MINUTES WARREN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION Warren County Courthouse Commissioners' Conference Room Tuesday, January 7, 2025 5:30 P.M. The regular meeting of the Warren County Planning Commission was called to order by Chair Paul Pascuzzi. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Leslie Bailey, Andy Brooks, Jacob Pangborn, Paul Pascuzzi, Gary Wareham, Jeffrey Zariczny (via telephone) Members Absent: Thomas Brown, Sheryl Vanco Staff Present: Michael Lyon, Planning Director; Laurie Burdick, Department Secretary; Ben Mahaffey, Zoning Officer Guests Present: None REORGANIZATION Paul Pascuzzi opened the floor for nominations. Andy Brooks made a motion, with a second by Gary Wareham, to retain the current slate of officers, i.e., Paul Pascuzzi = Chair, Jeffrey Zariczny - V. Chair, and Jacob Pangborn 2nd V. Chair. A vote was taken and all were in favor; motion carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Minutes of September 3, 2024 were approved unanimously with a motion by Andy Brooks and second by Leslie Bailey. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Zoning/SALDO proposed fee review Michael Lyon handed out a draft of proposed fee increases and explained the current and proposed fee schedules for Commerca/Industia, MAAPONAIAcETA Pool Permits, Signs, Change of Use/Home Occupation, Site Visits, Fence Permits, Floodplain Development Permits, Zoning Hearing Board fees, and Zoning Ordinance Amendments. Following a discussion, Andy Brooks made a motion, with a second by Jacob Pangborn, to recommend the fee schedule changes with increases to the County Commissioners for review. A vote was taken and all were in favor; motion carried. 2. Setback requirements/site visit criteria Michael Lyon reported that it was suggested that the Planning Office staff start doing site visits to verify setbacks, SO a charge of $25 per visit would be imposed, based on several requirements. 3. Fence Regulations A) Setback requirements B) Zoning Permit required C) Height restrictions Mr. Lyon reported that, since he has been with the Planning Office, fees have not been charged for fences, but he said we do receive a lot of complaints about fences. He further explained that the Building Code requires a Building Permit for fences over six feet (6'), SO the proposal is to require a Zoning Permit for fences over six feet (6'), as well as requiring minimum setbacks. Jeff Zariczny made a motion, with a second by Leslie Bailey, to amend Section 503.3 of the Zoning Ordinance regarding fences. A vote was taken and all were in favor; motion carried. 4. One (1) open position on Planning Commission Michael Lyon reported that there is a vacancy on the Planning Commission and encouraged suggestions for someone who might be willing to serve. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Discussion on possibility of modifying the agricultural setbacks for goats (Section 401.34) = Emily Sweitzer = Tidioute Borough A) ESA Ordinance Proposal 1) Solicitor suggestions a) Definition of "pets" b) Moving forward Mr. Lyon reported that the County solicitor recommended defining "pets" and "livestock" in the Zoning Ordinance. Following a discussion, Andy Brooks made a motion, with a second by Gary Wareham, for Mr. Lyon to discuss this item with the County Commissioners to determine how to proceed. A vote was taken and all were in favor; motion carried. 2. Setback Review from March 2024 meeting Mr. Lyon stated that this was covered earlier in the meeting. 3. Moving forward with action items from Comp Plan Mr. Lyon stated that he would re-send the list regarding the projects to the Planning Commission; however, Paul Pascuzzi suggested that Mr. Lyon pick a project that the Planning Commission can address. SUBDIVISIONS RECENTLY APPROVED: No questions on the recent subdivisions. Kinnear, Robert et al. Deerfield 9/3/2024 YV-008-8310 Gray, Gregory. A. & Christina S. Farmington 9/24/2024 WN-1-6763 Peterson, Melissa D. & Alan D. Columbus 9/24/2024 CY-3-3792 Pine-Ton Farms, LLC Farmington 9/24/2024 WN-1-3437, 34314 Clark, Robert E. & Helen A. Trust Brokenstraw TwplYoungsville Boro 9/24/2024 YV-676-957,9500, YV-006-7957 Munsee, Lucas (The Pondel Subdivision) Spring Creek 10/16/2024 CY-006-75483 Wagner, James W. (Wagner Highland Farms, LLC Cherry Grove 10/16/2024 SH-002-528 Williams, James M., Jr. Sheffield 10/16/2024 SH-367-2275 Smith, Alan Freehold 10/16/2024 YV-001-3432 Tome, Kimberly A. & James P. Mead 10/29/2024 WN-677-9669/9660 Johnson, Lyle T. & Higley, Diane M. Spring Creek 11/7/2024 CY-005-3947 Passinger, David L. & Debra A. (re-approval) Pine Grove Twp. 11/21/2024 WN-2-9651 & 96573 KDP Erie, LLC Conewango 12/2/2024 WN-005-429800 Reynolds, Thomas W. Watson 12/5/2024 YV-9-9976 Wengerd, Raymond J. & Fannie J. Freehold 12/19/2024 YV-1-3583 Weldon, Charles E. & Jenna M. Pine Grove 12/19/2024 WN-001-6920 Rose, Andrew R. & Emily R. Pleasant 12/19/2024 WN-745-5550/6971 PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Michael Lyon reported that he is intending on revising the Subdivision application and creating a checklist. He further reported that the Officials Handbook is currently being updated for this year, and we will have the Annual Report ready for the March Planning Commission meeting. ZONING OFFICER'S REPORT: Ben Mahaffey reported that he has issued 215 Zoning Permits this past year and 229 were issued the previous year. He has five (5) pending that are awaiting either sewage or stormwater approval. He also reported that he has the impending FEMA Floodplain audits and that a lot of time will be consumed with site visits in all of the 14 municipalities. COMMUNICATIONS: Nothing to report. OTHER BUSINESS: None. ADJOURNMENT: Meeting unanimously adjourned at 6:53 p.m. by motion of Andy Brooks and second by Gary Wareham. Motion carried. NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, February 4, 2025 @ 5:30 p.m. in the Commissioners' Conference Room, 1st Floor, Warren County Courthouse. Respectfully submitted, Laurse A. Budicke Laurie A. Burdick Department Secretary Warren County Planning & Zoning 204 Fourth Avenue Warren, PA 16365 814-728-3512 814-728-3517 (fax)