Carbon County planning commission approves multiple minor subdivisions, issues conditional approvals and one tabling

The Carbon County Planning Commission approved several minor subdivision and conditional-plan applications at its monthly meeting, and tabled one application for missing review fees.

Commission staff presented five separate subdivision items and recommended approval or conditional approval in each case. The commission voted to approve the first minor subdivision and to grant conditional plan approval for subsequent applications after staff noted missing survey signatures, incomplete plan details and infrastructure questions, including whether borough sewer hookups had been secured.

The commission’s staff summary said the first item was a minor subdivision that had previously encountered multiple staff comments; the applicant submitted responses and the plan now complies with staff requirements. A motion to approve was moved and seconded and carried with commissioners answering “aye.”

Staff recommended conditional-plan approval for a second application at 07:25 Old State Road for Howard and Susan Bartholomew, citing missing surveyor certifications, ownership certification and omitted natural-feature mapping such as large trees and floodplain indicators. The commission approved conditional plan acceptance pending completion of the listed items.

A multi-lot consolidation proposed by several owners (including parcels described as involving accessory structures and well/water facilities) also received conditional approval from the commission after staff identified omitted contours, soil locations, and signatures. Staff recommended conditional approval so applicants can correct recordation and survey items.

For a property in the watershed proposed by Barry and Regina Genic, staff noted prior review activity two years earlier and local borough rules that restrict single-lot septic systems within a half-mile of the lake. The applicants revised the proposal to two lots with proposed municipal service; staff noted the surveyor had signed the plan and recommended conditional plan approval. Commissioners approved the conditional plan motion after discussion about borough sewer hookup timing.

Commissioners also discussed that, when development disturbs more than one acre, applicants will need an NPDES stormwater permit and a soil-erosion control plan before construction. Multiple items were approved with conditions that outstanding survey certifications, signatures, contour mapping, and documentation of water/sewer service be completed prior to recordation or building permits.

One subdivision application, for Larry D. and Barbara Shackle in Bonastown, was tabled because the applicant had not paid the required review fee. Staff said the application package is administratively incomplete until the outstanding $50 review fee is submitted; the commission voted to table the application until the July meeting or until the fee is received.

The commission recorded no detailed roll-call vote counts in the minutes for these motions; motions were moved, seconded and approved with commissioners saying “aye.”

The planning staff said it will return conditional items for final sign-off once the outstanding documentation is provided.