Lower Paxton Township Planning Commission Meeting Minutes March 5, 2025 Commissioner's Present Also Present Fredrick Lighty Nick Gehret, Lower Paxton Township Codes Officer Douglas Grove Lori Staub Jeff Kline Everette Hamilton Kurt Meckes Sandra Bloom Call to Order Mr. Lighty called to order the meeting of the Lower Paxton Township Planning Commission at 7:00pm on the above date in Room A ofthe Lower Paxton Township Municipal Center, 425 Prince Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Pledge of Allegiance Mr. Hamilton led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Approval of Minutes Mr. Lighty asked ifthere were any questions or changes to the February 5, 2025 ofthe Lower Paxton Township Planning Commission Meeting minutes. Mr. Meckes made a motion to approve the Lower Paxton Township Planning Commission February 5, 2025 Lower Paxton Township Planning Commission meeting minutes. Ms. Bloom seconded the motion, and a unanimous vote followed. Ordinance 25-01 Comprehensive Zoning update Mr. Gehret stated that the Lower Paxton Township Planning Commission has received the following information on the Draft Ordinance 25-01 Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance repeals and replaces Chapter 203 ofthe Lower Paxton Township Zoning Ordinance which was adopted on July 11, 2006. Ordinance 25-01, includes updating land use regulations, such as: A new Zoning Map, with zoning district changes, deletions, locations, and boundaries General Commercial is no longer proposed along North Mountain Road. The site will remain Neighborhood Commercial. (35-027-043) (35-027-050) (35-027-020) Locust Lane Properties located North of Dauphin County Vo-tech ( R-1 OSD to Institutional) (35-061-032) 35-061-102) (35-061-096) (35-061-097). Crums Mill Property (R-1 to Business Campus/05-037-010) (35-037-PDH) Uses allowed in each district - Auto Fueling Stations/Service Stations are no longer permitted via Special Exception in the Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District. Standards that apply to buildings and structures Standards that apply to specific uses Updated parking standards - Parking Standards for Restaurants, business /office retail 20,000 SF or greater, and grocery stores. have been amended to reflect Dauphin County's comments. The primary goals of the Zoning Update are: Simplify the zoning map and ordinance to make it easier for the user to navigate with a limited number of steps to research the regulations impacting a project or parcel(s). Update zoning map to reflect changes that have occurred in the built environment since the last major update. Update to accommodate and regulate modern uses such as wireless communication facilities and solar energy facilities. Update definitions and other provisions to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations and related case law, such as the Fair Housing Act. Ordinance 25-01 will need to be readvertised due to the substantive change that was reflected on the proposed draft zoning map. Mr. Gehret stated that the clock starts again and that the Board of supervisor meeting on May 6, 2025. The Planning Commission on April 2, 2025 than a 30 day, which the Planning Commission would have to have an additional meeting within the advertising time frame. The earliest is 45 days The Board ofs Supervisors meeting on April 13, 2025.The Official Public Meeting and the Planning Commission meeting on May 6, 2025 than the Board of Supervisors on May 20, 2025.The draft version is 45 days with the Board ofSupervisors meeting in April. Mr. Lighty stated 45 days minimum not maximum. Mr. Gehret stated May 6, 2025. Mr. Lighty stated to get to them. Mr. Gehret stated take the Ordinance in April than 30 days between, which includes the Planning Commission and the Board ofSupervisors. Mr. Gehret stated that it must reach most people and give as much information at one time. Mr. Lighty stated a special meeting than in April. The service station was questioned in the zoning. Mr. Lighty stated that service stations were not permitted in the Neighborhood Commercial only in Commercial General. Mr. Gehret stated that it was recarnified in the ordinance. Mr. Gehret stated with Special Exemption and relocated Conditional Use and standards for Use. Mr. Lighty stated by the April meeting. The special exemption or supplemental generalization for gas pumps in the right of way are the way of approval. Proposed Ordinance or Special Exemption is a staff issue not the Planning Commissions. Mrs. Staub stated the parking use, are they reduced for now and not as many for restaurants One space to every 2 seats to one space to 200 square feet ofthe restaurant. Mr. Gehret stated reduced parking is for smaller restaurants and retail. Audience Comments Don Heist, 550 North Mountain Road (business), stated he was not notified of previous meetings. He is located next door to the property beside Cooper Pub. Mr. Heist stated his attorney has been contacted by Wawa. Mr. Gehret stated there is no gasoline pumps in that area. Mr. Heist stated that he does not care, but there is a clause in his deed, not to sell gasoline unless considered in property. 1961-1962 Atlantic Richfield and several others had approached before the township was involved. Mr. Heist stated this was the first meeting that he has attended SO he would like to be enlightened. Mr. Lighty stated that there will be no gas, it will not be allowed. Mr. Lighty stated that in 1961 it was a private deal, there is nothing for Mr. Heist to do, the zoning we are responsible for. Mr. Heist stated, is there a chance this will pass. Mr. Lighty stated no. Mr. Al Rozzi, 631 Lancaster Ave., stated that he reflects on the current status ofthe neighborhood. He stated that it is not proposed for a carwash, drive thru restaurant, he is making sure that it is not pursued. The Neighborhood Commercial. Mr. Gehret stated that there will be no service station ? a special exemption the other things could fall under. Commercial Neighborhood has unique characteristics and the uses for the appropriate area. Mr. Rozzi stated that would not be allowed. February 11 draft copy ofthe special exemption not there but proposed. This has not changed the no special exemptions. The letter at the February 11 meeting. Mr. Gehret stated that the memo to the Board of Supervisors highlighted what the residences brought to the board. Mr. Rozzi stated he has a copy. Mr. Gehret stated that Mr. Rozzi misunderstood certain uses- Business Commercial and Neighborhood Commercial. The automotive was the only change. Mr. Rozzi stated that neighborhood and the carwash noise. Mr. Gehret stated set back to residential. The carwash on Linglestown Road, the Zoning Hearing Board was strong about the residentialcommercial. Mr. Rozzi stated he did not understand the special exemptions and that they should be looked at. Mr. Rozzi stated that in the parking lot behind the strip center there was to be a 30 foot buffer and that it was taken away for a parking lot. There should be a buffer to the Clermont development, and this should not be allowed. Mr. Bob Baker, 626 Lancaster Ave. stated that he would like to thank you for the courage to vote no. Mr. Baker stated that he saw that Mr. Meckes was under pressure to decide on his vote. Mr. Meckes stated that we worked hard and did the right thing. Mr. Baker stated what didn'tyou hear from the Clermont residents. Mr. Baker stated that personal qualities constitute integrity, honesty, a strong moral ethic, transparency and straight forwardness. Communicate openly. The transparency, trust is crucial in making a decision and accountability, voted by the Board of Supervisors. Better choices and decisions. Mr. Baker stated that Mr. Lighty stated the upmost integrity and transparency. Mr. Baker stated transparency is not notified, it was done with upmost integrity and transparency as a problem, asking the township to do better. Legal not moral, the select few not at all. December to January where it started last March, the "yes" folks to spite what you didn't want to hear. Mr. Lighty stated that he represents 55000 people and whether a Wawa or whatever is not being detrimental. Mr. Baker stated would you want that in your backyard. Mr. Grove stated to be honest we heard what you said. My word is beneficial for the entire township and neighborhoods. What is best for the township as a whole. That's all. Mr. Baker stated did you talk to the residents. Mr. Grove stated No. Mr. Kline stated Yes, in June he had talked to the residents. Mr. Kline stated I would be asking your question, and I do not have an answer. Mr. Lighty stated that Wawa has not filed a plan with the township. Mr. Meckes stated that this is news to me, I knew nothing about Wawa. Mr. Heist stated that the plan for Wawa was given to his Attorney around Thanksgiving. He showed the plan and the land layout as of now was in red pen. Mr. Lighty stated that no one has seen this plan. Mr. Kline stated that is true. Mr. Lighty by Mr. Baker, this has been 3 years of frustration and that the notice issue has been noted. Mr. Baker stated what is transparent, what is right by the township. Mr. Lighty stated the whole township not one neighborhood. It was heard. Mr. Baker stated the response to what is given to the newer Clermont residence. Candlewood was developed in the small community. Clermont plaza rezone and throw a Wawa in our face. I am pleased with the results but not happy how it was done. There is a notice problem and there needs to be a solution. The local government is lax and there has to be something to go by, show up and show accountability. Mr. Grove stated looking at Mr. Heists' plan aware even though looking at the layout ofthe zoning. IfI was aware oft this plan, it may have changed my vote. I would not want this in my back yard. What is best for the township as a whole. Mr. Grove stated we cannot make a decision if we do not have the information. Mr. Baker stated in December it was heard about from talk. Mr. Lighty stated that they did not submit a plan. Mr. Baker stated SO the residence hear before the Planning Commission. Someone had to hear of Wawa wanting to go in there. Mr. Heist stated that no one knew, they wanted to sign and a handshake. Mr. Lighty stated that is the reason for amending the text to take out gas pumps. Mr. Bill Miller, Crestview Dr., stated that we have a good township even with the pressure. An idea would be to send the letters out certified. The technical person should put all live events on the website. Mr. Lighty stated that live events there is a text. Check the resources, people are, just not looking and miss it on purpose. Mr. Miller stated that the 30 ft buffer is a matter, and it is probably legally too late to amend this matter. The Sunny Hill Farms buffer was resolved quickly after a legal recourse. Mr. Lighty stated the enforcement. Mr. Kushner stated that the changes are being made. Mr. Gehret is a ball player, and a curveball was thrown and he hit it. Changes are being made and with the public's safety. The Palmer Foundation was tabled with the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Kushner thanked Mr. Heist for 40 years of music at Forte Music. Mr. Baker stated that possibly notices could go with sewer bill. Mr. Lighty stated notice of what, the plans are 30 to 60 days. Mr. Baker stated than find a solution. No. ACTION NEEDED to this discussion. A motion is needed on the Future Land Use Plan maps. Mr. Grove made a motion to recommend the approval of the changes to the Zoning Map and Comprehensive Use Map. Mrs. Staub stated the text of? Mr. Gehret stated the Land Use, Mrs. Staub stated I don't know. Mr. Gehret stated the Land Use map. Mr. Grove made a motion to recommend the text of the Land Use Map with the part oft the Neighborhood Design Zone of the Towne Center. Mr. Hamilton 2nd the motion and a unanimous I followed. Public Comments: There were no public comments at this time. Next Regular Meeting The next regular Lower Paxton Township Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for April 2, 2025, at 7:00pm. Adjournment Mr. Grove made a motion to adjourn the March 5, 2025 Lower Paxton Township Planning Commission meeting. Mr. Hamilton seconded the motion, and a unanimous vote followed. The meeting adjourned at 8:00pm. Sincerely Submitted, pa Koosus gli Michele Kwasnoski Recording Secretary