Carbon County planning commission grants conditional approval for three lot plans

At a meeting of the Carbon County Planning Commission (date not specified), commissioners granted conditional plan approval for three separate land‑use plan applications covering a consolidation, a wetlands‑adjacent tract and a lot‑line adjustment.

Planning staff said the approvals were conditional on revisions and additional documentation and that each item met or was brought into conformance with applicable subdivision and zoning requirements as amended or as noted. The three matters drew limited discussion and passed on voice votes.

The most detailed item involved a consolidation described by staff as an L‑shaped lot of about 0.8131 acres that did not meet the subdivision minimum lot size cited by staff — 1.15 acres — under the applicable minor‑subdivision rules. "It means, basically, it's an L shaped lot. It's 0.8131 acres, doesn't conform to minor bridal plan requirements of the Curecatcher Subdivision," the presenter said. Staff told the commission that access would be provided at the front of the combined lot and recommended additional plan approvals; the commission moved for conditional plan approval and recorded affirmative voice votes.

A second item, listed as 633 Franklin Street in Bonestown and described in the staff presentation as a 17‑acre tract (as stated in the meeting record), included wetlands and Fireline Creek crossing the parcel. Staff reported limited on‑site investigations for the proposed Lot 2 and noted wetlands throughout Lot 2 and along the creek. The presenter said the application did not conform to minor plan requirements but that the surveyor had signed the certification. Staff recommended approval and the commission approved the plan by voice vote.

The third matter concerned a lot‑line adjustment in Mahoning Township involving a parcel near the four‑way stop by Norma's Square. Staff said the parcel contains existing residential lots, noted moderate to severe soil conditions in places, and recommended conditional plan approval. The presenter also said a $400 charge for direct fees was required and that the lot is enrolled in the county's green program; the presenter stated, in the meeting record, that under that program the property was "only allowed to subdivide 1 2 acre parcel" and that owners would need to address prior taxes (the presenter said "they have to go back and and pay that back tax 6 years 7%"). The commission approved conditional plan approval by voice vote.

Each approval was presented by planning staff (unnamed in the transcript) and carried after motions and seconds; the recorded responses were "Aye" from commissioners for each motion. No recorded negative votes, abstentions or roll‑call tallies were given in the meeting record.

Commission staff also noted other routine matters during the meeting. Staff said they had drafted a letter of recommendation related to County Bridge Number 18 seeking property for refurbishment in Hill Township; they also summarized larger subdivisions pending before the county, noting one Franklin Township proposal on hold pending DEP review. Staff briefly mentioned PennDOT activity near a covered bridge and raised a zoning question about a proposed solar park and an electronics building in an industrial zone; those items were informational and not before the commission for action at this meeting.

Actions recorded at the meeting were limited to the three conditional plan approvals described above. Staff identified plan corrections, required certifications and fee requirements that must be satisfied before final plan recording or building permits are issued.