Crawford County commissioners table proposed countywide subdivision and land development ordinance after notification concerns

The Crawford County Board of Commissioners voted to table consideration of the proposed 2024 Crawford County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance after several commissioners and municipal representatives said some townships and boroughs had not received notice and requested more opportunity for input.

The delay came after more than an hour of public comments and exchanges between commissioners and planning officials about the ordinance's scope and how municipalities were notified. Jessica Hilbert, chair of the Crawford County Planning Commission, urged adoption while stressing the planning commission's work: "Common sense government with consistent and clear rules that both encourage investment in our county and protect the character of the community our residents choose to live in is important." She also said adoption would not be immediate: "this 1 wouldn't take effect for 6 months even if adopted today."

Why it matters: The ordinance is intended to provide a countywide framework for subdivision and land development review and to serve as a resource for municipalities that do not maintain their own subdivision and land development ordinances. Supporters said the county document offers technical expertise and consistent standards; opponents and some municipal officials said they either were not notified or wanted additional opportunities to review details including public-safety and solar setback provisions.

What happened: The item was introduced as a request for adoption of the 2024 Crawford County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. During discussion, Commissioner Shell moved to table the matter, citing conversations with multiple municipalities who said they had not been notified. Shell said the certified-mail route would be used to confirm receipt and that commissioners would personally deliver notices where necessary so local officials could sign for them. Commissioner Seeley (surname as stated in the meeting) opposed tabling, saying the planning commission had conducted public hearings that were "well advertised" and describing the commission's work as "Herculean." The motion to table received a roll call and was placed on the record as the commissioners' chosen next step.

Substantive concerns raised: Public commenters and officials highlighted several topics they said should be clarified or emphasized in the ordinance: - Municipal capacity and notification: Multiple speakers said small municipalities sometimes do not pass information from county staff to local supervisors and requested direct notice and additional opportunities for local input. - Public safety and emergency access: Commissioners and commenters cited examples of subdivisions where emergency responders had difficulty locating addresses. - Solar and energy development: Several speakers urged tighter regulation of utility-scale solar and wind, with differing setback proposals referenced during the meeting (one speaker suggested a 20-foot minimum from property lines for homeowner safety; other participants referenced much larger setbacks discussed elsewhere). - Local control: Jessica Hilbert and others stressed that the county ordinance would not override locally enacted municipal ordinances and that municipalities could adopt their own if they preferred.

Next steps and timeline: Commissioners who supported additional outreach said the ordinance could be reconsidered after the county sends certified notices and holds further meetings to gather municipal input. Supporters and planning staff also said the ordinance, if adopted, would include standard public-notice and amendment processes and that a six-month implementation delay is typical.

Voices on the record: Jessica Hilbert, chair, Crawford County Planning Commission; Stephanie Thayer, Venango Township resident and small vegetable farmer; John Harmley, Meadville resident; Calvin Ernst, resident; Scott Scholander, Meadville resident and former planning commission member; Tim Russell, zoning and code enforcement officer, City of Titusville; Commissioner Shell (Crawford County Board of Commissioners); Commissioner Seeley (Crawford County Board of Commissioners).

The board moved on to other items after tabling the ordinance; commissioners said they plan targeted outreach to municipalities before bringing the item back for a vote.