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Farmers urge board to ease stormwater permitting after months‑long delay for storage building
Summary
Joyce and Gary Hummel told supervisors their application for a 46‑by‑30 farm storage building has been delayed for months and that engineers recommended a French drain that could cost more than the building; zoning and engineering staff explained stormwater rules derive from state and county implementation of federal requirements and said the Hummels may seek a waiver or submit a drainage plan.
Joyce and Gary Hummel addressed the board during public comment on Nov. 11, saying their application for a 46‑by‑30 storage building on their 76‑acre farm — submitted Sept. 27 — has been delayed and that they were told to install a French drain whose cost could exceed the structure itself.
"They told us we needed some type of French drain that would cost more than the building," Joyce Hummel said, recounting conversations with township staff and engineers and expressing frustration at the back‑and‑forth and the expense. The Hummels said they placed a deposit to reserve a builder but cannot proceed without a permit and worry the required stormwater work will take productive land out of service.
Zoning officer Roxann Colfer and interim engineer Mike Muffley told the board that stormwater controls stem from federal regulations implemented through state (Act 167) and county ordinances; as a result, the township requires applicants to submit sketch or grading plans when earth disturbance triggers the stormwater ordinance. Muffley said he advised the Hummels to retain a qualified professional to prepare a plan showing alternatives to the initially suggested approach and that the applicant may pursue a formal waiver under the township ordinance if eligible.
Local engineer Zach Szoke offered to sit down with the Hummels and help prepare the required submission. Board members said they did not want to create an unnecessary burden for productive farms but noted the township must follow state and county stormwater rules. Jerry Pritchard asked whether the board could grant a waiver; Solicitor Backenstoe said he would need to review the ordinance to determine whether a waiver process is available.
The Hummels said they will submit a formal application; the board indicated it could revisit the item if a waiver request or additional materials are filed.
