Jul 11, 2016 3 min read

CARMICHAELS – A new subdivision and land development ordinance will help Cumberland Township officials “control our destiny” with future development.

The township supervisors unanimously passed the ordinance Monday afternoon to determine how properties can be divided through lot splits and subdivisions, while also overseeing other regulations.

“It’s about making this more harmonious (for developers) and helping us to control our own destiny,” township code enforcement officer Ann Bargerstock said.

The ordinance is in line with the state’s municipality planning code, so it does not break new ground when it comes to subdividing lots or regulating land development. However, it does streamline the process and allow for developers to go through the township rather than having to apply for changes through the county’s planning commission.

“It really isn’t changing much,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Groves said about the rules for subdividing lots.

Bargerstock said the ordinance goes “hand in glove” with the township’s zoning and building codes already in place.

“It all rolls in together with each other,” she said.

The subdivision and land development ordinance, which township officials were working on for the past two years, will regulate the dividing of property through lot splits and subdivisions. It will also oversee the development of new roads and other infrastructure improvements, such as sewers and stormwater lines.

The land development portion will address construction or improvements of multi-family, commercial and industrial buildings, although it doesn’t cover the construction of a single-family home or a farm building.

“It’s a matter of us being able to control development in the township,” Bargerstock said. “It saves on a lot of confusion. It’s more convenient. If they’re building a road, they have to do it to our specs anyway.”

Also during the meeting, supervisors approved several new insurance packages. The commercial packages, which include property, crime, inland marine, general liability, auto and umbrella, will cost $33,760. The package for Darwin Insurance, which includes public officials, employer protection and police will cost $20,246. They also approved a motion to stay with State Workers Insurance Fund for workers compensation for $111,336.

The supervisors also accepted payment of the $711,976 in Act 13 impact fee drilling funds, depositing $300,000 in the police fund and putting the remaining $411,976 in the reserve account.

The supervisors approved motion to hire Zachary Howard as a part-time police officer at a rate of $14 per hour with no benefits. His pay rate will increase to $16 per hour after a one-year probationary period ends.

Monday’s meeting was continued until July 25 when the supervisors will meet again at the township building at 4 p.m.