July 12, 2001 Maidencreek Supervisor's Meeting:
*** Remember the Special Meeting: July 26, 2001 5:00 PM at the Township Building ***
Dealing with the Schaeffer Farm Re-zoning
Zoning:
The owner of property just southwest of the Coke plant has requested a change from residential to industrial. This request was referred to the County Planning Commission, and our local planning commission. This type of change would improve the tax base of the school system.
Noise Ordinance:
The noise ordinance was amended to eliminate the exclusion of areas zoned industrial, and only exclude industrial uses. I voted against this, not that I feel that strongly on this specific amendment, but mainly because of my concern for the noise ordinance overall. I fear it may become a tool neighbors will use the gang up on one another.
Sewage Ordinance:
The board has a draft copy of an ordinance that will allow us to pump out failed septic systems, and bill the property owner. This ordinance is intended to protect the neighbors, who would be at risk of having sewage leak onto their property. I support this ordinance. I am hopeful it will pass at the August meeting. The draft copy was a model ordinance made by D.E.P. It included sections on an initial inspection of every system, and a mandatory 3 year pump out schedule for all systems. The township would police this. Although periodic pumping is necessary to maintain a long lived properly operating septic system, we voted to eliminate this from our ordinance. We decided adults should be responsible enough to maintain their own systems. We don't want the township in the role of potty police. ( Perhaps domestic disputes could be reduced if the Township adopted an ordinance requiring toilets seats be lowered after use.) We will, however, force you to fix failed systems.
International Property Maintenance Code:
I may live to regret my vote for this ordinance. My fear is often these things have unintended consequences. All three of us voted for this code. It is intended to remedy the inadequacies of the current weed ordinance, and perhaps some other issues where people abuse their neighbors. By the time the current weed ordinance is done with due process the weeds have gone to seed. The troubling thing is the size of the International Property Maintenance Code book. A book that big could be loaded with unintended consequences. The board of Supervisors is the appeal board. If I learn this code is used to throttle people's liberty, and overly protect their neighbor's property at the expense of them enjoying their own property, I am not adverse to repealing it. It would only take two out of three.
Parks and Recreation
The new channel for the stream relocation is complete. The contractor has to plant vegetation, but fears it will be washed out. The vegetation must be in place for 12 months before the channel can be used. The township will assume the risk if the newly planted vegetation is washed out.
At the last meeting the Park and Rec. Board had submitted a plan for a Tot Lot at Tree Tops. This was about a $135,000 tot lot. It is my position that Park and Rec. needs to budget their money. They have the 1/2 mil special tax that raises over $165,000 per year, and any impact fees from developers. They need to accomplish the following:
Maintain the existing property (mowing etc.)
Retire debt from the purchase of the new land adjacent to the main park.
Pay for improvements (stream relocation, new park construction etc.)
It is clear that a $135,000 tot lot is a possibility, but it will have to be phased in over time. The impact fees are difficult to predict, and perhaps are best used for additional debt retirement, or purchase of durable improvements. The property tax comes in like clock work, and needs to form the back bone of the budget. The Park and Rec. asked if they could have the Tot Lot. The supervisors reply was in effect, "We're not saying 'NO' but you need to provide a financial plan showing how will accomplish your goals within your budget."
paid for by Roy Timpe