February 14 – The Greene Township Planning Commission meeting last night saw a turnout of about 100 people to discuss a proposed high-density apartment complex with 676 units along Ragged Edge Road.
The discussion was tabled last night because there is a lot to delve into.
Michele Jansen of NewsTalk 103.7FM said, “There are four pages of comments from those who analyzed this, both the engineer at the township and the consultant from Martin and Martin found many, many problems with what they’re proposing. A lot of things were violated in terms of the ordinance.”
An extension was given until May 23, although the public hearing could happen sooner.
More than 31 comments were made by the residents.
Jansen said, “They brought up many good points about the total disruption of single family home neighborhoods by a huge high-density apartment complex. However it may be even more important for those same residents to come out tonight.”
The Greene Township Supervisors will meet tonight at 7 p.m. at 1145 Garver Lane in Scotland and the agenda shows the supervisors will consider removing mobile home parks, townhouses and garden apartments as conditional uses in Greene Township in an R1 development.
Pat Ryan of NewsTalk 103.7FM pointed out, “Think about where you’re living right now. This is specific to this area in Greene Township and Jansen’s got skin in this game. She’s in that area as well – full disclosure. But think about where you’re living and empty land around you and what are your supervisors doing as well? This has far-reaching effects.”
Attorney Clint Barkdoll agreed, “It does. This agenda item might create a workaround to stop this development because if the current zoning allows this kind of housing as what’s called a conditional use, that basically means if you’re the developer, your plan, your construction is permitted as long as you meet all of the other criteria that are contained within the zoning ordinance. That becomes more difficult for the township for deny. However, if the township outright changes the ordinance to now remove this kind of construction as a conditional use, then the applicant, the construction company, the developer, they would still have to go back before the board for a variance, but it becomes much more difficult with a lot more criteria and scrutiny to get approved. I wonder just looking at this from afar, might the supervisors be smartly looking at outright changing the ordinance to try to put the brakes on this project?”
Jansen said, “If people want to come out and express that I think it’s really important for people to understand these neighborhoods are critical to the character and harmony and culture of our whole county here, let alone just Greene Township.” For tonight’s agenda, click here: https://www.twp.greene.franklin.pa.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Agenda-2.14.23.pdf
