FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Hearing for the Amendment to the

Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance

August 19, 2004

ROLL CALL

Present were Supervisors Ed Balsavage, Naomi Decker, Larry Lambert, Don Lerew, John Shambaugh, Secretary Linda Hansen. Visitors included: Art Bert, Charles Bower, Peg Williams, Marlene Stiffler, Marc Anderson, Rodney Decker, Bob Eichelberger, Lynn Potts, Carl Zeigler, Jane Alexander, Patrick Hephner.

ORDER OF BUSINESS

Chairman Ed Balsavage opened the hearing with comments from the floor at 6:30 p.m

Art Bert is one hundred percent in favor of the proposed changes, especially changing the minimum lot size to 4 acres. With the proposed changes he will not be able to subdivide his 6 acres for his sons, but he still believes the 4 acre minimum is the right thing to do.

Carl Zeigler asked the purpose for going to 4 acre lots. He feels the township should stay with the one and a half acre lots. Mr. Zeigler also wanted to know what the restrictions will be with the 4 acre lots.

Charles Bower wanted to know if the associations will be held responsible. The township should require a trustee to be held accountable for the costs for improvements. Solicitor Schorpp stated the ordinance provides for liens to be placed on properties if a private septic system is created for a development and the system fails requiring the township to pay for repairs.

Lynn Potts is against the 4 acre minimum. It is a waste of land and it will harm the young people who can not afford to buy a 4 acre lot.

Marc Anderson is in opposition to the 4 acre lot size. He and his family have lived in Franklin Township for 7 years saving money to a buy a lot to build on. This 4 acre minimum will force them to move to another township. The proposed ordinance is excluding good people from buying land in the township. This Board is forgetting they were elected to represent the whole community not just a small part of the community as they are doing with this ordinance.

Patrick Hephner said the whole picture needs to be looked at. He does not feel age is a factor. Many young people have bought lots in excess of 2 acres in his area of the township.

Naomi Decker stated they did choose to do a subdivision with bigger lots but to also remember that smaller lots are needed. York County Planning Commission advised against changing the ordinance to 4 acre lots. She also stated the township solicitor advised against the 4 acre lots since it will not stand up to a challenge.

Patrick Hephner said there are places that only allow development in certain areas to control growth. What is being purposed is not a new idea.

Larry Lambert stated farm land preservation is trying to be accomplished. The citizens of Franklin Township have voiced over and over that they want preservation of the rural environment. Decreasing usage of the roads, decreasing the pressure on schools and decreasing services, will lower taxes.

Jane Alexander said she owns land in Franklin Township. A number of her clients are older residents in the township and plan on retiring. They have expressed the desire to keep the lots at the current size. She also knows people with large lots who are struggling to maintain their land. Conservation areas can maintain farm land. Four acre lots are a waste of farm land.

Marc Anderson stated it comes down to choice. There is a wrong assumption that everyone wants this.

The public hearing was closed at 7:00 p.m.

Linda J. Hansen

Secretary