The Sadsbury Township Planning Commission re-organizational and regular meeting was held on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 commencing at 7:00 p.m. Jane Heineman called the meeting to order. Present were members, Tim Sarbaum, Ron Yen, John Lymberis, Carlyle Rivers, Supervisor Liaison, Mr. Hensel, and Building/Zoning Officer, Mr. Lowry.
A moment of silence and Pledge of Allegiance were observed.
Acting Chairman, Mr. Hensel asked if there were any nominations for the position of Chairman of the Planning Commission.
Mr. Lymberis nominated Ms. Heineman to be Chairman and was seconded by Mr. Sarbaum. With there being no questions, the members voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Heineman asked for nominations for Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission.
Mr. Rivers nominated John Lymberis to be Vice Chairman and was seconded by Mr. Sarbaum. With there being no questions, the members voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Heineman opened the regular meeting.
Mr. Lymberis made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rivers to adopt the minutes of the previous meeting. With there being no questions, the members voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Lowry led a discussion on the topic on the Medical Marijuana Act. The Act comes in two parts, the manufacture and the sales. The manufacture of marijuana would be in the Light Industrial zoning area and the sales would be in the commercial C1 area. The Township may consider making a grower/processor a conditional use in the I-1 district, but it would carry some risk of being preempted by the Medical Marijuana Act. The conditional uses allowed in the C-1 district are commercial greenhouses; and is the use most similar to growers/processors currently permitted in the I-1 district. The dispensaries are characterized as commercial, they are permitted in the C-1 and C-2 districts. The Dispensaries are prohibited from being 1,000 feet from schools and daycare centers.
Mr. Lowry introduced an application from Joe Russella for a lot line change at the Morris Farm Subdivision for lots 5 and 7. The desire is to make lot 5 smaller and lot 7 larger. Lot 5 would be compliant with the ordinances. Lot 7 would be 16 acres and John Rock has purchased the lot with the condition it can be made larger. Since it is a minor lot line change, Mr. Lowry stated the Planning Commission could make a recommendation tonight or have Joe Russella come to the meeting next month. Mr. Lymberis has no problem with approval since it is a local company.
Ms. Heineman made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lymberis, to recommend to the Board of Supervisors approval for the minor lot line change for the Morris Farm Subdivision contingent with it being in compliance with the Zoning and Subdivision regulations. With there being no questions, the members voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Lowry commented that the Zoning update is being done by Mr. Grafton and maybe the Medical Marijuana Act can be incorporated.
Announcements and Correspondence
Ms. Heineman set the dates for the Planning Commission to me each month at 7:00 p.m. to be: February 15, March 15, April 12, May 10, June 14, July 12, August 9, September 13, October 11, November 15, December 13.
Ms. Heineman handed out information about pipeline safety.
Mr. Lowry stated a fellow in Pomeroy came to the Board of Supervisors meeting in January complaining about a neighbor doing open burning. Mr. Lowry stated a fire code can only be enforced if it is referenced in the Building Code.
With there being no further business, Mr. Rivers made a motion, seconded by Mr. Sarbaum to adjourn the meeting. With there being no questions, the members voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted
Linda Shank
Secretary
