Heidelberg supervisors hear concerns about Heidelberg Ave. subdivision

This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

The Heidelberg Township Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to approve a time extension for a subdivision at 2734 Heidelberg Ave. after hearing planning commission concerns about waivers during its monthly meeting Tuesday.

The subdivision and land development plan for the village residential-zoned property includes three single-family units. On Tuesday, supervisors had the option to approve or reject the plan or accept a time extension offered by the developer. This comes as the planning commission has requested changes to the plan the developer does not want to make.

Developers have requested four waivers, two of which the planning commission argues are not supported based on hardships faced by the developer. A representative of the commission said it supports approval of a preliminary/final plan waiver and a curbing waiver, subject to the developer providing the township with funds to install curbing.

However, the commission does not support the waiving of a road-widening requirement or sidewalks between the homes. The commission requested that the developer resubmit the plan with this change, but the developer believes the waiver requests are justified and does not plan to resubmit.

Solicitor Paul Bametzreider said that, eventually, the plan needs to come before supervisors for a vote if the developer and planning commission are at an impasse. He recommended that the commission, an advisory board, provide detailed feedback to the developer on its concerns. He said if they do not support approval of the plan as-is, they should provide a recommendation to supervisors to reject the plan and provide their reasoning.

Though supervisors accepted a time extension Tuesday, time extensions are offered by developers and, should they choose, a developer can force a vote on a plan by not offering an extension. Though the planning commission would rather reach an agreement with the developer, Bametzreider said, “at some point, it’s gotta come up to the board.”

Also concerning the planning commission, the board unanimously accepted the resignation of commission member and former supervisor Ted Cromleigh, who is moving out of the area. At supervisor Paul Fetter’s suggestion, the board unanimously agreed to send a letter of appreciation for Cromleigh’s service, knowledge, and attendance.

Supervisors discussed a potential appointee for the position, having interviewed resident Vic Hurst in an executive session. However, the township has since heard from resident Jamie Wolgemuth, who has also expressed interest. The board agreed to interview Wolgemuth and any other residents with interest in the position.

Resident Jean Rowe asked about attendance requirements for planning commission members, saying that she is concerned about the number of meetings missed by the newest commission member Trent Brubaker. She said she has not been to every commission meeting, but she has still attended more meetings than Brubaker.

“I don’t know of any other planning commission member in history that missed that amount of meetings, especially from being newly appointed,” said Fetter, who said he understood Rowe’s concerns. “It’s an office that you ought to take seriously. … They’re serving the good of the community and it does nobody any good if there’s not somebody there to represent.”

In other news, supervisors:

• Unanimously agreed to send a drafted ordinance regulating data centers, which would place them in the industrial/manufacturing zoning district, to county planning and the planning commission.
• Unanimously approved the repair of red lights recommended by a recent red light inspection.
• Unanimously approved time extensions for the 1713 Heidelberg and Holzman Kleinfeltersville land development plans, noting that the township should reach out to the latter for more information about the status of the plan.
• Unanimously approved the payment of $9,200.25 for the fourth payment to D&T Electric for services at the township building.
• Unanimously approved an $11,000 contract with Fox & Long for plumbing work for the township building interior remodel, with plans to draw on a performance bond from a previously-hired contractor who ultimately did not complete the project.
• Unanimously approved the advertising of an ordinance establishing a handicap parking space on North Carpenter and establishing a process for the board to approve handicap parking spaces requested by resolution in the future.
• Unanimously approved the allowance of the Copper Ridge escrow, which contains $10,000, for phase two as well as phase one of the plan.
• Heard that the Schaefferstown Mennonite School communicated that venue use will end by the end of July following a recent zoning hearing board decision.
• Unanimously approved fire police assistance at the Myerstown Rod & Gun Club on Aug. 1.
• Unanimously approved the purchase of four check valve parts for $3,824 plus shipping.
• Unanimously approved the creation of a township email address for the emergency management coordinator.
• Unanimously approved signing off on a Schuylkill Highland Grant for a bicycle repair station.
• Unanimously approved minutes, approved the payment of bills, and reviewed reports.

Heidelberg Township supervisors meet the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. These meetings are open to the public and do not require prior registration.