Adams Township Planning Commission Meeting Minutes June 4,2025

                                                              June 4, 2025

1. Call to Order

 

1. 1. Meeting to be called to order at 7:30 pm.  The following Planning Commission Board Members are to be determined to attend:

1. Ron Young (RJ) – Chairman – absent
2. Rich Webb – Vice Chairman

• Ed Pentrack

1. John Nibert
2. Percy Helsel
3. Randy Cortese

• Rick Lehman- absent

1. Zoning Officer – Representative from the CCBCEA d/b/a Laurel Municipal Inspection Agency-Melissa absent
2. The following people are to be listed as attendees at the meeting:
   1. To be determined

 

1. Previous Meeting Minutes to be reviewed and voted upon: Regular meeting minutes.

1^st Percy Helsel; 2^nd John Nibert

 

• Correspondence to be reviewed

 

1. Adams Township Supervisors Meeting minutes; Township News; Cambria County Planning Commission letter; Laurel Municipal Inspection Agency Report

 

1. Visitors and Public Input

 

1. Frank Roush – Mr. Roush would like to have 200 acres of solar panel. He currently has contracts with two of the largest corporations in the country.  The Planning Commission stated that his request will need to be reviewed. Mr. Roush mentioned his previous letter was mistakenly directed to the supervisor and not the Planning Commission.  The Planning Commission assured Mr. Roush that his letter was passed onto the supervisors. Mr. Roush would like to be included for three of his farms for solar panels – ne on WPA and two one on Palestine Road. 3 farms. Mr. Roush mentioned some sections of the solar ordinance that won’t stand – such as 1000-foot setback and the $50,000 charge. He is still considering his request for solar. Planning Commission answered Mr. Roush stating that his properties are not in the designated areas of the township that will allow solar farms. The Planning Commission stated down the road that it may be possible to expand it, but it is not the given. For now, at this time, solar will not be permitted on his farms.  The Planning Commission stated we have a zoning map with a special designated area.  This will be controlled zoning for now.  A question by the audience asked – how was zone picked?  The Planning Commission stated an isolated area of the township, considered to be a brown area. We have a restrictive solar ordinance.  The Planning Commission stated that our solar ordinance was reviewed by a specialist from Penn State who is well versed on solar farms and says our solar ordinance is very restricted.
2. Chuck Krevel – Mr. Krevel wanted to give update on storage building plans and drawings. Randy spoke with EADS group today and there are minor changes – missing the GP wetland encroachment. Mr. Cortese states to answer his question, the Planning Commission is unable to give permission until a permit is issued. The Planning Commission stated we would need to see site plans and have all the calculations from EADS. We can’t put on record for permission to start moving dirt – will need permit from our codes department. The Planning Commission will approve the site plan, and Melissa will give him the permit. The Planning Commission instructed Mr. Krevel to get the GP to the EADS group and then EADS will send us a letter.  The Planning Commission will need to see the final site plan.  Once approved, Mr. Krevel is good to go.
3. Dave Hartek – Mr. Hartek questioned the size of the lot for solar and if there was an environmental impact study completed? The Planning Commission said we picked an area we thought was the most isolated and it was recommended by the Farm Bureau to choose brown areas – their stance is instead not to take prime agricultural land first.
4. An audience member asked who decided on solar ordinance? The Planning Commission stated the solar ordinance came to us through our solicitor and that if we don’t address it by having a solar ordinance in place, that solar would go anywhere in the Township. By addressing it with a solar ordinance we can regulate it. Our state legislators are requiring it.  At our last meeting we had fire concerns and after that meeting, we added fire suppression to the solar ordinance.
5. Josh Zollar – Mr. Zollar asked if just one person owns the land where the solar is to be placed? Mr. Zollar stated that if he wants to put up on his own property, he thinks it should be opened to others. The Planning Commission stated on roofs and in yards – it is allowed.   Planning Commission stated we are starting slow. Mr. Zollar stated there may be other people who would like to have the opportunity.

Karen Hennessy – Ms. Hennessy said would like to hear some of the grievances from Portage. It was heard that Portage residents don’t want to see it there as it was once a forest they hunted in.  The solar panels omit a lot of heat and the residents’ electricity bill didn’t go down. They have severe water runoff – these issues are addressed in our solar ordinance.  Portage doesn’t have proper access to panels in case of fire, but our ordinance addresses it.  The biggest thing is the devaluation of your property,

 

REQUEST TO READ written statement does not want GALEN HORNER – letter attached to minutes.

 

Chris Baxter – The Planning Commission addressed Mr. Baxter’s’ concerns stating if a resident doesn’t want it, they don’t have to have it. We as a township are being mandated to pick a spot – we either pick a spot or open the area. If whoever owns the property say they don’t want it in that area that is between the resident and the solar company.

 

The Planning Commission suggested everyone read the ordinance.  There will be one more meeting on June 9 – The Adams Township Supervisors meeting.  If the Planning Commission approves the solar ordinance it will go to the supervisors next.  The Planning Commission urged the audience to read the solar ordinance and if there are concerns to come to this meeting.

 

Nicholas Fiser – Mr. Fiser asked why it can’t be done on a case-by-case basis.  The Planning Commission stated it could be done but there would be solar farms everywhere.  It was suggested to Mr. Fiser come to the June 9 meeting. This is why we try to isolate.  Mr. Fiser asked if we could cut the area off higher up or on the other side of the road or to another conservancy?  Is it still going to be conservancy? It was suggested to go to the supervisor’s meeting on June 9. It was also stated that the Township does a little bit better when posting a notice and that the only notice was an 8 x 11 sheet.

Amber Fiser– Ms. Fiser asked is there a reason it must be such a substantial size?

Recommended again to come to the June 9 meeting at 5:00 p.m.

 

1. Old Business & New Business

 

1. Old Business

1. Motion to review and approve Andrew Butterworth subdivision plan – missing his HOP. Butterworth is waiting for it and should receive it within a few days.  Planning Commission voted to approve the subdivision pending HOP paperwork.  The Planning Commission instructed Mr. Butterworth to bring the permit in when he receives it.

1^st Randy Cortese

2^nd Percy Helsel

All in favor

 

1. New Business

I . Review and motion to recommend/ approve to Board of Supervisors AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF ADAMS, AMENDING THE ADAMS TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE NEW ZONING REGULATIONS CONCERNING THE INSTALLATION OF SOLAR ENERGY DEVICES, INCLUDING DESIGNATION OF A LIMITED OVERLAY DISTRICT, SE FOR COMMERCIAL SCALE SOLAR DEVELOPMENT.

1^st John Nibert

2^nd Randy Cortese

All in favor

 

1. Zoning Officer Report to be submitted by a representative from the CCBCEA d/b/a Laurel Municipal Inspection Agency, reviewed and voted upon

There are six permits

 

• Adjournment motion to adjourn Randy Cortese 2^nd Ed Pentrack all in favor 8:34 p.m.