Minutes of the Wilmington Township Planning Commission
Meeting of November 16, 2010
The meeting was convened at 8:01 p.m. at the Township Building. Members present: William Allen; Frank Antoniazzi, chair; John M. Byler; Frederick Neikirk, secretary; and Lynn Williams.
Members absent: None
Visitors: Paul Edmiston.
1. Secretary's Report
a. The minutes of the meeting October 19 of August 17 and September 21 were read. On motion, they were approved with one typographical correction.
b. The Secretary reported that he has received the necessary materials from Dr. Uberti regarding the final dimensions of the property he is proposing to buy. The Secretary and the Township Solicitor met and drafted a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance as requested by the Planning Commission. That proposal has been sent to the County Planning Commission for their comments. Therefore, we can take no action until our next meeting. (See 09/21/10, item 2 for background.)
c. There were no formal applications arising under the Zoning or Subdivision Ordinances.
2. Mr. Edmiston was present to seek information relative to setbacks and access lanes relative to a subdivision that is being considered for a property that abuts the cemetery on whose board he sits. Members offered non-binding advice in response to his questions.
3. The Secretary reported that Mr. Veon (who represents Dr. Uberti) had asked if the Planning Commission was in principle supportive of the proposed zoning change (see above). Mr. Veon is planning to do some site preparation work, but only wants to do that if there is a good likelihood that the proposed change will pass. The sense of the Commission, based on what is known at this time, is that we see no bar to this proposed change.
4. The Secretary reported that in one place the zoning map printed in the zoning book does not match the map recently received by from the County Planning Office. The Solicitor's opinion is that the map printed in the zoning book is the official map. The Secretary will work with County Planning to get a corrected copy of the map they provided.
5. The Secretary reported the advice of the Solicitor that we not seek to add a statement to the zoning ordinance excluding drug and alcohol treatment facilities from the definition of "clinics." (See 09/21/10, item 2 para. 3.) The reason is that such a change would mean there would be no place in the Township were a drug and alcohol treatment facility could be legally operated. That could open the door to a "curative amendment" that could essentially allow an operator to put such a facility wherever they chose. The Solicitor advises that we should not make the aforementioned clarifying amendment until we have an additional amendment that makes clear where such facilities may be operated.
There being no further business that could be accomplished at this meeting, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Frederick R. Neikirk Secretary