North Annville Township supervisors grant subdivision plan on farm

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North Annville Township supervisors unanimously approved a subdivision plan for a local farm at their Monday, Aug. 11 meeting. 

The approval came after township solicitor Paul Bametzreider reviewed correspondence from the Lebanon County Planning Department and announced that the county had no issues with the project.

“It’s a clean letter. The county’s saying the plan meets with all requirements of the county and the township’s ordinances, and it is ready for approval,” Bametzreider said.

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Board chairman Clyde Meyer said the plan would divide 36 to 37 acres equally between two daughters at the Hawbaker farm on Hill Church Road near Ono Road. After the meeting, Meyer told LebTown the subdivision was requested so a home could be built on one of the tracts.  

Temporary housing variance request

On a separate item involving housing, supervisors took no action to approve a temporary housing variance request for the Hair farm in the 1900 block of Thompson Avenue, which is also the site of Sycamore Spring Farm Market and Bakery.

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Bametzreider said the request was made on property in an agricultural security area that had formerly been subdivided. The Hairs were seeking from the township a temporary zoning variance to build temporary housing because the allotted number of spots within the subdivision plan have been fulfilled.

“They need a variance in order to do any more subdivisions. What they were requesting frankly – and I don’t have any problems – is a temporary housing agreement to be allowed to establish another residence there, pending them applying for the appropriate zoning approvals,” Bametzreider said. “So they are asking you for a temporary variance to establish that.”

The solicitor said he researched whether supervisors have the authority to grant that kind of request but couldn’t find any basis for them to do so.

“I can find for the zoning hearing board some authority to grant a variance, which makes sense, because that’s what a zoning hearing board does,” Bametzreider said.

While they could apply for a temporary variance, he added that “didn’t make sense” since they would eventually have to apply for a permanent variance through the zoning hearing board. 

“I don’t think you have the authority to enter into such an agreement with them and, therefore, I can not recommend that you do that,” he told supervisors.

Meyer said the township would wait until the Hairs apply for a permanent variance.

North Annville Township police report

During the police report, Cleona Police Chief Jeffrey Farneski said his officers had pulled 70 numbers since the July meeting, which led to 26 violations being issued. He added there were two DUI arrests, and a third DUI arrest following a vehicle accident. There were three vehicle accidents during the month, a drug arrest at a residence, and a wellness check. The township contracts with Cleona Borough to provide police services to the municipality.

North Annville Fire Company report

A North Annville Fire Company official reported the department had responded to 29 calls (22 fire, seven EMS) since July 1, had five training events, and held two fundraisers and a public relations event. The company logged 335.7 man-hours in July.

Bametzreider also handed to the department all of the official documents in a book format for last year’;’s merger. He noted there was one final action to occur regarding amended bylaws, their amended constitution and board structure that needed to be acted upon. He said he had a resolution that he would provide to fire company officials for them to adopt that would be reflective of what had been adopted during the merger in 2024.

“I want to give this to someone from North Annville Fire Company and let you guys run with the ball. If you need anything, let me know If you need any changes, take a look at everything and have any questions, give us a call,” Bametzreider announced.

Other business

In other business, supervisors unanimously voted to: 

• Receive the roadmaster, planning commission, and zoning hearing board reports. It was announced there will be a zoning hearing board meeting at 6 p.m. Aug. 21 at the social hall at Union Water Works Fire Company to consider a variance for a deck planned in proximity to a residential property line in Bellegrove. 
• Read and approve paying the monthly bills.
• Approve the minutes of their July 14 meeting and the treasurer’s report as of July 14.

North Annville Township supervisors meet the second Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the social hall of the former Union Water Works Fire Company, 2875 Water Works Way, Annville.