Shohola Township considers zoning changes

Vera Moret
Posted 8/21/12

SHOHOLA, PA — Shohola Township officials opened up a conversation with residents regarding potential changes to the existing township zoning map in order to promote growth to the area. Supervisor …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Shohola Township considers zoning changes

Posted

SHOHOLA, PA — Shohola Township officials opened up a conversation with residents regarding potential changes to the existing township zoning map in order to promote growth to the area. Supervisor George Fluhr opened the discussion at the regular March 12 township meeting.

Township leaders believe that controlled commercial growth would benefit the region greatly by providing jobs to residents and tax dollars to the area. Fluhr emphasized that many hours and much consideration was devoted to the matter. Since nearly half of the township is comprised of state game lands, areas of growth are limited. The terrain also provides challenges, and zoning officer Aaron Robinson estimated that out of the approximately 400 acres that have been submitted for approval for re-zoning, only about 50 acres might be buildable. Topography, roads and existing subdivisions all provided limitations in redrawing the map.

Areas that officials recommend for redistricting generally already have existing commercial properties nearby. They include acreage in Shohola Township, along Route 434, Route 6 and the junction of Little Walker and Kuhn roads. Examples of the types of businesses that would be assets to the community, Robinson said, would be physicians’ offices, light industrial complexes and nursing homes. As the situation stands now, business owners who have expressed interest in moving to the township have been deterred by either lack of appropriate, available properties or by the length of time and effort that is currently necessary for approval to build. Robinson said it can take up to nine months to work through the process at this time, due to the high level of scrutiny given to development in the area.

Local realtor Davis Chant was among those who provided public comment. He said the occupancy rate of the newer commercial complexes in Orange County, NY is over 95%, and Pike County stands to attract yet more businesses due to Pennsylvania’s lower tax rate.

No changes will take place without formal board approval, and officials will continue to solicit the residents’ input into these decisions. The next board of supervisors general meeting will be held on April 9 at 7:30 p.m. The planning commission will meet on April 16, also at 7:30. Anyone can call or drop by the township building during regular business hours as well.

In other business, the Shohola Park and Recreation Committee mailed out its annual flyer of events to residents. Enclosed was an envelope for anyone who would like to make a donation of any amount to support all the free, public events held in the park throughout the year. Prior to the opening of the meeting, Fluhr led a moment of silence in honor of Anna Rohman, a longtime local resident who donated the property on which the park is located. Rohman passed away on March 3 at the age of 94.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here