Laurel A. Oswalt

The meeting addressed a request for a variance concerning the subdivision of a farm parcel lot less than 25 acres at 5421 Paradise Road, Agricultural District. The applicant sought to permit the subdivision of a 21.8-acre wooded area along the natural boundary of Pine Hill Road, with the intent to place each resulting lot into Ag Land Preservation separately. After deliberation, the board denied the variance request, concluding that it did not meet the legal requirements for permitting such a subdivision.

The work session discussion focused on proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, specifically concerning data center zoning, accessory apartments, accessory family dwelling units, and short-term rentals. Consensus was reached on data center zoning regarding noise limits, on-site monitoring, and buffer adequacy. The Board approved Resolution No. 2026-08 for the acceptance of a portion of Intermediate Avenue, directing staff to address emergency access on Stony Lane. The final land development plan for Dover Solar I, LLC --- Energix Renewables was approved, noting the elimination of battery energy storage systems. Funding approval was granted, not to exceed $13,000, for tenting and temporary heat during masonry work on the Township Building Project. Additionally, the Board approved the Memorandum of Understanding with York County Planning to Share GIS Data and approved the Disaster Declaration for the January 24th-26th Winter Storm.

Key discussions during the meeting included setting the wages for working supervisors at $17.00 per working hour and the disbursement of funds from the Nathan C. Wallace Trust Fund to various local organizations for 2025. The Board appointed Brown Plus to conduct the financial audits for 2024, 2025, and 2026, with Hamilton and Musser, PC serving as consultants. The Board also discussed the potential termination of the Trust Fund agreement with BNY Bank, stating a disagreement with the proposed terms and opting to await action from the Attorney's General Office regarding fund disbursement.

The key discussions included the consideration of Zoning Hearing Case ZHB 25-6, an application by The Seasons, LP, regarding the requirement for guest parking facilities separate from individual driveways for their townhome development. The Commission debated the ordinance's ambiguity and the practicality of the Zoning Officer's interpretation, ultimately recommending that the Zoning Hearing Board overturn the interpretation due to lack of clarity. The Commission also reviewed text amendments for the Data Center ordinance, specifically clarifying the noise limit wording from 'OF' to 'ON property line', and voted to forward this draft to the Board of Supervisors. Correspondence regarding 2025 attendance was reviewed with no changes noted.

The meeting involved several key administrative actions for Dover Township. Discussions centered on the appointment of the audit firm for the 2022 financial audit, which was set as Brown Schultz Sheridan & Fritz, with Hamilton and Musser, PC serving as consultants. The hourly wage for Working Supervisors was established at $14.05. Furthermore, the auditors determined the disbursement amounts for the Wallace Trust Fund recipients for 2023, agreeing to decrease most donations by $25.00 compared to the previous year and exploring online payment options. The board also confirmed the continuation of current officers for 2023, with Katrina DeLauter serving as Chairperson and Cherie Drawbaugh as Secretary.