TOWNSHIP SAYS NO APPROVAL REQUIRED FOR ONE SMALL SHED ON BUSINESS LOTS
Pike County Dispatch, Thursday, May 3, 2018
by Wayne Witkowski
DINGMANS FERRY – Delaware Township extended a helping hand toward local businesses last week when the Board of Supervisors approved two ordinance amendments regarding storage space.
After a brief public hearing that had no public opposition or public discussion, the supervisors unanimously approved two changes to Ordinance 901 that allow for one shed on commercial property without the need for zoning approvals if it meets zoning requirements.
“This is an attempt to help businesses in our area,” township Solicitor Thomas Farley told the gathering while introducing the hearing.
The township’s subdivision and land development ordinance (SALDO) and its zoning ordinances follow one set of guidelines, which Farley said afterward makes the township “unique” among many municipalities in the area that have separate standards.
One amendment to the ordinance says, “No more than one shed is to be allowed on a commercial property.” It follows the existing stipulation of a shed as a “structure not sued for the storage, parking, repair, or maintenance of a motor vehicle that is not more than one story high and whose area is not more than 200 square feet.” It says the shed is permitted only in a rear setback of the property.
The other amendment to the Land Development section of Ordinance 901 says, “no residential shed or structure of similar or smaller size (200 square feet) shall constitute a land development.”
It goes with the already existing part of the section that excludes a shed as an improvement on one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts or parcels of land.
In the past, installing one shed would require an approval process. Approvals still would be needed for more than one shed.
Also at the meeting, the board approved $2,200 for repairs to a backstop at one of the ball fields that was mangled by the early March Nor’easters Riley and Quinn. American Fence Co. Inc. of Tafton will do the work.
Also funded was a $1,800 contract with Kocher’s Water Pump & Tanks Inc. of Bath to blow-clean the well providing water to the municipal building and to check the system for bad spots. Township Administrator Krista Predmore said that type of clean-up has not been needed as far back as she could remember.
REWIRING AND REMOVING CABINS
The township also approved obtaining estimates for electrical work needed for four cabins at Akenac Park.
A lengthy workshop discussion before the meeting outlined the work, which will include disconnecting the line of one cabin to the Bath House nearby. That cabin, the Bath House and three other cabins used for storage will have the electric wires that have been on utility poles, including one pole that is in bad shape from the severe winter storms, moved underground. Roofs for those cabins also will be repaired or replaced.
“As soon as we get estimates, we need to get the work started,” Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson said of the electrical work.
Supervisor Rick Koehler recommended the project and for six other cabins – four log cabins and two standard tongue-in-groove cabins – to go to public auction to be removed. “I don’t think any of the cabins are in danger of collapsing,” said Koehler, who said some of the materials in them might be usable for the company contracted to remove them. Supervisor Jane Neufeld encouraged Koehler to provide additional information.
The supervisors also plan to further examine the progress of replacing concrete piers under the Akenac park Recreation Hall as work resumes this spring. “I want to get this going,” said Henderson.
The board approved May 12 from 9 a.m. to noon for a cleanup day at Akenac Park and to budget $100 for snacks and drinks for volunteers.
The supervisors agreed to contact local Boy Scouts, the Dingmans Ferry Lions Club and any other groups using the park to see if they can send volunteers.
The board also tabled any discussion to future meetings of a report under way on how much money has been spent on the park since 2006. That study was ordered up at a recent meeting at the request of Henderson.
The board also waived any fees for Long Meadow Chapel for its approved use of Akenac Park for its annual baptism and picnic event. Fees should be waived, said Predmore during a workshop discussion before the meeting, because it is a nonprofit entity.
Two Planning Board vacancies need to be filled and the supervisors said they would request resumes from some individuals who expressed interest.
The board also accepted the resignation of Michael Moffa from the Department of Public Works effective May 4 and praised his service.
During the workshop, the supervisors agreed to deny the Dingmans Ferry Lions Club’s request for a $500 donation because the township already agreed to provide for free port-o-johns needed for its annual Trout Fishing Contest at Egli’s Pond on April 28 that saves the club a $250 expense.
The township last gave $500 donations in 2013 and 2014. Predmore said there is money available in the line item donation category of the township budget, but supervisor Jane Neufeld said, “I’m comfortable with that,” referring to the port-o-johns as sufficient support for the club. The other two supervisors agreed.
CABLE FRANCHISE PUBLIC HEARING
Henderson reminded the gathering of a public hearing scheduled for 7:15 p.m. on May 9 regarding the township’s Blue Ridge Cable Franchise Renewal. He encouraged residents to come to review past performance of the cable company and to identify future cable-related community needs of the township.
When asked during Public Comment when PennDot would fill potholes that have been marked with white circles on State Route 2001/Milford Road, Roadmaster Vince Flatt and Neufeld said they had not heard anything about that from PennDot.
“There’s been discussion whether PennDot has extra money to address sections (of that road) for more than pothole patching,” Neufeld said. “PennDot has a big pothole patching drive and we’re encouraging residents to contact PennDot about this.”