PRESENT –Chair Kline, Vice Chair McCuen, Member Blickley, Member Hibbs, Member Gallagher, Borough Planner Kennedy, Borough Planner Reilly, and County Planner Miklos were present.
CALL TO ORDER – Chair Kline called the October 14, 2025, Planning Commission Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Chair Kline led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Member Blickley stated he saw a comment on Facebook today that made him unhappy, and he feels compelled to comment on it and he is speaking for himself as a member, not for the rest of the members, because he is a little frustrated. He stated that the comment said that the Borough is waiting on the Planning Commission and that they might finish in a month or two and he feels that is putting additional pressure on them and setting expectations to get this moved along quickly and that there’s been a lack of communication as well. He stated he tried a couple times to get input to the agenda and feels they are set by the Borough too large, and the material expected to be covered as overloading. He reached out for information and filled out a right to no request and feels he didn’t get what he asked for and they asked for the information two weeks before and they received this information last week which he does not feel is enough time to review everything. He stated that he knows people have been frustrated with him trying to slow down and asking a lot of questions, but he feels that’s the only way we’re going to get the best document out of this that you can that is going to serve the Borough the best. He stated that he just felt he needed to say something because he is more than frustrated because he feels like this is a confrontational activity. Chair Kline thanked him for his comment.
APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 9, 2025, MEETING MINUTES – Vice Chair McCuen made a motion to approve the September 9, 2025, meeting minutes. Motion was seconded by Member Hibbs, all ayes. Motion carried 5-0.
REVIEW FOLLOW UP ITEMS FROM SEPTEMBER MEETING – Planner Miklos reviewed the follow up items requested from last month’s meeting.
•TC-1 Bonuses: set all bonuses to 5 feet.
•Member Blickley stated that he has concerns about the bonuses specifically the overall height.
•TC-1 “Re-use significant architectural elements from the original structure” bonus: strengthen the requirement and specify what is eligible. a. See draft b. Now reads: “Must include three or more significant elements from the original structure such as a decorative cornice, ornamental carving or sculptures, metal work, distinctive signage, or machinery.”
•TC-1 “Unit Mix” bonus: add bonus for provision of at least 55% of apartment units have two or more bedrooms.
•YC permitted uses list: remove “medical marijuana” and “motor vehicle filling station” uses.
o“Medical marijuana grower/processor” use moved to industrial districts.
o“Motor vehicle filling station” use retained in industrial districts.
•Excel spreadsheet version of the Dimensional Standards was requested.
PART 1: GENERAL – THE INTRODUCTORY OF THE TEXT ORDINANCE –
Member Hibbs made a motion to accept the proposed changes in the introductory text of the proposed ordinance. Motion was seconded by Member Gallagher, all ayes. Motion carried 5-0.
PART 2: DEFINITIONS – DEFINING TERMS A PHRASES USED THROUGHOUT THE ORDINANCE –
Member Hibbs made a motion to approve the proposed changes for the defining terms and phrases used throughout the proposed ordinance. Motion was seconded by Vice Chair McCuen, motion carried 4-1.
PART 3: ZONING DISTRICT CALSSIFICATIONS – NAMES THE ZONING DISTRICTS
Member Blickley made a motion to approve the proposed zoning district classifications. Motion was seconded by Vice Chair McCuen, all ayes. Motion carried 5-0.
PART 4: GENERAL REGULATIONS; STANDARDS WHICH APPLY BROADLY ACROSS THE BOROUGH – This item was moved to the November 10, 2025, Meeting Agenda for discussion and approval.
The Planning Commission discussed items they would like for next month from County Planner Miklos:
•Action Items from October.
•Revisions to Part IV General Regulations (for PC Review and Approval).
•Updated Historic Preservation Overlay (for PC Review and Approval).
•Part 22 Signs (for PC Review and Approval).
•Revisit of TC Bonuses.
•Information is requested two weeks prior to the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT – Vice Chair McCuen made a motion to adjourn the October 14,2025 Planning Commission Meeting. Motion was seconded by Member Hibbs, all ayes. Motion carried 5-0. Chair Kline adjourned the October 14, 2025, Planning Commission Meeting at 9:11 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted by:
Diane C. Hegele, Borough Manager/Zoning Officer/ Open Records Officer
Transcribed by Cindy Bollendorf, Recording Secretary