FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Zoning Workshop

June 30, 2004

 

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Balsavage called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m.   The meeting was held at the Franklin Township Municipal Building located at 150 Century Lane, Dillsburg, PA.

 

ROLL CALL

Present were Supervisors Ed Balsavage, Naomi Decker, Larry Lambert, Don Lerew, John Shambaugh, Engineer Tim Knoebel, Secretary Linda Hansen.  Visitors included: Rodney Decker, Bob Eichelberger, Wayne Kober, Patrick Hephner, Cynthia Jones.

 

ORDER OF BUSINESS

The meeting was held to discuss zoning.   There was a consensus of the Board that zoning is needed in Franklin Township.  Supervisor Balsavage said the zoning ordinance would be for Franklin Township, not a joint zoning ordinance with other municipalities.  Larry Lambert said zoning is a land use tool.

 

The Comprehensive Plan may allow the different municipalities to provide different uses.  This must be checked into.  If the Comprehensive Plan does not get adopted, the township must provide every use in the zoning ordinance.

 

John Shambaugh stated Engineer Tim Knoebel would take the lead to prepare the zoning ordinance.  The Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission should have a joint work session.  Engineer Knoebel felt a zoning ordinance draft would take less than a year to develop.

 

Naomi Decker had concerns about the adoption of the comprehensive plan.  Wayne Kober and Ed Balsavage both stated that the comprehensive plan does not mandate anything.  Zoning is legally binding but the comprehensive plan is not.  Even if the comprehensive plan is not adopted, the information in the plan can be used to prepare a zoning ordinance.  Tim Knoebel said it would be a good idea to get a written opinion from our solicitor.

 

Wayne Kober felt setting up workshop dates in advance would be better than waiting to schedule meetings as they are needed.

 

Tim Knoebel can get the map from the comprehensive plan in digital format.  The regulations for zoning are stipulated in the Municipal Planning Code. 

 

Discretionary Funds are available from the York County Planning Commission for zoning ordinances.  Ed Balsavage will call Chuck Knowles and send a letter to see if the township can get funding for a zoning ordinance. 

 

Giving a “not to exceed price” for a zoning ordinance can be very difficult.  Tim Knoebel said he can donate some of his time but not his staff’s time

 

 

York County Planning is willing to come to the township to present information on zoning and the Municipal Planning Code.

 

The Governor’s Center for Local Government should also be contacted to see if there are any grants available for zoning ordinances.

 

Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by Larry Lambert to have Engineer Tim Knoebel start preparing a zoning ordinance.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.  The first item needed is a budget for preparing a plan.  The second is preparation of a milestone schedule.  The status of the comprehensive plan needs to be considered.  The supervisors would like the cost estimate and timeline draft by the July meeting if possible.

 

The zoning and planning committee is Wayne Kober and Bob Eichelberger at this time.  

    

Ed Balsavage made a motion seconded by Larry Lambert to pay the bills.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

 

Larry Lambert made motion seconded by Ed Balsavage to adjourn.  Meeting was adjourned at 1:15 p.m.

 

 

 

 

Linda J. Hansen

Secretary