Township of Lower Swatara

This Organization Assessment and Strategy Recommendation Plan for the Lower Swatara Volunteer Fire Department outlines strategic administrative and operational objectives to ensure the continued success and resilience of the all-volunteer fire-rescue system. The plan focuses on six key objectives: reviewing the fire department and township relationship, establishing a Community Fire-Rescue Advisory Board, enhancing company-level administrative functions, improving membership, adopting an apparatus fleet plan, and strengthening local and regional partnerships. The overarching goal is to address funding challenges, foster better relationships, and adapt to evolving needs to maintain a healthy volunteer-based fire-rescue system for the next five to seven years.

The meeting addressed several key issues, including a waiver request for Greenfield Drive & Blue Raider Lane concerning horizontal and vertical curves due to an AT&T fiber optic line conflict, and a zoning map amendment requested by Dermody Properties, LLC, to rezone parcels for industrial use, with discussions on stormwater management and traffic impact. Additionally, there were discussions on proposed zoning map amendments to rezone parcels along AIP Drive and the Middletown Area School District Campus, as well as an update to the Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan, focusing on alternative sewer solutions and associated costs for homeowners.

The meeting addressed several key items, including a Zoning Map Amendment and a Zoning Text Amendment for the Fulling Mills project, with discussions on rezoning parcels to Residential Suburban and permitting age-restricted residential development as a Conditional Use. The Planning Commission also reviewed The Pond II project, a request for a Special Exception to construct townhouses within the Commercial Neighborhood District, focusing on compatibility, purpose, suitability, accessibility, serviceability, and applicability. Additionally, the commission discussed The Middletown Home project, a Preliminary/Final Land Development Plan for a 3-story apartment building, addressing accessible entrances, walking trails, fire lanes, and stormwater management. Revisions to the Subdivision & Land Development Ordinance and Zoning Ordinance were also discussed, including updates to accessory farm retail, apartment accessory definitions, and regulations for mineral recovery, as well as considerations for chicken ordinances and newer topics like Data Centers and Solar Arrays.

The meeting included discussions and tabling of the Fulling Mills zoning amendment application, revisions to the Subdivision & Land Development Ordinance and Zoning Ordinance, and the Chicken Ordinance. Topics covered in the ordinance revisions included pool regulations, parking standards, business signs, parking ratios, street naming, snow dump areas, easements, storm sewers, definitions, retail categories, restaurant classifications, building heights, solar canopies, accessory apartments, lighting, and non-conforming uses. Specific changes were made to chicken ordinance setbacks, reducing the distance from adjacent dwellings to 50 feet.

The meeting addressed financial security adjustments for Catherine Hershey School, a proposal from WY Electric for a pump station grinder installation, and authorization for a Highway Occupancy Permit for the Lumber Street project. Discussions also covered a pipe replacement project at Ebenezer Road and Longview Drive, a cost share request for the Highspire Borough Authority Biosolids Project, and the potential engagement of an appraiser for eminent domain easements. The board approved the Lumber Street Interceptor Improvements Project. The Engineer's Report included updates on Act 537 Planning, the Jamesway Pump Station Generator Installation Project, and the Capital Campus Interceptor Improvements Project. The Manager reported on Middletown's potential treatment plant upgrades, and the Municipal Authority Representative provided updates on the Middle School Pump Station and manhole replacements.