LAWRENCE TWP.- Tuesday night’s meeting for the Lawrence Township Supervisors did not last long, but all supervisors were on board in finalizing something that each felt was long overdue and overlooked.
After months of discussions with residents, reviewing maps, workshops and multiple meetings, supervisors approved an amended zoning ordinance that not only gives new designation to some areas, but also addressed concerns among residents that saw the original designation change.
It was in September when residents originally came to supervisors about zoning issues, namely those that were listed as commercial or industrial but suddenly got changed to residential designation. At that time, supervisors agreed that it was an oversight on their part in the reassignment, which was never looked at and left unchanged for several years.
Supervisors agreed that the need for rezoning had come, and to not just do a spot zone in certain areas. Jeremy Ruffner, Randy Powell, and Scott Way all agreed that if they were going to rezone, it would be the entire township.
Months of meetings with the zoning commission, multiple workshops for residents to come and ask questions, plus multiple reworked areas finally came to a conclusion as supervisors unanimously voted to approve the zoning amendment for the township. The reworked map of zoning designations is available both online and at the township building.
Supervisors also approved for the police department to receive funding in order to pay off bills that were necessary before the beginning of March, namely for insurance purposes.
The township monthly payment is just over $110,000, however the department did ask for only half of what would be necessary for one of the necessary payments. Unanimously, the supervisors approved a $101,766.63 payment that included the reduction.
Other notes from Tuesday’s meeting:
- Public hearing scheduled on March 17 at 4:50 p.m. to discuss conditional use at 792 Fire Tower Road for Lorinda Sheaffer.
- Township manager, Ashley Pritchard, along with Jason Witherite and Randy Walker were approved to attend ESM Training on August 4 and 5.
- Code Enforcement officer, Agatha Lauder, noted that approximately 10 businesses were left that needed to pay the amusement device tax. Once they dad, Agatha said they would be caught up on the payments needed for the year.
Supervisors get a break for the remainder of the month, as they will return to session on Tuesday, March 3, beginning at 5 p.m.
