MINUTES  WARREN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION  Warren County Courthouse Commissioners' Conference Room April 2, 2024 5:30 P.M.  The regular meeting of the Warren County Planning Commission was called to order by 1st  Vice Chair Jeff Zariczny. ROLLCALL: Members Present: Members Absent: Staff Present: Guests Present:  Leslie Bailey, Andy Brooks (via phone), Thomas Brown, Brian Jennings, Paul Pascuzzi, Sheryl Vanco, Gary Wareham  Jacob Pangborn, Jeffrey Zariczny Michael Lyon, Laurie Burdick, Ben Mahaffey  Josh Cotton (WTO), Cindy Paulmier, Emily Sweitzer, Justin  Sweitzer  APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  The Minutes of March 5, 2024 were approved unanimously with a motion by Gary Wareham  and second by Brian Jennings. Motion carried.  NEW BUSINESS: 1.  Annual Report  The Annual Report was handed out and Michael Lyon reviewed with the Planning Commission the introduction, Planning & Zoning Department and Warren County Planning Commission information, Zoning, Grant Administration, and Planning Activities sections. Laurie Burdick reviewed the  Subdivision section with the Commission. Review Farmington Township Zoningmap  2.  Michael Lyon presented a zoning map of Farmington Township to the Commission for review. Farmington Township was previously zoned through the County, but left zoning in 2012. Following a discussion, Brian Jennings made a motion, with a second by Tom Brown, to recommend that the County Commissioners welcome Farmington Township back into County zoning. A vote was taken and all were in favor; motion carried. This will be presented to  the County Commissioners for approval in the near future.    UNFINISHED BUSINESS:  1.  Discussion on possibility of modifying the agricultural setbacks for goats Michael Lyon reported that he had a few conversations with the County Solicitor. They were able to find only one municipality in the State of Pennsylvania that had adopted an Emotional Support Animal Ordinance, SO he will ask the Commission to give him some direction as to how to proceed with adraft ordinance. One option would be creating a back-yard animal ordinance (non- commercial keeping ofl livestock, such as goats, COWS, ducks, etc.) with a modification of current setbacks, or a second option of addressing emotional support animals that are not addressed in the Zoning Ordinance currently but they do get some protection through the Fair Housing Act. The current ordinance requires a 150-foot setback. He found several ordinances throughout the State of PA that addressed keeping of livestock. He explained that they had a variety of requirements of setbacks, acreage, etc. The Emotional Support Animal Ordinance is what he is suggesting sO they are in-line with the Fair Housing Act. The Fair Housing Act states that the applicant must make a request for a reasonable accommodation, they have to provide a letter from their healthcare professional indicating that the animal will help them with their healthcare needs, and the housing provider has to make a reasonable accommodation. Mr. Lyon will put a draft ordinance together for May's meeting that will be based on information from both the Solicitor and the Fair  (Section 401.34) - Emily Sweitzer - Tidioute Borough  Housing Act. This item will be tabled until next month.  2.  Setback Review  Michael Lyon stated that he talked to Scott Taylor at the City of Warren. They issue approximately 100 permits per year, and they do not, as a practice, do site visits. Mr. Lyon stated that we issue approximately 250 - 300 permits per year, and we don't have the staff to do site visits. This item will remain on the  agenda for next month.  SUBDIVISIONS RECENTLY APPROVED: No questions on the recent subdivisions. Bradley, Scott! M. & Michelle A. Korb, Leroy & Laurie Osborne, John & Terry  Deerfield Conewango Farmington  3/5/2024 3/5/2024 3/25/2024  TD-285-3171 WN-5-535 WN-142-4111/176  PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT:  Mr. Lyon reported that: 1) two rezonings are in the initial stages that will be coming before the Planning Commission in the future for review and recommendation, 2) there is commercial development occurring in the County that they will see in the future, 3) Ben  Mahaffey has been hired as the zoning officer and is doing a great job.    ZONING OFFICER'S REPORT:  Ben Mahaffey gave an update on his position that included the number of permits issued to date versus the number that was issued last year at this time. He further stated that he is reviewing and training on the violation process and issued his first 2 violations in March. Additionally, he stated that the Zoning Hearing Board just heard and approved a Special Exception for a sawmill in Columbus Township, LERTA has been a topic of discussion, and that he is reviewing the Zoning Ordinance every day. Also, he reported that Pleasant Township presented a new resolution whereby they will be charging a fee for the UCC recreational cabins. There are a few other municipalities that either have, or will be,  charging for the cabin affidavits. COMMUNICATIONS: Nothing to report. OTHER BUSINESS: None. ADJOURNMENT:  Meeting unanimously adjourned at 6:58 p.m. by motion of Sheryl Vanco and second by  Brian Jennings. Motion carried. NEXT MEETING:  Tuesday, May 7, 2024 @ 5:30 p.m. in the Commissioners' Conference Room, 1st Floor,  Warren County Courthouse. Respectfully submitted, Laurie A. Burdick Department Secretary Warren County Planning & Zoning 204 Fourth Avenue Warren, PA 16365 814-728-3512 814-728-3517 (fax)  launeere baerdeck