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The North Lebanon Township Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to approve Mount Pleasant Ventures’ Estates at Hearthside preliminary subdivision plan at its Monday meeting.
The five-phase subdivision plan, to be located at 1415 Jay St. and SS Horizon Blvd., includes a total of 122 homes with parking lots and yards.
The plan is available for review in full at the township’s website here.
The board also unanimously agreed to approve eight waivers, at the recommendation of the planning commission.
Waivers include the allowance of 1.86-foot grass strips along sidewalks (due to the use of slant curbs) instead of the ordinance’s required 3-foot strips, as well as sidewalks only being on one side of the road throughout the subdivision instead of on both sides.
Supervisors also waived the requirement of street improvements and sidewalks along Jay Street, as neighboring plots do not have sidewalks and likely will not in the future.
The City of Lebanon Water Authority and the Municipal Authority approved the water and sewage designs, respectively. The township engineer also recommended plan approval.
Concerning Lenni Lenape Park, the board unanimously approved the Lebanon County Disc Golf League’s request to update the park’s disc golf course, as well as assist with the township’s labor and equipment.
The course was first installed 12 years ago, and Mike Dunkle and Ben Apple of the golf league said usage has only increased over the years, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chairman Ed Brensinger said he has been surprised by the success of the course, which he was wary of when it first came before the board. He also said its users take good care of the park and deter a criminal element in the park’s woods.
“I will admit that I was wrong, and I’m impressed,” he said.
The golf league is not seeking township funds for the update, but is looking for 36 local sponsors.
The board also unanimously approved a request by the Girls on the Run youth group to hold a practice event at Lenni Lenape Park on April 24 and waive fees, at the recommendation of the parks and recreation board.
The board heard the concerns of resident Rick Blauch concerning transgender athletes in youth sports within the township. He voiced concern that the issue would reach Lebanon and the board should take steps to prevent it in advance.
Supervisor Ardy Snook voiced agreement, comparing the issue to the supervisors’ decision to restrict solar and wind farm construction in 2022, prior to the submission of any plans.
Read more: North Lebanon Township places restrictions on new solar & wind farms
He suggested restricting the usage of township fields by youth groups to same-sex teams. He agreed that the issue will come up in North Lebanon.
“That’s what we thought about migrants coming across the border, and they’re here, too,” said Snook.
Solicitor Amy Leonard recommended that the supervisors consider federal and state nondiscrimination laws and avoid placing the township in a situation where it could be sued for violating the rights of protected classes.
Supervisor Gary Heisey said he is less concerned about transgender athletes on the fields and more concerned that youth teams may need to become co-ed to accommodate low enrollment.
He said the 8-12 age group has already gone co-ed and the same thing could happen with older age groups if enrollment continues to decline. No legislation has been proposed concerning the topic as of now.
In other news, the board unanimously:
- Agreed to direct engineer Steve Sherk to create plans for the Lions Lake Rehabilitation Project, which the township was awarded a $250,000 DCNR grant to undergo. The project includes new playground equipment and shore restoration.
- Authorized Sherk to prepare a contract to undergo sliplining work on stormwater pipes, which the township has received a $425,000 to conduct.
- Approved a quote from Gable & Son for $45,150 for the replacement of the police department’s roof, a budgeted expense.
- Authorized Sherk to prepare plans to replace the Jay Street Wall, which the township is seeking grant funds to fund.
- Authorized Sherk to design a plan to address a sinkhole along Narrows Drive.
- Agreed to allow the Northern Lebanon Little League to place a portable toilet near the Township Community Park’s baseball fields, to be paid for by the little league.
- Agreed to award the 2024 diesel fuel bid to Meyer Oil Co. at $3.067 per gallon and $30,670 total.
- Agreed to place several items on MuniciBid.
- Agreed to donate a retired police cruiser to the fire police, which is in need of a vehicle.
- Authorized the fire police to help out at Lebanon city events throughout the year.
- Directed Leonard to prepare an ordinance requiring the owners of private fire hydrants to conduct yearly tests on the hydrants.
- Appointed Amber Royles as the safety committee’s management representative following the resignation of Molly Lum.
- Agreed to Resolution #16-2024 allowing the routine disposal of municipal records.
- Approved tree dedications at Lenni Lenape Park.
- Approved minutes and payroll.
The North Lebanon Township Board of Supervisors meets the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m.
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