SALDO Hearing
Summary
Halifax Township held a public hearing on December 19, 2011 to receive questions and comments on proposed amendments to its Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO). All five supervisors were present — Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Gary Shultz, Linda Stopfel, Carol Eppley, and Ken Hoover — along with Engineer Tom Wilson, Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky, and Secretary Carolyn Nye. A court reporter produced an official transcript of the proceedings.
- SALDO amendment overview: Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky reviewed the legal publication process and walked through the proposed changes, while Engineer Tom Wilson presented an overhead illustration of the amendments. The revisions had been developed by the Planning Commission, solicitor, and engineer with input from board members and outside agencies.
- Soil stockpiling concern: Resident Norma Shearer raised concern about soil stockpiled during construction projects washing onto neighboring properties. Warshawsky and Wilson suggested addressing the issue when the SALDO is reopened to incorporate Flood Plain regulations; Linda Stopfel urged the board to follow through on it.
- Parking language review: Resident Bob Artman requested to see the specific wording change recommended by the Tri County Planning Commission regarding parking requirements. Tom Wilson reviewed those changes during the hearing.
- Non-dwelling structures clarified: Shearer also asked how the amended SALDO applies to non-commercial outbuildings; Warshawsky clarified these are best described as storage sheds and are addressed in the ordinance summary.
- Public commendation: Resident Flo Mallonee commended the board and staff for the quality of work put into the SALDO revision, both past and present.
Following adjournment at 6:50 p.m., Chairman Bechtel announced the board would reconvene at 7:00 p.m. for a separate Special Township Meeting.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman/Supervisor) · Gary Shultz (Supervisor) · Linda Stopfel (Supervisor) · Carol Eppley (Supervisor) · Ken Hoover (Supervisor) · Tom Wilson (Engineer) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Carolyn Nye (Secretary)
Public comments
Meeting business
PURPOSE / SOLICITOR'S SUMMARY
Chairman Bechtel explained the hearing's purpose is to address questions and concerns about the proposed amended SALDO, developed by the Planning Commission, Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky, and Engineer Tom Wilson with input from Board members. Warshawsky detailed the legal publication process under the Second Class Township Code and confirmed copies were provided to the Dauphin County Conservation District, Dauphin County Law Library, Dauphin County Commissioners, and Tri County Planning Commission as required by the Municipal Planning Code. Wilson provided an overhead illustration as Warshawsky reviewed the changes.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Norma Shearer asked about non-dwellings and noncommercial buildings, which Warshawsky clarified as storage sheds; she also raised concerns about soil stockpiling in development projects washing onto neighboring properties, which the Solicitor and Engineer suggested addressing when the SALDO is reopened for Flood Plain regulations. Supervisor Stopfel supported pursuing the soil issue. Flo Mallonee commended everyone involved in the SALDO work, and Bob Artman requested to see the Tri County Planning Commission's suggested language change regarding parking, which Tom Wilson reviewed.
ADJOURNMENT
Supervisor Hoover moved to adjourn the hearing at 6:50 p.m., seconded by Supervisor Stopfel; the motion carried 5-0. Chairman Bechtel announced a ten-minute recess before the Special Township Meeting at 7 p.m.
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