Owner Seeks Rezoning Of Route739 Tract
By Wayne Witkowski
Thursday, May 5, 2022

DINGMANS FERRY -- The 308-acre tract of land known as Forest Glen on Route 739 across from Delaware Plaza anchored by Weis Market again came under discussion for a possible commercial usage.
"It's been proposed for a lot of things that never happened and now it's for sale again," said Supervisor Jane Neufeld during a workshop before last Wednesday's Delaware Township Board of Supervisors bi-monthly meeting. She later cited one plan in 2004 to develop a combined housing and business center there.
Supervisors pointed out that tract is partially zoned rural residential and partially zoned commercial. The board had heard from the current owner who wants more of it zoned commercial for a prospective buyer. "But they did not indicate what they want to do with the property," said Neufeld, which would need to be established to pursue any conditional use request to change the zoning.

"They have to come in with a proposal," commented resident Steve McBride.
Township Solicitor Thomas Farley said the process is "very early" as more information is needed.
During the workshop that preceded the regular meeting, supervisors discussed with representatives from PA American Water and township engineer Jon Tresslar about ending the township's building moratorium at private community Marcel Lake by that would affect as many as 50 lots that are for sale in the community. The reason is that PA American Water now can meet sewerage and water capacity demands for more building.
"People there have wanted this for years," said Farley.
Representatives at the meeting from PA American Water, which took over the system two years ago from a prior company, said they are midway through a seven-step project that included repairing the facility there in its efforts to satisfy Department of Environmental Protection and other state agencies' standards. A similar seven-step project at Wild Acres private community has just begun.
In ending the moratorium, supervisors said a party buying a lot to build a house must do so in a short time span that includes certifying water and sewerage for that lot.
"He (a buyer) can't buy a lot and sit on it for 10 years, or at least not build on it right away," said Neufeld. "We have insured steps to have a time frame and what certifications need to happen first."

"We need to coordinate this," said Farley.
During the regular meeting, supervisors heard and accepted the Delaware Township Volunteer Fire Company's first quarter report for 2022. It indicated 39 incidents that included five fires and 18 rescue and emergency medical services that involved seven motor vehicle accidents with injuries and five with no injuries. Seven incidents were false alarms or false calls due to malfunctioning alert equipment. Volunteer firefighters put in 956.94 total hours, with 746 of those hours dedicated to training.
A change in the township cellular service provider to T-Mobile from Verizon Wireless was approved. "It's about half the cost," said Neufeld when asked the reason for the move to T-Mobile.
Delaware Township Park Master Plan and Site Drawing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and township Comprehensive Plan RFPs were received and opened from consultants, elaborating on their qualifications and fees. The RFPs were then tabled, pending further review of the two RFPs received for the Master Plan and three for the Comprehensive Plan.
The Maser Plan involves Akenac Park and the Comprehensive Plan, dating back to 2006, includes evaluations and projections for quality of life details for township residents such as infrastructure and emergency services. Neufeld pointed out afterward that the township is late on renewing its Comprehensive Plan, which should be done every 10 years.
Supervisors tabled adoption of Resolution 2022-07 opposing the National Park Service's proposed designation of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to the Delaware River National Park. Supervisors agreed there is a a lack of information on the plan about what it means for public lands and its impact on the community. They agreed during discussion of a point raised by resident McBride that the wording of terms of the resolution need to be clearer regarding the lack of information or other requested information that may be supplied before the township approves the plan. McBride proposed a reworded version that was accepted by Farley, who said a rewritten resolution will be prepared for consideration at an upcoming supervisors meeting.
Hiring five seasonal part-time lifeguards for the lake at Akenac Park was approved by the board.
An application by a resident to use Ball Park Pavilion on May 16 from 6 to 7:45 p.m. for a women’s empowerment night was approved.
During public comment, Neufeld pointed out that she learned from a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation official that repair work for Wilson Hill Road is under way. She said she was informed that two other repairs on a damaged culvert on Silver Lake Road and a bridge repair over Dingmans Creek on Milford Road/State Route 2001 are delayed with National Park Service red tape and recommended a letter be drafted and sent on the matter to the NPS. Neufeld said she also learned that completion of the project to widen Milford Road/State Route 2001 in Delaware Township again is extended out from 2029 to 2031. It previously was designated for completion by 2027.
Bob Hunt, who submitted a letter of interest for a vacant seat on the Planning Commission, introduced himself to the supervisors during the workshop. He said he looked to continue his community involvement as he did in Charlotte, N.C. where he lived before relocating two years ago to Delaware Township. Supervisors said they would discuss the application in an upcoming executive session. The commission, which has five members, currently has two vacancies

Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson announced that the the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for May 17 is cancelled due to election day. He also reminded the gathering that the Pike County Sheriff’s Office is now offering free car seat safety checks. Call 570-296-6459 to schedule an appointment.
Henderson said a Flowering Trees and Shrubs Walk through historic Milford takes place 2-4 p.m. on May 14 at a $10 cost. Register online or call 877-345-0691.