Planning commission approves multiple subdivision and land‑development plans, tables one item

The Carbon County Planning Commission approved several subdivision and land‑development plans and granted conditional approvals Tuesday after staff presentations and brief votes.

Commission staff said the proposals met applicable subdivision and zoning rules or had waiver requests staff recommended granting. "I would recommend plan approval," an unidentified planning staff member told the commission on multiple agenda items.

The approvals covered a mix of minor land‑divisions and preliminary plans for residential lots in several townships, including combined‑lot filings and two‑acre rural lots that staff said conform to minimum lot‑size requirements. One parcel review was tabled at the developer's request because the applicant had not decided how to split the lots.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of previous meeting minutes — Motion approved by voice vote. Outcome: approved. - Plan (unnamed applicant; four parcels, mixed M‑1/M‑2 and medium‑density residential) — Staff recommended approval and waivers to zoning section 5024(a)–(e). Motion approved by voice vote. Outcome: approved. - Plan across the street (owner undecided on lot split) — Motion to table for a future meeting. Outcome: tabled. - Thomas McColl final minor subdivision (combining two lots at 23 Fernwood Drive, Section C) — Staff reported the proposal does not conform to minimum lot size requirements but otherwise conforms to minor subdivision rules; plan approval motion passed by voice vote. Outcome: approved. - Blackwood Tract (Jason and Tracy Blackwood; Penn Forest Township, Pleasant Valley West Section F, lots 641–642) — Applicant requested waiver for showing significant trees greater than 8 inches in caliber; staff supported the waiver and recommended conditional plan approval. Motion for conditional approval passed by voice vote. Outcome: conditional approval. - Minor subdivision at 06608 Orange Street, Leighton Borough (R‑2 medium‑density residential) — Two resulting lots fall below the district minimum lot size; staff recommended conditional approval pending addressing plan review comments and deed/closing documents. Motion passed by voice vote. Outcome: conditional approval.

What staff presented and commission action

An unidentified planning staff member led reviews of each submission, describing zoning districts, lot counts, and whether plans met subdivision land‑development ordinance standards. For the item described as four parcels at an intersection in a mixed M‑1/M‑2 and medium‑density residential area, staff said the applicant requested waivers to zoning section 5024(a)–(e) and that "my BB would have no issue with granting those waiver requests" before recommending plan approval. The commission moved and approved the plan by voice vote.

For Thomas McColl’s filing to combine two lots at 23 Fernwood Drive, staff noted the proposal creates a new parcel and that "it conforms the minor bridal plan requirements" and recommended approval; the commission approved the plan by voice vote.

On the Blackwood Tract in Penn Forest Township, staff said the combined lot totals about 2.011 acres and conforms to the R‑1 rural district's two‑acre minimum, but that the plan omitted the surveyor's seal and did not show existing trees greater than 8 inches in diameter. Staff said the applicant requested a waiver for the tree‑showing requirement and recommended conditional approval. The commission approved the conditional plan.

For the Leighton Borough minor subdivision on Orange Street (parcel 06608), staff reported parcel sizes of roughly 0.14 acres with individual lots of about 0.07 acres each and noted both lots do not conform to the minimum lot size for medium‑density residential. Staff referenced a section providing an exception that allows subdividing two‑family dwellings with a common wall and advised that draft deed and closing documents and other engineering comments be addressed before final approval. The commission moved and approved a conditional plan approval.

Other business and reviews

Staff also reviewed Chapter 102 permit documentation submitted for an Eagle Hospital (applicant name given as "Cali LLC" in staff remarks), noting the permit's consistency with the county comprehensive plan and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) requirements and recommending that the commission forward the permit review. Revised submissions from another applicant (tax parcel changes and an applicant name change to Steven Nyack) were noted and recommended for approval by staff.

The commission heard a staff review of a proposed vacation of a portion of Old Forest Street (419) in Tomenson Township. Staff referenced on‑site inspection and the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247 of 1968, as amended) in recommending that the township board of supervisors approve the vacation ordinance.

Staff also reported on an invitation for comment from U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development concerning a transmission improvements project (described by staff as the "Summit Hillsource/Summit Hill Silver Authority USDA Silver Line Project Main Transmission Improvement Request"). Staff said the county review found the project consistent with Carbon County's comprehensive and greenway plans and that the commission's response supports the project. Staff further noted that the USDA would consider comments submitted within 60 days.

Procedure and attendance

Most votes were taken by voice; speakers moved and seconded motions and the presiding member called for ayes and nays. Direct, named roll‑call votes were not recorded in the transcript provided. Public comment or external presenters were limited; the transcript records planning staff as the primary presenter across agenda items.

A closing motion to adjourn carried by voice vote.