The Perry County Planning Commission on the October agenda approved a series of land-development waivers and plans and handled routine business, while tabling one borough application to allow more documentation.

The commission voted to grant the waivers requested by applicants for multiple land-development plans, including the Fisher plan for a 60-acre property in Jackson Township. Tom Broppensberger, speaking for the Fisher submission, described the proposal as a second residence (in-law quarters) on the existing lot and said the applicants would supply outstanding waiver documentation. "This is a 60 acre lot... they're gonna be able to 20 by 60 building out along the road," Broppensberger said while reviewing the plan and map materials.

Staff noted the second home triggers land-development review because an existing house is on the property and listed several technical comments to be resolved, including a signed sewage planning module and the display of well isolation distances. Commission staff said the proposed earth disturbance for the Fisher house is under an acre (0.68 acres) and that, pending the applicant’s responses, the commission historically grants some modifications for disturbances under that threshold.

After discussion, the commission moved to grant the requested waivers for the Fisher plan "subject to the receipt of the written request," and then approved the plan subject to two conditions: (1) staff must receive the DEP sewage-facilities planning module approval letter; and (2) plan note 10 must be amended to identify the westernmost existing barn that is located within the setback. The motions were put and approved with recorded "aye" votes.

The commission also considered a Lancaster property plan that adds a roughly 2-acre lot to an existing campground. Tom Broppensberger said DEP has approved the sand-mound design and the backup area for the septic system, and the commission granted the waivers listed on that plan and approved it following those confirmations.

Commissioners accepted a verbal withdrawal of a separate plan that had combined multiple parcels in error, contingent on a written withdrawal sent to the commission. The commission also handled routine business: approval of the August minutes, payment of expenses ($1,390), and the treasurer’s report.

On a different agenda item, staff presented a New Buffalo Borough land-division application that raised access and permitting questions. PennDOT told staff that Front Street lies within the department’s legal right-of-way and that the borough may control driveway permitting so long as new connections are not detrimental to the roadway. The borough asked the applicant to provide a Highway Occupancy Permit (HOP) from PennDOT, a base flood elevation certificate, and a connection inspection for the sewer line; the commission moved to table that application to allow the applicant and borough to supply the requested documentation.

Next steps recorded at the meeting included: applicants supplying signed DEP sewage-module approval letters and written waiver requests to staff, staff relaying borough/PennDOT comments to applicants, and the commission receiving the written withdrawal for the plan that was verbally withdrawn at the meeting.

Votes at a glance:
- Approval of August 20 minutes — passed (recorded "aye").
- Grant waivers for Fisher plan — passed (motion recorded; "aye").
- Approve Fisher plan — passed, subject to DEP sewage-module approval letter and amended plan note 10.
- Grant waivers and approve Lancaster/campground plan — passed (DEP approval noted).
- Accept plan withdrawal (contingent on written confirmation) — passed.
- Table New Buffalo Borough land-division (access/HOP/flood documentation) — passed.

The commission closed routine business and outlined follow-up items; the meeting moved on to communications and policy updates after the votes.