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East Nottingham Township
Board of Supervisors Meeting
February 11, 2025
East Nottingham Township
Planning Commission Meeting
January 27, 2025
MEETING SUMMARY - Board of Supervisors - Feb 11, 2025
The Board unanimously voted to deny the developer’s preliminary plan and two associated waiver requests. The Developer has three options: Appeal the Board’s decision within 30 days. Start the process again, submitting a true by-right plan (that doesn’t require waivers.) or No longer pursue development of the parcel. We will know more after March 27th.
Additionally, the BOS:
-did NOT agree to vote at their next meeting to officially end the process of amending the I-1 building height ordinance. However, they did indicate that increasing the height is off the table, raising the question: “If that is the case, why not make it official?”
-established a subcommittee to review and address the shortcomings of the I-1 ordinance. The members of this subcommittee are supervisors Dave Smoker, Sam Goodley, and planning commission members Eileen Butler and Joe Marra.
-approved the Improvement Notification Ordinance, which mandates signage announcing future land development plans.
While the Board’s unanimous rejection of the warehouse plan might feel like a win, it is crucial to remember that they are, in many ways, responsible for the community’s current predicament. The Board used YOUR TAX DOLLARS at the request of Herr’s and E. Kahn Developers to draft an amendment that would have increased the building height ordinance - an action taken without public discussion or a vote. The Board publicly discussed and voted to present the draft to the Planning Commission only after it was completed, and concerns were raised by Planning Commission members. This raises serious questions about transparency and accountability.
NEXT STEPS: Watch and wait.
We will continue to monitor the BOS and Planning Commission meeting agendas. The next BOS meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, March 11, 2025. As no items directly impact the Save Oxford effort, we will not attend or stream this meeting. The next Planning Commission meeting is set for Monday, March 24, 2025, with the agenda to be released no later than March 21, 2025.
MEETING SUMMARY - Planning Commission - Jan 27, 2025
The January 27th Planning Commission served up facts after Sam Goodley, Vice-Chair Board of Supervisors, cried “Bullsh*t.” Click here to view video highlights.
MEETING SUMMARY - Board of Supervisors - Jan 6, 2025
GOOD NEWS
Supervisors Tom Faux and David Smoker committed to NOT changing the current 35’ max building height zoning ordinance for the I-1 district. Supervisor John Wallace indicated that he had no intention of changing the ordinance. (Note: Wallace may have committed to not changing the ordinance as well, however it was difficult to hear him.)
BAD NEWS
While these supervisors should be praised for their current commitment to upholding the ordinance, all five board members voted to amend it.
In July 2022, Herr’s and the developer requested that the Board increase the maximum building height requirement. Over the following nine months there is no record of the Board discussing this request at the public meetings. However, according to the May 9, 2023 meeting minutes, the Board was working with Solicitor Sebastian to amend the ordinance for Herr and the developer.
“Solicitor Sebastian explained . . . a developer representing a landowner in the Township raised an issue about the universal height requirement in the Township which is currently 35 feet. The Board has worked with Solicitor Sebastian on this amendment which addresses both of the above requests. The proposed provision in the amendment which address the height of buildings, in the I-1 industrial district only, would increase to 45 feet and require an additional 2 fee setback with a maximum of 55 feet with conditional approval.”
The Board voted unanimously to present the amendment increasing the building height to the Planning Commission.
The November 12, 2024 meeting minutes state: “Solicitor Sebastian reported she continues to work on the amendment to the zoning ordinance and expects to have something prepared that can be authorized for advertising at the December regular meeting. Chairman Goodley reported the amendment addresses . . . the request for the Board to consider raising the height and size allowed in the industrial zone . . .” The amendment was not discussed at the December meeting.
SOLUTION
Ask your Board to take a public vote directing Solicitor Sebastian to stop all efforts to amend the height restriction, remove the height increase from the ordinance amendment, and resubmit the amendment with provisions for horse transportation and solar farms only to the Planning Commission for review.
IN OTHER NEWS
The Board rightly granted an extension to the Herr’s developer to correct outstanding issues with their by right plan. If you recall, the by right plan is for warehouses with a max height of 35’. However, the developer has made it very clear that for the project to be viable, they need the ability to exceed 35’. This is why the supervisors must hold the line on the current ordinance.
Meeting minutes can be found at: https://www.eastnottingham.org/board-of-supervisors-meetings
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