[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6528146,"mediaKeyId","3428491-934beb57b42a0571ce1da3f7363caa7f","parentId",3428491,"title","Planning commission approves three lot consolidations and minor subdivisions in county townships","audioSeconds",1174,"startMs",32000,"endMs",1206925,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3428491-934beb57b42a0571ce1da3f7363caa7f&start=32&end=1206","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3428491-934beb57b42a0571ce1da3f7363caa7f/thumbnail_32000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6528146/Carbon-County/Pennsylvania/Planning-commission-approves-three-lot-consolidations-and-minor-subdivisions-in-county-townships","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528146-884359d47f080473656239af4fca13a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144546&Signature=TD037M9qlWNs4B1-NDNXLxD8wUjWtC0wS5ac14BMOfEGNKMDLUok8IbP0~WgEi-k7Xn0OiV5hw~qxkWvyURMXg0MdAab9ZhBN4hss~xSZdLCyO28tROUQlbbI1dDa0skHG4ybdkL4LeDXN0YkI5vXp3NDXdpc1Y8KHWpBWzuPfTIUkfGwjjWE6~RmNENZHcJsto2f5fuxW33sa7HftnXwB9c~1XHeCASj8RIevCfh0ui5FySN71CYfubxpDmuoakfyuUxBRyiKmvKS4vruH08pTcuNYHn9z~NJtl6jIpSZV6ltcUG3HKqp0cjS7-hbivZVPnpXZr25E-eQ24lvg0Ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Carbon County, PA","date","2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","article","The Carbon County Planning Commission approved three separate minor subdivision and lot consolidation items during its meeting.

Pacnotti Enterprises: Planning staff described a subdivision in Banks Township to combine two tax parcels and create a single 1.453‑acre tract that will include an existing house and an old church site. Staff said the parcel is zoned M‑1 (industrial) and R‑2 (medium‑density residential) and that the proposal conforms to the referenced subdivision and zoning requirements; the commission approved the plan.

Johnson Lane (Tormented Trails), Penn Forest Township: Staff reported a simple lot‑line revision at 81 Johnson Lane that combines two existing lots into a 0.867‑acre tract. The plan showed existing on‑lot water and sewer and existing structures. Staff noted several minor omissions on the submitted plan — the surveyor’s seal was not on the plan, owner certification/signature authorizing staff to inspect the property was incomplete, and significant natural features (trees greater than 8‑inch caliper) were not shown — but said the plan is exempt from standard procedures under the Penn Forest Township minor plan exemption. The commission granted conditional final approval pending completion of the outstanding items.

Donald J. / Eiffert lot combination (Keira Township): Staff described a request to combine two existing lots at an old golf course site in Keira Township into a single 27.77‑acre tract with existing on‑lot water and sewer and existing buildings. Staff said the submission conforms to minor final plan requirements under the township’s land‑development and zoning ordinances, and the commission approved the plan.

Procedural notes: Each item was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition in the meeting transcript. Where staff flagged missing survey or signature items, the commission conditioned final approval on completion of those items or otherwise exempted the plan under minor‑plan provisions.

Why this matters: The approvals consolidate multiple tax parcels and clean up legacy parcel mapping and title issues, and conditional approvals require applicants to provide missing certifications and survey details before final recording. In the Penn Forest item, staff said the township is updating its ordinance and had granted many waivers previously for tree‑caliper requirements, which led to removal of the specific tree‑caliper requirement from the revised ordinance.

Next steps: Where conditional approvals were granted, staff will require submission of outstanding certifications, seals and any required survey corrections prior to final plan recording.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission Meeting 5-20-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Carbon County Planning Commission approved three minor subdivisions or lot consolidations in Banks, Penn Forest and Keira townships, with one approval conditioned on completion of missing survey and certification items.","taxTitle","Carbon County, Pennsylvania","taxId",71753,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6528150,"Carbon County staff flags major deficiencies in proposed Mahoning Township solar park; commission sends comments to township",854,317215,1172050,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3428491-934beb57b42a0571ce1da3f7363caa7f&start=317&end=1172","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3428491-934beb57b42a0571ce1da3f7363caa7f/thumbnail_317215.jpg","/articles/6528150/Carbon-County/Pennsylvania/Carbon-County-staff-flags-major-deficiencies-in-proposed-Mahoning-Township-solar-park-commission-sends-comments-to-township","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528150-96fa2a714ae6c6d7a65b2de719851682/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144546&Signature=P5zkkcY5CBQGeSY6~DZCgNFC2-il2UEtYKQw3HtJiNxOJzNFZBl4GMjtYn0ytpIuIxsxvKHeeHHJnoR7AeSPcAs9-WtHuM8pXAVe3xbRRcIW96K~03YCkmcmnZvXHZZfZBpGOW~w20ejSqGhCNqcfeZB-OHvdT1VaklSCMZcOrBGRSoEoiIzFws6VljpakmycaYEZ3-g-rs~1O7Nr2quFpyhmXtdcY1SZ8BRCnr1mm4Yx4GMYR2tZdD9hl17svZLLiq1s9wLQyU-exv~~4Yd9jlUh6TmK9cbyyB-RSZWut2zmUt0PQ5an3h55MUrRMSKsfVJhzeD9NTdAkackAFHtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning staff told the Carbon County Planning Commission that a land‑development plan submitted by Milo Enterprises to build a commercial solar energy facility in Mahoning Township contains several major deficiencies and “precludes any recommendation for approval” unless the applicant supplies missing documentation and addresses technical concerns. The commission voted to forward staff comments to the Mahoning Township supervisors.

The staff presentation summarized the plan and the review. The plan proposes up to about 10.08 acres of earth disturbance to construct a ground‑mounted commercial solar facility with arrays shown on the plan as 5,400 panels; the applicant told Mahoning Township supervisors there could be “approximately 5,800 to 5,900 solar panels,” a discrepancy staff said must be confirmed before approval. The plan shows a connection to an existing PPL pole and a transformer location; staff said transformer specifications and electrical conduit details were not sufficiently documented.

Planning staff cited wetlands and floodplain concerns. “Portions of the proposed land development and access driveway are located within the 100‑year floodplain as established by FEMA,” staff said in their review excerpted to the commission. Staff also noted an on‑site sewer line easement and a PPL utility easement running through the parcel, and that the entire lot contains delineated wetlands. Staff said the township’s conditional use approval (Mahoning Township Board of Supervisors, 02/12/2025) does not replace required county or state permits.

Why this matters: staff said the project requires multiple agency approvals to proceed safely and lawfully, including a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) for stormwater associated with construction activities because earth disturbance exceeds one acre, and review and concurrence from the Carbon County Conservation District. Staff warned that inadequate stormwater design could route runoff into Mahoning Creek, which the review described as a high‑quality cold water fishery.

Staff detailed missing items and nonconformities: a complete perimeter survey showing bearings and distances; surveyor seal and owner certification; a soil erosion and sedimentation control plan; full stormwater calculations and a drainage plan meeting township standards; a preliminary resources and site analysis; a transportation plan addressing roads and bridges used during construction and maintenance; evidence of adequate firefighting water supply and fire apparatus access; and documentation that underground electrical conduit will be installed at depths that will not impede proposed stormwater or driveway structures.

Staff said local access is a constraint: the planned site access would use a paved driveway from Ashtown Road across property where access was granted by a private bus company. Reviewers also flagged a single‑lane stone bridge on Ashtown Road as vulnerable to heavy construction traffic and recommended evaluating road and bridge capacity, possible road bonding, and financial assurance to address potential damage.

On emergency access and site layout, staff wrote that the plan shows no fire lanes between panel arrays and no demonstrated method for emergency or maintenance vehicles to reach arrays on steep slopes; they requested documentation showing how emergency responders and maintenance crews could reliably access the site.

On routing and equipment, staff asked the applicant to confirm the final number of panels and provide transformer specifications and the proposed routing of underground conduit to the PPL pole so conflicts with the sewer easement and stormwater outlet can be avoided.

Commission action: The Planning Commission voted to transmit staff reviewer Ivan’s comments to Mahoning Township for consideration. The motion passed.

Next steps and caveats: Staff recommended the plan be reviewed as a preliminary major land‑development plan because township rules lack a final minor land‑development procedure for this type of commercial solar project. Staff noted that if the noted conditions cannot be adequately addressed or mitigated before preliminary plan approval, they recommend rejection of the project as submitted. County staff emphasized the project will require county and state permits (Carbon County Conservation District, PA DEP/NPDES) and township compliance before final approval or recording.

Planning staff said their review and the commission’s action were intended to inform Mahoning Township supervisors and the applicant and to identify items that must be resolved before the commission or township can grant final approval.","Planning staff reviewed a land‑development plan by Milo Enterprises for a commercial solar facility in Mahoning Township and identified multiple missing studies, permit needs and safety concerns. The Planning Commission voted to send staff’s detailed comments to the township for further action.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6528141,"Planning commission recommends county adopt comprehensive and Greenway/Trails open‑space plans",1312,1458375,2770848,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3428491-934beb57b42a0571ce1da3f7363caa7f&start=1458&end=2770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3428491-934beb57b42a0571ce1da3f7363caa7f/thumbnail_1458375.jpg","/articles/6528141/Carbon-County/Pennsylvania/Planning-commission-recommends-county-adopt-comprehensive-and-GreenwayTrails-openspace-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528141-c4d63e4c1c7aac9d5464923d62c9d3cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144546&Signature=LLbsthjeeUzaCEeYDcQm3f1as4pZ~Styqh1P8hI9VBIXhq8dTi9h376jI7~anOjrysukGOiPfGg6dovODS9c1pj7wSSRmlAixPhAzm7FgtLuR-4IQ8B1Gz85MG~ekadKgcOQPjd77MwGWcu5AWH-Ru5-6vse~nY5WJpErQGB2oZfXOv3rI~RXxfaUbW6SoQ4j2ww346pzxSszDxao8DekFMcURS4y6-M4Jzwg3nUhjPiIw7CFnX-7aWGSs96eetXHJpv~LOEKNhDJadOenQ7Jwkb3GXyzibtF6-amD2b6KcMm2opWAvjxe3ZFdD5gAwqKvxAKH6D8WaJUit2wFL-zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tim Stobbe, project manager for the county comprehensive plan and the Greenway Trails Open Space Plan, presented draft documents to the Carbon County Planning Commission and asked the commission to recommend them to the Board of Commissioners for adoption at the commissioners’ June meeting. Stobbe said both plans are in public review and have been posted on the county website for the required 45‑day review period. He noted grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) support both projects and that grant deadlines require actions in June unless extensions are requested.

Stobbe described the public‑engagement process and key findings. “This is truly your document,” he told the commission, acknowledging a steering committee and extensive outreach at events including the Carbon County Fair and other community meetings. Major findings highlighted by staff included regional pressures on housing (commuting and second‑home purchases), aging infrastructure and gaps in critical infrastructure data, rising childcare costs (staff cited figures that childcare can represent about 12% of a family’s income and about 40% of a single person’s income), and the significant local use of recreational assets (staff said nearly 70% of visitors to natural features were county residents based on mobility data).

Plan structure and recommendations: The comprehensive plan organizes policy around four themes identified by the steering committee — housing, outdoor economy, infrastructure, and creating places — and provides goals, recommended implementation actions, pilot projects and case studies. The Greenway Trails Open Space Plan emphasizes trail connections, conservation of open space and farmland preservation, cultural and historical site protection, and recreation‑related economic development. Staff said the plans include implementation tables that identify suggested lead parties, funding sources and timelines, plus an index of potential grants and loans to help municipalities and the county seek funding.

Short‑term rentals and other local ordinance tools: Stobbe said the draft includes a two‑ to three‑page primer on short‑term rental policy to help municipalities considering ordinance changes. He also said the draft offers recommendations for coordinating municipalities regionally for planning and implementation where appropriate.

Commission action: A planning commissioner moved a recommendation of approval to the Board of Commissioners; Sean Taylor seconded the motion. The commission voted in favor of recommending the comprehensive plan and the Greenway Trails Open Space Plan to the Board of Commissioners for consideration of adoption.

Next steps: Staff requested the commission’s recommendation so the Board of Commissioners can consider adoption at its June meeting. Stobbe noted that if additional time is needed, the county will notify DCED and DCNR and seek an extension to meet grant obligations. The drafts remain open for public comment during the advertised review period.","Project manager Tim Stobbe presented draft comprehensive and Greenway Trails/Open Space plans to the planning commission. The commission voted to recommend the documents to the Board of Commissioners for adoption; both plans are in a 45‑day public review period and supported by DCED and DCNR grants.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission approves three lot consolidations and minor subdivisions in county townships

Carbon County staff flags major deficiencies in proposed Mahoning Township solar park; commission sends comments to township

Planning commission recommends county adopt comprehensive and Greenway/Trails open‑space plans