. Neikirk Secretary