×

Crowd expected at Tuesday’s planning meeting

By JOHN RISHEL

jrishel@lockhaven.com

LOCK HAVEN — There could be a full house at the Clinton County Courthouse next Tuesday night, as the Clinton County Planning Commission has announced a venue change for its upcoming monthly meeting.

The February meeting, originally scheduled at the county’s Piper Building, has been changed to the large courtroom at the courthouse, 230 E. Water St., Lock Haven. The meeting begins at 7 p.m.

“We had people standing at the last meeting, we want people to be able to be seated. The courtroom is bigger. A member of the public at that hearing requested that this change be made,” said county planning director Katie de Silva.

At the last meeting, a request to consider a Clinton County zoning ordinance amendment led to many concerned members of the public coming out to voice their opinions.

The request pertained to the 39-acre Woolrich Lodge property at 169 Brayton Lodge Lane in Gallagher Township, which is currently zoned Woodland Conservation.

Robert C. Wise, of Lock Haven, made the request to change the zoning and has proposed purchasing and developing the property into an institutional residence, a drug treatment facility accommodating up to 25 residents at one time.

Planning commission secretary Terry Murty said at that meeting he would like more information, and suggested the other six townships covered under county zoning be asked to give feedback on the matter. The matter was tabled until next Tuesday for further discussion and to gather more information.

Over 50 people attended the January meeting to learn more about Wise’s request, and several of them requested the opportunity to comment.

One community member asked for an example of an institutional residence that exists in the county, and de Silva mentioned that the Bald Eagles Boys Camp could be comparable. She said she would seek feedback from Bald Eagle Township on the district’s zoning and local reaction to that facility.

Other issues raised were the issue of sewage disposal and the high population of children living in residences in that area.

“That Gallagher Township issue drew a lot of attention. It is a matter of capacity. If that many people show up again, there is a need for a bigger room,” said county commissioner Pete Smeltz Thursday morning. “It is important to remember that any decision or recommendation to change a zoning ordinance would impact all seven of these municipalities.”

These townships include Grugan, Colebrook, West Keating, East Keating, Noyes, Logan and Gallagher.

With more people expected to attend this meeting, de Silva said she “expects a courtroom full of people.”

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

Starting at $3.69/week.

Subscribe Today