Rezoning request denied
The Fayette County commissioners Thursday unanimously denied a rezoning request to extend a light industrial zone on property in North Union Township, saying that the zone doesn’t fit in the neighborhood. The motion denied a request by property owner James McShane to extend the M-1 zone on property currently zoned R-2, medium density residential.
Prior to the vote, neighbor Jean Means of Upper Oliver 3 said she was opposed to the rezoning. Means said she lives at the dead end at the end of the street. She said McShane said during the zoning hearing that trucks could turn around in his driveway, but he has “No Trespassing” signs posted.
Means said she has 20 signatures of people opposed to rezoning the property on the narrow road.
McShane also spoke, saying he has been compliant with all the laws. He said he has no junk cars on his property that are in sight.
He said all his cars have licenses and are insured except a Volkswagen bus owned by father. He said other businesses in my area haven’t been rezoned.
“People against me are running illegal businesses,” he said. McShane also said that the petition is illegal because there are signatures of people who don’t live in the area.
Commissioner Sean M. Cavanagh said he visited the site and it is just not the right place for an M-1 zone. He said there is only one way in and one way out.
“An M-1 designation opens a lot of different things,” he said. Cavanagh said he would prefer that the decision were left up to the township, but advised McShane that he can appeal.
Commission chairman Vincent A. Vicites said he researched the issue and that area not compatible to that type of use.
Cavanagh also told McShane that if people in the area are operating illegal businesses he could notify the planning office.
The commissioners voted to allocate $20,000 in liquid fuels emergency funds to each of five municipalities to repair damage done by recent flooding. The municipalities that will receive the emergency funding are Brownsville Borough, Lower Tyrone Township, Jefferson Township, German Township and Luzerne Township.
Vicites pointed out that each North Union and South Union townships agreed to forego their allocation this year.
The remainder of the $150,000 will be divided equally among the county’s other 35 other municipalities, with each receiving $4,285.
In other items, the commissioners voted to authorize an advertisement of a request for proposals for a Web page for the county. When it is completed, it will become the official county Web site.
Vicites said they need to get proposals and get moving on the project. Cavanagh said they currently have something that is not adequate. Vicites also stressed that the site needs to be updated on regular bases. Commissioner Ronald M. Nehls said a local company does that type of work and they should be considered.
The commissioners also voted to create a county park advisory board.
Vicites said they have a $40,000 grant for the three county parks, and the board can make recommendations for future grants. He said the board could also work to improve the image and the parks. He said water fountains have been vandalized and pavilions need work.
“We have nice parks, we need to spruce them up,” he said. The three county parks include Dunlap Creek Park, Jacobs Creek Park and German/Masontown Park.
Cavanagh suggested that people in those areas can submit letters if they are interested in serving on the board.
In other action:
? Sandra Lynne Callaway was hired as an Accountant II for Human Services at a salary of $22,500, effective Monday.
? Harry Franks III of Mental Health/Mental Retardation was reclassified from county fiscal operations officer 2 to county fiscal operations officer 3 at $25.08 per hour as of May 13.
? Family medical leave was approved for Lee Ann Discoll of MH/MR from June 7 to Sept. 2. Sherrie L. Bochnak was placed as a clerk typist 2 at $7.32 per hour for MH/MR, effective July 1.
? In the election bureau, Lisa Horvath, department clerk II, was granted family medical leave from May 22 through June 5 and her resignation was accepted as of June 5.
? In the office of Planning, Zoning and Community Development, military leave was approved for Scot Sage from June 25 to March 2003. The resignation of Francis DeCarlo was accepted, effective July 12. Lloyd Eicher was transferred temporarily from planning/zoning technician I to planning/zoning technician III at a rate of $11.03 and hour, effective June 25.
? In the tax claim bureau, the resignation of Erica Clark, account clerk I, was accepted, effective June 3.