Planning Commission Minutes - November 3, 2021  PRESENT: ABSENT: STAFF:  Chairwoman Nancy Moore and Member(s): EdAndrulonis, Diane Bernardo,  David Volpe Member Joe Becker  Code Enforcement/Zoning Officer, Zac Lawhead; City Engineer/Public Works Director, Chris Nasuti; City Solicitor, Toni Cherry; City Secretary, Bobbie  Shaffer; City Manager, John "Herm" Suplizio  The meeting was called to order at 4:16 p.m. by Planning Commission Chairwoman, Nancy Moore.  Approval of Minutes - May 5, 2021  The motion was made by Volpe and seconded by Bernardo that the Planning Commission accept the  minutes of May 5, 2021 as presented by the Administrative Secretary.  VOTE AYES: ABSTAIN: NAYS: MOTION PASSED: Visitor's Comments: None Old Business: None New Business:  Commission Members: Andrulonis, Bernardo, Volpe and Chairwoman Moore  None None  4-0  Barber Financial-196W.I DuBois Avenue Lot Consolidation and Development Plan  Guests: Scott & Larry Barber  Presenter: Jerry Bankovich  Code Enforcementzoning Officer, Zac Lawhead, stated that the property is located on the corner of Mr. Bankovichrevlewed the project with Planning, it consists of a lot consolidation and land development plan for a1,703 square foot addition to the existing building at 196 W. DuBois Avenue. He went on to: say that there will be parking on the side and in the back and the project meets all the Member Bernardo asked if the addition is one story. Mr. Bankovich confirmed iti is. Bernardo saidi it would be nice ifi it was two story and the second: story used for apartments. Mr. Barber stated that due to the nature of his professioni it is not compatible with occupants moving around upstairs. He The motion was made by' Volpe and: seconded by Andrulonis that the Planning Commission recommend to Council that they approve the lot consolidation with the stipulationt that the deed be  Juniata Street and W. DuBois Avenue.  zoningrequirements.  went to say it was an added expense they did not wish to incur.  consolidated prior to a permit being issued.  VOTE    Planning Commission Minutes - November 3, 2021 Commission Members: Andrulonis, Bernardo, Volpe and Chairwoman Moore  Barber Financial-1 196 W. DuBoisAvenue Lot Consolidation and Development Plan (Cont'd.)  AYES: ABSTAIN: NAYS: MOTION PASSED:  None None  4-0  The motion was made by Bernardo and seconded by Voipe that the Planning Commission recommend to Council that they approve the Development Plan as presented.  VOTE AYES: ABSTAIN: NAYS:  Commission Members: Andrulonis, Bernardo, Volpe and Chairwoman Moore  None None  MOTION PASSED: 4-0 Fee Schedule for Abandon Properties  Code Enforcement/Zoning Officer Lawhead stated that the proposed fee schedule is open for Member Andrulonis saw some loop holes such as how do we monitor these properties and enforce the fee schedule. Lawhead stated that these are properties that have been foreclosed on; people have walked away from and just let deteriorate; or people have purchased and can't affordt to renovate. We can monitor them by working with our water department; when a property is vacant Chairwoman Moore addressed Lawhead and said that the Ordinance is good and should be effective; as he is the one that deals with these properties if it looks good to him it looks good to her. Member Bernardo asked if we reach out to these owners and how we reach out tot these owners. She was also curious as to at what point we take them to the magistrate. Lawhead stated that we hand deliver letters to local owners and send certified letters to owners outside our area. Once the owner doesn't pay the violation and the propertyi is not in compliance with the ordinance we can Chairwoman Moore stated he can do that without the fees, but al lot of people will pay the fine and Member Andrulonis wanted to know what's our legal recourse. Can we make them sell the property: Lawhead stated that the fees may give them the incentive to fix up the property and City Solicitor Cherry said she feels we need to make the distinction between vacant and abandoned. She has several properties that are vacant but not abandon; she keeps the lawn mowed and the  discussion; he would like tol have it up and running by the first of the year.  the water is turned off and the meter is pulled.  take them to the magistrate. donothing to correct the violation.  make it viable again or sell.  property kept up. She asked if they would fall within this fee schedule?    Planning Commission Minutes - November 3, 2021  Lawhead stated the properties would still have tol be registered but as long as there were no code Member Andrulonis stated we just want people to clean up and take care of their properties. Solicitor Cherry feels that the Fee Schedule needs a newi title: Fee Schedule for Abandon a and Chairwoman Moore felt that the Ordinance makes a distinction between vacant and abandon Member Andrulonis asked about the violation process. Lawhead stated that we will determine which properties are abandon and send a violation letter to the owner. Ifthe owner refuses to pay, we will take them to the magistrate. Some people will not pay regardless of court appearances. Member Bernardo asked if Lawhead had communicated with other municipalities that are comparative to our size. Lawhead stated that the fee schedule presented came from Altoona; they  violations there would be no fees.  Blighted Properties properties.  arel bigger but he has seen higher and lower fees schedules.  Member Andrulonis asked if wel have al lot of abandon and blighted properties.  Lawhead felt wel have approximately 35 Commerca/Residenta abandon and blighted properties. Member Andrulonis asked what is our legal recourse if we have been taking them to court several Solicitor Cherry said they pay, maybe not enough, but they pay. We used to go after the tenant, the actual person that lived there, now we go after the owners. She went on to say, her advice to City Manager Suplizio state the years ago bills were in the renter's name, they would stop paying the rent then run up the water bill and move; now all properties are in the owner's name and the unpaid Solicitor Cherry believes going from quarterly bills to monthly bills has helped al lot in keeping the Lawhead said it has also helped with refuse; we found there were al lot of people within the City that Solicitor Cherry feels the registration is ag good thing, it may make people look at their properties Member Andrulonis asked if Lawhead already knows of properties that have been abandon for  times.  landlords is add the fees to their rent.  water bills are kept under control.  amounts down.  did not have garbage. That has beenrectified.  more often. several years.    Planning Commission Minutes - November 3, 2021  Lawhead confirmed he does. Historical District Ordinance  Solicitor Cherry stated that she went through some reference materials Lawhead gave her, she found that a Historical Commission must be established by Ordinance or Resolution. This Commission is responsible for going over plans and designs; Cherry feels this should bei the Planning Inthisordinancel both the Central Commercial District and Historical District will have to comply. Solicitor Cherry addressed Member Bernardo about expansion of the Historical District; Cherry didn't feel we should, as we have enough trouble with people who control the downtown. We do not Member Bernardo asked if the Ordinance has any teeth to persuade people to go by the standards seti in it. Cherry felt we would treat it like acode violation. People will be required to make the Member Bernardo asked ifa al Fee Schedule is recommended. Cherry said absolutely not we will refer Chairwoman Moore clarified that there would be no expansion of the Central Commercial District;  Commission.  want to see Commercial businesses moving into houses.  outside appear as close to the original design for the age it was built.  them to the building codes. Cherry confirmed there would not.  Adjournment VOTE AYES: ABSTAIN: NAYS: MOTION PASSED:  The motion was made by Volpe and seconded by Andrulonis that the Planning Commission adjourn.  Commission Members: Andrulonis, Bernardo, Volpe and Chairwoman Moore  None None 4-0