MANSFIELD - Following a public hearing Tuesday night, Richmond Township supervisors decided to table action on a proposed ordinance limiting the height of buildings constructed within the township.
The ordinance was proposed because the height of buildings was brought up as a concern by Mansfield Hose Co., which is concerned about water pressure to fight fires in taller buildings.
Though Mansfield borough has a six-story height restriction, the only buildings in the borough that tall are at the university, and it has its own water source. According to resident Bill Robinson, Richmond Township should investigate developing its own water sources and not be dependent upon the borough for its water.
In related information only, supervisors heard from the planning commission that Candlewood Inn, which is going in along South Main Street, lowered its building size to three stories, the same as its suites facility in Williamsport.
"Why would anyone want an ordinance to stop economic growth in the township? What about the big picture?" resident Butch Sherman asked.
The supervisors also approved an ordinance changing lot sizes required for mobile home and recreational vehicle parks, and in related business, approved an RV lot application to the department of environmental protection for Bud Benson.
Mulberry Hill Road resident Ruth Kovich suggested the township may need to rethink its entire zoning ordinance in light of the passage of the Natural Gas Impact Fee, which designates agricultural and residential areas as separate, with each having special provisions as to what the money can be spent on. The township always has had combined ag/residential zones.
In unrelated business, the supervisors heard from residents of Hollow and Mulberry roads that dust is out of control and two residents want the supervisors to do something about it.
Robinson said Hollow Road is "the worst it's been in 30 years. It is so dusty you can't sit on your front porch without choking."
Ann Chaborek, who lives on Grandview Lane, off Route 6, asked the township on behalf of herself and her two neighbors to take over the road and its maintenance.
The Chaboreks own Modern Color and Collision body shop on the road, and also plan to build a house within a year. They want the township to take over the grading and snow plowing, a task that she said they now do.
Supervisors said they would have to look into whether or not they would be allowed to take it over by the state Department of Transportation.
Supervisors also:
Approved a resolution recommending to the county 911 system that Mansfield Ambulance Association be the first responders to any emergencies in the township.
Approved a resolution supporting an amendment to the prevailing wage act, to increase the threshold of projects requiring the wage from $25,000 to $185,000.
Approved a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Abatement for Lisa Guthrie's new business building on South Main Street.
Approved a bid from Chemung Supply for sluice pipes for Brueilly Road for $11,829. The county aid the township will receive, in the amount of $6,265, will cover about half of the cost.
Heard spring cleanup brought in just more than $300 with five people taking advantage of the shredder onsite April 21.
