Commission approves 8‑foot fence for retention pond at Harrisburg Area Community College

The Harrisburg Planning Commission approved a variance allowing an 8‑foot fence around a retention pond on the Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) campus that is used in connection with an adjacent fire‑training facility.

Jeff, planning bureau staff, told the commission that an 8‑foot fence exceeds the six‑foot maximum in the institutional district and therefore requires hearing‑board approval. Staff recommended approval, citing safety and liability concerns for preventing unauthorized access to the pond and noting existing 8‑foot fences on parts of the pond.

Mike Dela Porta, director of construction and real estate for Harrisburg Area Community College, and Kathy Brickner, assistant vice president of facilities and real estate for HACC, explained the college’s safety rationale. Commissioners asked about timing and operational needs; Dela Porta said the college is tightening site security around the fire‑training facility and that the pond is more than 12 feet deep, a fact commissioners flagged as a safety justification.

Commissioner Jordan asked why a short 4‑foot section was requested; Dela Porta said that lower section allows fire‑training staff to drain hoses in parallel during drills and that a taller fence there would interfere with training operations. Staff had recommended full 8‑foot fencing around the pond but acknowledged the operational need for the lower section.

Commissioners expressed support. A motion to approve the variance with conditions passed by voice vote. The approval instructs the applicant to proceed with required documentation and to coordinate design details with staff and the planning bureau. The chair disclosed service on the HACC Foundation but stated this did not create a conflict for the vote.