Lower Allen commissioners approve Arona subdivision, release development security, fund ordinance rewrite and ok York County easement

Lower Allen Township’s Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on several development and administrative items at its Sept. 23 meeting, approving a final minor subdivision for Arona Neighborhood Phase 9, releasing a developer financial security, authorizing a code-revision contract and approving a temporary construction easement for York County.

The board approved SLD number 2024 D09, the final minor subdivision plan for Arona Neighborhood Phase 9, with conditions to satisfy remaining comments listed in the township review letter (dated Sept. 18, 2024) and the Cumberland County Planning Department letter (Sept. 13, 2024). Director of Community and Economic Development Sweeney described the filing as a procedural split of the Phase 9 tract to facilitate a land purchase while the larger land development plan proceeds through the Planning Commission. The board also took and passed separate motions to waive specific subdivision requirements and to defer sidewalk requirements until a future date; each vote was recorded 5–0.

Commissioner Joe Schwarz moved the motions on the waivers and the final subdivision approval; Vice President Karen seconded, and the board approved each action without recorded dissent. According to the motion language used on the record, waivers addressed sections 19257 B22 and 19257 C13 C1 and one deferral addressed section 19257 C9 (sidewalks).

On a separate development item, the board approved Financial Security Reduction Request No. 2 for SLD 2020-11 (property listed in the meeting materials as Harrell Drive) to release the remaining security balance. Staff reported the stormwater-related public improvements at the site are complete; the motion to release the remaining $9,556.77 and set the balance to zero passed 5–0.

The board also authorized a professional-services scope of work not to exceed $135,000 to revise Chapter 192 (Subdivision and Land Development) and Chapter 220 (Zoning). Officials noted the township received a county grant award of $17,500 toward the effort and has a pending state grant application for $67,500; staff said any shortfall would be addressed in the 2025 budget process if the state grant is not awarded.

After an executive session, the board reconvened and approved the acquisition by York County of a temporary construction easement from Lower Allen Township for rehabilitation of the Sheepford Road bridge and waived the associated $600 fee. That motion also passed 5–0.

The board indicated it will review the full Phase 9 land development plan when it returns from the Planning Commission and reiterated that waivers taken at the minor subdivision stage will be considered again alongside any future land development waivers.

Votes at a glance - Waivers (sections 19257 B22, 19257 C13 C1): Passed, 5–0. - Deferral (section 19257 C9, sidewalks): Passed, 5–0. - Final minor subdivision approval (SLD 2024 D09, Arona Neighborhood Phase 9): Passed with conditions, 5–0. - Financial security release (SLD 2020-11, Harrell Drive): Passed, 5–0; amount released $9,556.77. - Ordinance rewrite scope — professional services up to $135,000: Passed, 5–0; county grant $17,500 awarded, state grant $67,500 pending. - York County temporary construction easement for Sheepford Road bridge (fee waived): Passed, 5–0.

The board’s next step for the Arona property is to consider the full Phase 9 land development plan at an upcoming meeting after Planning Commission review. The township will reflect any grant outcomes and contract costs in the 2025 budget.