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The Heidelberg Township Board of Supervisors agreed to pass a nuisance ordinance following a public hearing at its meeting Tuesday.
The ordinance has been in the works for several months, with a public hearing in June receiving resident concern and leading to its revision. Since the ordinance was advertised and posted to the website last month, chairman Paul Fetter said, the township has not received feedback that would warrant changes.
Read More: Heidelberg Township to adjust nuisance ordinance following resident concerns
Tuesday’s public hearing saw no residents opposed to the revised ordinance, with some speaking in favor.
However, one resident asked if certain violations of the ordinance would be “grandfathered in,” and unenforceable. He referenced a race track that recently generated significant noise at 2:30 a.m., which Fetter said he was aware of.
Solicitor Amy Leonard said that said noise would constitute a violation of the ordinance, and it would not be exempt because it occurred prior to the ordinance’s passage.
Fetter said the race track’s board may not yet be aware of the ordinance, noting that he would invite them to a supervisors meeting to attempt to resolve the conflict without violation letters.
Supervisors Fetter and Steve Martin were in favor, with supervisor Ted Cromleigh absent. Chairman Fetter said that while he would not normally want to pass an ordinance without all supervisors present, he is confident Cromleigh is on board due to his support in meetings furthering the ordinance.
The ordinance will be enforced through the township’s code enforcement officer, who will investigate complaints made to the township.
The need for a nuisance ordinance was first brought to the township’s attention after it received numerous complaints of chickens roaming onto neighboring properties and public roads.
However, the ordinance, based on nuisance ordinances from similar municipalities, spans roaming animals, dumping in waterways, excessive weeds/tall grass, loud noise between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., and more.
Several exceptions were carved out based on prior feedback from residents, including the allowance of sump pump discharge to the street in certain circumstances and natural landscaping.
In other news, the board:
- Unanimously agreed to a land development waiver for Keller Airport, which is adding two storage buildings to its site. The waiver was requested as the buildings, which a representative said need to be parallel with existing buildings to ensure safe landing, fall just slightly past the setback line. He noted that the total impervious area on the site will decrease.
- Agreed to a ribbon cutting to be held at the park to celebrate its improvements, including water fountains that were recently installed.
- Viewed a draft design for the interior remodel, with plans to mark up and return plans to the township manager to provide feedback to the designer.
- Unanimously agreed to a subdivision plan for 2407 S. 5th Ave., moving 2 acres from one lot to another (with the same owner) so the lot has enough space to meet requirements for a pull barn.
- Unanimously agreed to authorize the township’s application for dirt and gravel road funding.
- Unanimously agreed to authorize the township to reach out to PennDOT to see if they can be the joint applicant on a scenic byway grant application.
- Directed a traffic study be performed to determine if truck traffic can be banned on South Church Street from Heidelberg Avenue to the bridge.
- Unanimously agreed to allow the fire police to participate in Myerstown’s parade.
- Unanimously agreed to spend $6,200 to replace four injectors in the K-ville generator, which has stopped working.
- Discussed City of Lebanon Water Authority strong waste regulations.
- Unanimously agreed to a time extension for the Holzman McQuate land development plan.
- Tabled the adoption of a stormwater fee resolution until Cromleigh is present.
Heidelberg Township Board of Supervisors meets the fourth Tuesday of each month. Meetings are open to the public and do not require prior registration.
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