[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6611265,"mediaKeyId","2898493-dd36e522a60b84ca9a120dffb0a29213","parentId",2898493,"title","Tri‑County staff updates: Silver Ride Home vouchers, 2050 regional transportation plan, bike share and stormwater REP work","audioSeconds",156,"startMs",494000,"endMs",650000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2898493-dd36e522a60b84ca9a120dffb0a29213&start=494&end=650","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2898493-dd36e522a60b84ca9a120dffb0a29213/thumbnail_494000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6611265/Pennsylvania/TriCounty-staff-updates-Silver-Ride-Home-vouchers-2050-regional-transportation-plan-bike-share-and-stormwater-REP-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611265-2b1fadc839530764d6947a2ab63cc85e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770822432&Signature=efhPl3eELNi0udBqV3518vVNu3AZe3Fezd6XHsPluoRC-Ppl8bb-TmSIF3SUQKlzQD9J0guI0HeWGhXKENZl07xjzcSzzPbiD10CdHdZZ4BA~Sn6DzRnVWcpVx~WtNCLeW7AXxVzniab2L5qnyPWALRiAjJP8GKwL~pJ0fCluags2aVipfQsVTMR~BfeNHlZtrC7hYhKyp5M0JmM2KtdIM8i0BqjTuKeB4Y4HhoJhciRLrq0d156zkuTTg9LgkOZvWUQtPVswY58qN7uIkcmj4tcP6yenybQGzLpgh1piio3joUttTEd8StNy27EF~ClygdRazbBO4zQTDRZuKp2NQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Dauphin County","date","2025-04-08T15:06:13.527Z","article","Tri‑County Regional Planning Commission staff updated the Dauphin County Planning Commission on several ongoing regional initiatives: a federal discretionary voucher program aiming to reduce impaired driving, an active transportation plan, the 2050 long‑range regional transportation plan (RTP), the region’s bike‑share program, and a regional effort to help MS4 permit holders coordinate stormwater projects (the REP program).

Silver Ride Home / impaired‑driving vouchers: Staff said the region received a federal discretionary grant to provide rideshare vouchers (a program branded in the meeting as “Silver Ride Home”) to reduce impaired driving, a factor in roughly 40% of traffic fatalities in the region, according to staff. Demand initially outpaced expectations over the holidays, so staff paused and then reopened the program to target high‑demand periods (St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day). An after‑action report evaluating the program’s impact is expected in May.

Regional active transportation and 2050 RTP: Staff said the regional active transportation plan (a bike and trails plan focused on larger federal‑funding‑appropriate projects) is slated for adoption at the MPO/HATS meeting; the 2050 long‑range transportation plan is entering its public‑comment stretch over summer months and is anticipated for adoption in September. Staff described a project pipeline and prioritization process that will inform TIP development.

Bike share: Staff reported operations for a regional shared bicycle system (60 bikes at 11 stations, mostly in downtown Harrisburg), and noted modest winter ridership when half the fleet was left deployed.

Funding and earmark note: Commissioners asked whether any formula or discretionary funds had been lost; staff said formula funds tied to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act are secure and that the discretionary grants described remain available. Staff said Dauphin County had an earmark for bridge work and that they would follow up to confirm current status after changes in congressional appropriations.

REP (regional stormwater collaboration): Staff described a regional REP program that assists MS4 permit communities to map stormwater issues, bundle projects across jurisdictions, pursue grant funding, and target best‑management practices. Ten municipalities in the Swatara/Switzer Creek watershed are participating; the program has some county funding and grants support. Staff said municipalities that bundle projects regionally may improve chances for funding and receive credit under permit cycles.

Millersburg stormwater follow‑up: Staff said they received as‑built drawings from the school district and asked engineers for additional information to confirm stormwater was constructed and functioning as intended; the county is supporting local coordination and exploring funding options where remediation is required.

Ending: Staff said the items will return to the commission as specific projects or grant requests move forward; staff asked commissioners to note upcoming public meetings and grant deadlines.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/7/2025 Dauphin County Planning Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Tri‑County staff briefed the Dauphin County Planning Commission on a federally funded rideshare voucher program to reduce impaired driving, the regional active transportation and 2050 long‑range transportation plans, bike‑share operations, and a regional stormwater REP initiative.","taxTitle","Dauphin, Pennsylvania","taxId",4674,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6611270,"Dauphin County Planning Commission approves 13 subdivision and land‑development reviews, ratifies staff comments",1001,1331000,2332000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2898493-dd36e522a60b84ca9a120dffb0a29213&start=1331&end=2332","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2898493-dd36e522a60b84ca9a120dffb0a29213/thumbnail_1331000.jpg","/articles/6611270/Pennsylvania/Dauphin-County-Planning-Commission-approves-13-subdivision-and-landdevelopment-reviews-ratifies-staff-comments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611270-c34669a50dc2d99fcb8bdebde8329c6c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770822432&Signature=Of98i26zc4ZH~TwB5WodN4-sRnlPGbikylXGt6-TehGNg-qdUifsWXs1HB7pBS4YPqXveaRtN0mcry~5GtW~O6K2Yst8vYpkkxAgcsXogGgAKMaFMXoGYXh08h~R8v7vjX22vjEwajGZTejD3dP8CqxnPR0ELzjiPiorrX6orISQeZqNJQEmYwMD3XXkuHsZPPYq1JOfUloZfD094d0A4fH2lEJkN-ToaLdM6wkKZB-w0Ixz1UntST4hD2oSJ7YpveTtHZLElZr3EocDachJFY6dB6Xe~a8wtOz6IDAKIQtMf3nQ0rDrAh~JqRfcu0u73aRYXbo4YF5BsK-rHNCiKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dauphin County Planning Commission voted to accept staff comments and approve 13 subdivision and land‑development referrals at its meeting.

Commissioner Gary Lanker moved to accept all 13 plans with staff comments; Joe Robinson seconded and the motion passed by voice vote. The commission’s action ratifies staff reviews prepared under the county’s local planning assistance program and constitutes the county’s official comment to the affected municipalities.

Key items discussed: staff highlighted a Millersburg Borough request relating to a school campus accessory use (scoreboard and stands) that staff determined did not constitute a land development and would be handled by staff action rather than a commission‑level land‑development decision. The commission also discussed a preliminary plan for a large Smith plan development comprising more than one million square feet of warehousing; staff noted the project had been the subject of a “long, formal contentious lawsuit” at the township level and that truck‑traffic and access studies would be relevant as the plan moves forward.

Charter Academy (20 Fifth Street, City of Harrisburg): staff described a plan to redevelop the school campus with new construction on the left side of the site while retaining existing gym and auditorium space. Commissioners asked about parking and pedestrian connectivity; staff noted the applicant had previously sought variances and that any voluntary parking agreements with neighboring properties would not be preserved automatically if the zoning district is changed.

Other actions: the commission took a separate, single‑item action to accept a Williamstown Borough lot consolidation (described as a “reverse subdivision”) and approved an update to tree/rights‑of‑way procedures for a Hummelstown (Huddlestown) borough matter. The meeting packet showed $5,346 in subdivision fees received for the period under review.

What the commission’s approval means: approvals at tonight’s meeting formally transmit county staff comments to the municipalities; municipalities retain final approval authority under the Municipalities Planning Code. In most cases the commission’s vote ratified staff recommendations rather than substituting new county policy.

Ending: Staff will send the standard review letters and any commission‑level supplemental letters for items where commissioners asked for additional comments.","The commission accepted staff reviews and approved 13 municipal plan referrals, including a preliminary review of a large Smith warehouse project and a Charter Academy campus redevelopment at 20 Fifth Street in Harrisburg; staff will transmit the county’s official comments to municipalities.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6611275,"Dauphin County planning commissioners oppose Washington Township change that would restrict solar to industrial zones",618,2659000,3277000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2898493-dd36e522a60b84ca9a120dffb0a29213&start=2659&end=3277","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2898493-dd36e522a60b84ca9a120dffb0a29213/thumbnail_2659000.jpg","/articles/6611275/Pennsylvania/Dauphin-County-planning-commissioners-oppose-Washington-Township-change-that-would-restrict-solar-to-industrial-zones","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611275-00d3f4f1a811cc0a5a80b52f88ad2b06/orig.mp4?Expires=1770822432&Signature=UTPfiOtror2DS8FkleO5j-iIleJ-p5ZoUR~iyAyJMWPZ~nF914l8d66-NNY17BHBC5BSVXub4Mp3F9IVJ7IB~b6N8bTZUkGd5FdCH1NRkoHzx931xzLpnC6Z-jGT-szPg6lVobqNyLSCEc152FZ7kQlmxE9Yr5aJcuc3eyXM4lb5Jj-FpAcamg6mrq0vUBwRDNG722AHGW-Tiz3JI46qx-oSqU7hMe0GumSElhM3Q-tim0E4mlv64RxWl3wyFqzeRWEDGj4JP0YKOFf8ewM~UFu9YeinYThUh82XY6sTJyD~TapWGWBjWc~ZWl5nw3mMdnDF9jXoK6Qu1U8ZzTG0Gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dauphin County Planning Commission voted to oppose a Washington Township zoning amendment that would remove allowance for ground‑mounted solar in agricultural districts and limit solar development to an industrial zoning district.

Commissioner John Kirschner moved that the commission not support the township change; Mary Geiske seconded and the motion carried by voice vote. Staff said it would draft and send the commission’s comment letter to the township.

Why it matters: Commission members said restricting solar to an industrial district could block a low‑impact income option for agricultural landowners. Kirschner said he had “a little heartburn” with the proposed change, arguing it would take “away a viable income opportunity for them without having to sell the ground.” The commission’s comment, as approved, asks Washington Township to reconsider whether excluding agricultural zones from siting solar is appropriate.

What the commission said and did: Planning staff framed the issue under the Municipalities Planning Code review process that requires counties to review proposed ordinance changes. Commissioners discussed the policy tradeoffs: reining in solar in agricultural zones versus allowing farmers flexibility to host solar arrays. The staff explained the commission’s role is advisory; the township retains final authority.

Next steps: Staff will finalize the wording of the commission’s letter to Washington Township and send it as the county’s official comment on the proposed zoning change. The township will consider the change through its local public‑hearing and adoption process under the Municipalities Planning Code.

Ending: The commission did not take further action beyond instructing staff to transmit the opposition letter and related comments to Washington Township.","The Dauphin County Planning Commission voted to oppose a Washington Township zoning amendment that would remove the ability to place solar in agricultural districts and instead allow it only in an industrial zone; commissioners asked staff to send a letter explaining their concern about limiting farmer income options.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Tri‑County staff updates: Silver Ride Home vouchers, 2050 regional transportation plan, bike share and stormwater REP work

Dauphin County Planning Commission approves 13 subdivision and land‑development reviews, ratifies staff comments

Dauphin County planning commissioners oppose Washington Township change that would restrict solar to industrial zones