Jun 3, 2014 4 min read

WAYNESBURG – Greene County Planning Commission Monday approved revisions to the county’s subdivision and land development ordinance commission and recommended their adoption by the county commissioners.

Commission solicitor Kevin O’Malley explained many of the revisions involve changes to the ordinance that have already been approved and implemented by the commission over the years, but which have never formally been adopted as part of the original 1995 ordinance.

Other recommended amendments were proposed after review of the municipal planning code, changes in regulations since the ordinance’s initial adoption and based on staff recommendations, he said.

The most significant change will allow the commission to approve projects in phases and give it the authority to ask developers to submit performance bonds for each phase.

Phasing might be applicable for a residential subdivision, for example, for which the developer constructs infrastructure, such as an access road and water lines, and several houses in the first phase and later extends the infrastructure and builds additional houses in subsequent phases.

Robbie Matesic, county director of development, said the provision will allow developers to submit projects to the commission and not be held up on the start of construction.

Before a phased project is approved, however, the developer will have to submit complete design plans and receive all the applicable state Department of Environmental Protection permits, she said. The developer also will begin work at his own risk and face the loss should the project not reach fruition.

Other amendments will require a developer or his representative to be present at the commission’s meetings to explain the project and require developers to include on their plans any proposed noise controls, retention walls, towers, transmission structures or off-site water discharges that do not flow directly to a stream.

The commission voted to recommend the county commissioners adopt the revisions after a public hearing and a 30-day public comment period.

Matesic said she also will schedule meetings with municipal officials to discuss the changes.

In other business, the commission granted preliminary approval to plans by the Greensboro-Monongahela Township Community Volunteer Fire Company to construct a new fire house at the vacant Holy Family Catholic Church on Front Street.

The fire company purchased the vacant church in December and proposes to construct an 8,000-square-foot building next to the church to serve as a garage for its fire trucks and equipment.

The church itself will be used by the company as a social hall, warming center in times of extreme weather and a training center for the fire department. It also will be available to rent for wedding receptions and other functions.

Robert Killinger of K2 Engineering presented the plan to the commission. A concern was raised about the use of a retention pond on the property to handle stormwater because of the property’s closeness to a ball field where children play. It was noted, however, the property will be fenced.

For final approval, the company still must receive approval of a storm water management plan, erosion and sedimentation control plan and a highway occupancy permit.

The commission also granted preliminary approval to three compressor station expansions.

Preliminary approval was granted to construct a new compressor building, operations building and gravel pads at EQT’s Jupiter Compressor Station off Piper Ridge Road in Morgan Township.

The site is 11.4 acres, of which less than five acres will be disturbed for the new development. A sediment pond at the site has been filled in and reclaimed.

An air quality plan for the expansion was granted by the DEP. Approval of a storm water management plan, erosion and sedimentation control plan and receipt of a preliminary application letter from the township are needed for final approval.

The commission also granted preliminary approval to plans by EQT to expand its Callisto Compressor Station off Hopkins Run Road in Morris Township.

The company will expand the operation sat the 23.35-acre site by constructing an addition of about 8,250 square feet to the existing compressor building. An air quality plan was approved by DEP.

For final approval, the developer must submit an approved storm water management plan, receive a preliminary application letter from the township and receive an erosion and sedimentation control plan permit from DEP.

Preliminary approval also was granted to plans by Regency Marcellus Gas Gathering LLC to add a compressor to the Chevron Milesky metering station off Oak Forest Road in Center Township.

The compressor will be enclosed in an 810-square-foot, steel building insulated to reduce noise. Final approval will be granted upon receipt of an approved storm water management plan and a preliminary application letter from the township.