September 7, 2007
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Lycoming County commissioners will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m., Oct. 17 regarding a proposed amendment to the county zoning ordinance that addresses wind farm development.
County development services supervisor Clifford A. Kanz announced the hearing, which will be held in the commissioners boardroom at the Executive Plaza, Thursday during a commissioners meeting.
The commissioners will consider whether to accept a recommendation by the county Planning Commission to allow commercial wind farm development by right in resource protection, agricultural and countryside districts.
The current ordinance allows wind farm development in agricultural and countryside districts by right, and in resource protection districts by a special exception permit issued by the county Zoning Hearing Board.
The Planning Commission voted unanimously on Aug. 29 to recommend the commissioners pass the proposed amendment.
Commissioner Rebecca A. Burke said she did not know when the commissioners would vote on the amendment. County solicitor Eugene Yaw said the county is required to advertise the amendment, and would have to vote on it no more than 60 days and at least seven days after the advertisement was run.
In other business, the commissioners approved a reorganization of the county Department of Planning and Community Development.
Department director Kurt Hausammann Jr., who proposed the reorganization, said it will allow department supervisors to have a more active role in making decisions and supervising department staff.
According to Hausammann, the department, which was run by former director Jerry S. Walls, had a more centralized management system. The new system will allow decisions to be made more quickly and efficiently, he said.
“Fulfilling our goals and objectives will result in better and more timely customer service,” he said. “Residents and developers should appreciate the results”
Hausammann said that he and deputy director William Kelly will supply division supervisors with direction and oversight.
By David Thompson
7 September 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/09/07/hearing-to-tackle-amendment/