[{"_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",6639743,"mediaKeyId","3409307-0e49958b0f36f25f4d5856a3a3f281b3","parentId",3409307,"title","Planning commission approves multiple lot consolidations, grants conditional approval for minor plan and notes Penn Forest ordinance update","audioSeconds",1218,"startMs",60791,"endMs",1279554,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409307-0e49958b0f36f25f4d5856a3a3f281b3&start=60&end=1279","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409307-0e49958b0f36f25f4d5856a3a3f281b3/thumbnail_60791.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6639743/Carbon-County/Pennsylvania/Planning-commission-approves-multiple-lot-consolidations-grants-conditional-approval-for-minor-plan-and-notes-Penn-Forest-ordinance-update","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639743-d3284e476777e76efd26a9260a72c278/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021919&Signature=eT-Sgj3BJRpbGXCZ6jxA9Y6pNF~1nsM81B29f5UHd6of0RHaVRt8AbUgxvoz-8r2i7B7kAON2KvaUKGYDMFxM297JcyguLF6CT06X3yBUwIMmpwP0uwTEfQ9QqQ~hlAqeWbbuc3iYLUrDCgfiJvwH87606TRgf2qEdWL0DPmpfFCoa9MsJ2Q1I6c2T-rS1HHOrN2T~IKMjcC1TbpYJblFI9wDcnIZOIjSc0hwjW7k8MbZ-JeOIVIwlhW2n7VKqWufa9ss~pU16bVBy7HTWXfomYfRGdXQrI4beRiLezg4TYRTD6Xl9RLmzTskA6De41644-ziHNLULNItz5Yfy4NMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Carbon County, PA","date","2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","article","The Carbon County Planning Commission approved a series of routine subdivision and lot‑line consolidation items and recommended comments on larger reviews be forwarded to the relevant townships.

The commission approved Pacnati Enterprises’ subdivision in Bank Township to combine two tax parcels into a single 1.453‑acre tract; staff said the proposal conforms to Bank Township subdivision and zoning requirements and recommended approval. The commission also approved a lot consolidation on an 81 Johnson Lane parcel in Toromancy Trails as a conditional plan. County staff advised the plan was missing the surveyor seal and certification of ownership and lacked a signed authorization for township staff and consultants to inspect the premises; the commission’s action granted conditional approval pending completion of those items.

Commissioners also approved a 27.77‑acre lot consolidation at the former golf course in Pocono Mountain (Keir Township) after staff said the submission conformed to minor final plan requirements. Several of the minor subdivision matters were handled out of the published order because the applicants’ proposals were straightforward.

The county’s planning staff reported on a right‑to‑know/map request for two parcels in East Penn Township — one at 232 Lochner Road for which no survey or zoning records were found, and another at 1716 West Lizard Creek Road that contains historical plan files dating to 2011 and did not advance beyond preliminary review at that time.

Staff also reviewed a marked‑up version of the Penn Forest Township subdivision and land‑development ordinance sent by a township official. County staff noted that Penn Forest had removed a prior requirement to show trees greater than 8‑inch caliper on plans after repeated waiver requests from applicants; staff said they had no further comments.

Actions recorded at the meeting included approval of minutes from the April 15 meeting, multiple motions to approve subdivision items, a motion to change the agenda order to handle straightforward items first, and a motion to forward county review comments to Mahoning Township on a larger land‑development plan.

Provenance: minutes approval, staff presentations and motions for the subdivision items and conditional approvals.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission Meeting 5-20-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Carbon County Planning Commission approved several subdivision and lot consolidation items, granted conditional approval for a minor plan on Johnson Lane pending survey and certification items, and noted a Penn Forest Township ordinance amendment removing an 8‑inch tree requirement.","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},6639748,"Planning commission recommends county comprehensive plan and Greenway Trails Open Space Plan for commissioners’ consideration",1318,1482725,2800920,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409307-0e49958b0f36f25f4d5856a3a3f281b3&start=1482&end=2800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409307-0e49958b0f36f25f4d5856a3a3f281b3/thumbnail_1482725.jpg","/articles/6639748/Carbon-County/Pennsylvania/Planning-commission-recommends-county-comprehensive-plan-and-Greenway-Trails-Open-Space-Plan-for-commissioners-consideration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639748-fb6032e29e59cd29fd2970ec96be82d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021919&Signature=ZbiMv~sfJc72RQXupkW6G0mxGUb3Ex3iywvAzVMJmU0MUbRON-1J3bN9C78LOeXLN4q4Fw-JlSGiKbWEeN6x8taWNEMMlrW~CO-wWtdyvLpNvRq6XGECOl85xfQ6jlr8px8WJwH0FmGvOr67C~ccMoDS72fn3L1HBxobnikLnQsDRQ3hGzxIABXuLM72al1IuIT~YSu3544APEZxfog2y9WFqYOO9TvkEhUUk08~utMS8cSt9PDn8S5CTrPDyYxwBOJoeL4UG4jI05eicftcp5bsIAxcVDBQIY53O8e15bFmqpo529PWjvtxVCEQvzhU69t72GNvshzc6D800pn6pA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tim Stopp, project manager for the county’s comprehensive plan and Greenway Trails Open Space Plan, told the Carbon County Planning Commission the drafts are posted for a 45‑day public review and that representatives from DCED and DCNR provided grant support for both efforts.

Stopp said both documents were developed with a steering committee and public outreach events, and that the proposals focus implementation on a smaller set of priorities rather than an extensive laundry list. “This is truly your document. We were just the facilitator of the process,” Stopp said, describing the role of the consultant and steering committee in shaping goals and implementation steps.

Why it matters: The drafts identify four primary themes for the comprehensive plan — housing, outdoor economy, infrastructure and creating places — and outline implementation tables, pilot projects and potential funding sources. The Greenway Trails Open Space Plan recommends trail connections, conservation of greenways and farmland preservation, cultural site recognition and recreation‑driven economic development. Both plans include short‑term actions such as model short‑term‑rental ordinance language for municipalities and grant/loan opportunity indexes to help with implementation.

Stopp walked commissioners through key findings from public engagement: demographic and housing pressures from regional commuting and second‑home ownership; limited and aging infrastructure in some areas; childcare costs that can consume a substantial share of household income; and an observed pattern where many park and trail users are county residents rather than out‑of‑county tourists.

Stopp said both grants supporting the work sunset in June and that commissioners will need to notify DCED and DCNR if the county requires an extension. He also recommended regional collaboration among neighboring municipalities to better align land‑use capacity with infrastructure availability.

After questions from the commission about small closures in the plan’s appendices (for example, listings of annual fairs and stations that are no longer active), the Planning Commission voted to recommend that the county commissioners consider adoption of the two draft plans at their June meeting.

Provenance: consultant presentation starting at the meeting and the commission’s recommendation vote.","Consultant Tim Stopp presented draft comprehensive and Greenway Trails Open Space plans and the planning commission voted to recommend that the board of county commissioners consider adoption; both plans are in a public‑review period and rely on DCED and DCNR grants.",{"_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},6639753,"County planners flag major engineering, permitting gaps in Willow Enterprises solar park plan",828,341635,1169970,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409307-0e49958b0f36f25f4d5856a3a3f281b3&start=341&end=1169","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409307-0e49958b0f36f25f4d5856a3a3f281b3/thumbnail_341635.jpg","/articles/6639753/Carbon-County/Pennsylvania/County-planners-flag-major-engineering-permitting-gaps-in-Willow-Enterprises-solar-park-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639753-92638409101141b40acac5715c395fa7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021919&Signature=mkuADBTLyoF1in53JLrZBtwtMUqdxTCX53PzplSfnEb6HBssnGjwzc6R-TGn9~hAGy4RVWPlnQfWgxMJqD90qL~3V7hHsciTe3T87XodiEAiYBce6RxqK03a5fz7-6J2h08thebo47VuRjCE72LJb6rYq41ekG~er3R0mSH7bNk7yae7gUBwyHDoeK9NCZeNcHmEuF-nYnXUL9LudQESYhNnq2OHorX6nKyzOJjJtOCnQ9XQOBGEe3ffEgwV5Om2glPWz1UUlgdYy4SYYJQPVdoIco3dMPeC7w~LhyaYFBV1vJRK1sW3LNRM~JGqMM2MJoX2AMAhVpD-l3p6pCpcfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carbon County planning staff told the county Planning Commission that a proposed commercial solar energy facility by Willow Enterprises in Mahoning Township has several substantive engineering, permitting and site‑design deficiencies that preclude recommending approval at this time.

The project applicant proposes development of about 10.08 acres for a ground‑mounted solar array. The county review noted wetlands and that “portions of the proposed land development and access driveway . . . are located within the hundred year flood plain as established by FEMA flood insurance mapping.” Staff also reported that the plan shows 5,400 panels on the submitted drawings but that the applicant told Mahoning Township supervisors in testimony the eventual number could be “approximately 5,800 to 5,900.”

Ivan, a county planning staff member who presented the review, said the submission lacks multiple required items, including a complete current perimeter survey with bearings and distances, a stormwater management and soil‑erosion control plan, a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES/PDES) permit application for construction‑related stormwater, and certification of ownership and surveyor seals on the plan. “If the above noted conditions cannot be adequately addressed or adequately mitigated before preliminary plan approval, we recommend plan rejection of the project as proposed,” Ivan said.

Why it matters: The county review ties the missing materials to public‑safety and resource concerns. Staff flagged potential impacts to Mahoning Creek — described in the review as a high‑quality cold water fishery — and said applicants must show how runoff from panels will be dissipated and will not concentrate beneath arrays or drain into adjacent parcels. The report also called for evidence that adequate water for firefighting can be supplied and asked the applicant to show how emergency and maintenance vehicles would access arrays across steep slopes and near the creek.

The review raised additional logistical and infrastructure questions: access to the site is proposed via an easement over a bus company property from Ashtown Road; plan reviewers asked for a construction traffic routing and bridge/road use plan and warned that a single‑lane stone bridge and Ashdown/Ashtown Road segments may be vulnerable to heavy construction vehicles. Staff also asked for clarification of the underground electrical conduit route to the existing PPL pole and for minimum sight‑distance and driveway cross‑sections at the site entrance.

The county review recommended the Mahoning Township supervisors condition any preliminary approval on receipt of a complete set of the missing submissions, including approval of erosion and sedimentation controls by the Carbon County Conservation District and PADEP, and on resolving floodplain and access concerns. Ivan specifically noted the township’s ordinances and Pennsylvanian permitting rules that require preliminary plan conditions to be satisfied before a final plan can be approved.

At the end of the exchange the Planning Commission voted to forward the county review comments to Mahoning Township for use in the township’s review and decisions.

What remains open: The review lists multiple items that must be provided before final approval — a completed stormwater and erosion plan, NPDES/PDES permitting, complete survey bearings and distances, a transportation/trucking plan and any required road bond, FEMA floodplain coordination, confirmation of panel counts and transformer details, and evidence that firefighting and emergency access needs can be met. The applicant and surveyor will need to respond to those items before a county recommendation of approval is possible.

Provenance: County planning staff presentation of the Mahoning Township land development review and the commission motion to forward comments.","The Carbon County planning staff identified multiple missing permits, floodplain and stormwater concerns, and access and firefighting issues in a review of a proposed 10-acre commercial solar facility in Mahoning Township; the commission voted to forward the county review comments to the township.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission approves multiple lot consolidations, grants conditional approval for minor plan and notes Penn Forest ordinance update

Planning commission recommends county comprehensive plan and Greenway Trails Open Space Plan for commissioners’ consideration

County planners flag major engineering, permitting gaps in Willow Enterprises solar park plan