Hellam Township

This Comprehensive Recreation, Park and Open Space Plan serves as a strategic roadmap for Hellam Township and Hallam Borough, aiming to enhance recreation offerings and conserve natural resources. The plan outlines five core goals: protecting open space, natural resources, and scenic rural character; establishing parks and recreation facilities as community destinations for active, healthy lifestyles; connecting the community through a system of trails; facilitating recreation opportunities for active living; and ensuring operational excellence and financial sustainability through continued partnership. It seeks to create a protected system of parks, open space, greenways, and trails that sustains natural and scenic resources while meeting citizens' recreation needs, ultimately enriching the quality of life for residents and visitors.

The Hellam Township Environmental Advisory Council meeting included discussions on several topics. Proposed changes to the Open Burn Ordinance were presented and will be refined for the November meeting, along with a draft cover letter for the Planning Commission. The council discussed a tree event scheduled for September 20 at the library, the Graham Preserve meadow, and a potential invitation to Keith Williams for a future meeting. Ideas for community involvement were explored, including a community action calendar and a Hellam Heroes recognition program. The need for a new banner with the council's logo was discussed, and the council approved the new logo to be sent to the BOS for approval. Strategies for EAC promotion on social media and potential events were also considered. Additionally, a map to mark environmentally significant locations in the Township for display in the library was requested. The Lees Lane woody debris situation was updated, with YCCD involved and the property owner pursuing a grant.

The meeting included discussions on modern logistic warehouses, review of the York County Model Warehouse Ordinance, and a PennFuture document highlighting common issues related to warehouses. The commission reviewed and revised the solar ordinance, adding new definitions and clarifying language on inspection fees, solar easements, stormwater requirements, agrivoltaics requirements, environmental protection, PSES location to substation/transmission line, decommissioning costs, decommissioning standards, and operating data reporting. Ongoing business includes logistics/warehouse ordinance, data centers, sign ordinance, EAC checklist, and Riverland 1 & 2 Ordinance.

The meeting involved a review and discussion of the solar ordinance, including calculations for building coverage, glare studies, landscape plans, lease and easement agreements, and land development considerations. There were discussions on agrivoltaics requirements, stormwater requirements, and solar easements for adjoining properties. Additional topics included logistics/warehouse ordinance, data centers (backup power, electrical grid impact, zoning), and zoning analysis and mapping using GIS.

The meeting involved discussions on various topics including concerns from citizens regarding short-term rentals, updates on Lavender Acres, the use of ATVs and golf carts within the Township, and a request from the Eastern York County Sewer Authority. The Board reviewed the 2025 draft budgets, addressing a deficit and considering options such as increasing taxes. Additionally, a grant application for the Friendship Fire Company was approved, and hydraulic load testing for a Short-Term Rental property was discussed.