Douglass Township Planning Agency recommends zoning ordinance draft to supervisors, approves Holly Road sewage module and notes Yoder Farm added to ASA

Douglass Township Planning Agency members on June 12 recommended a draft update to the township zoning ordinance to the Board of Supervisors, voted to recommend approval of the Holly Road subdivision sewage module, and recorded a resolution adding Yoder Farm to the township’s Agricultural Security Area (ASA).

The meeting, called to order at 7:00 p.m., included seven Agency members and staff. Manager Andrew Duncan said a zoning-ordinance open house held from 6:00 to about 7:00 p.m. earlier that evening drew roughly 12 residents who asked questions about proposed changes. Following discussion, Ms. Kim Stouch moved and Ms. Jessica Gisinger-Doran seconded a recommendation that the Board of Supervisors review and consider the draft zoning ordinance; the motion passed on a recorded vote with the members present voting aye.

The Agency also considered the Holly Road Subdivision sewage module. Mr. Duncan reported that the sewage module and its components had been approved by BMMA and that the Planning Agency’s recommendation was a formality. The Agency voted to recommend approval of the sewage module (motion by Mr. Ed Reitz, second by Mr. Mike Heydt). Vote: Joe Richardson—Aye; Charles Rick—Aye; Mike Heydt—Aye; Ed Reitz—Aye; Sara Carpenter—Recused; Kim Stouch—Aye; Jessica Gisinger-Doran—Aye. The motion passed.

On the 115 W. Moyer Road sewer plan, Mr. Duncan said the BMMA board approved the sewer plan at its May 27, 2025 meeting, that the plan met applicable criteria, and that sewer and easement agreements were approved by the BMMA Board of Standards. (BMMA is referenced in the meeting minutes as the reviewing authority.)

The Agency’s agenda package and minutes also recorded zoning-hearing outcomes for two private properties: variances were reported as granted, with conditions, for 801 Clover Lane (Ricci) related to accessory building coverage and rear-yard setback for an inground pool, and for 15 Huntsville Drive (Lehr) for accessory building coverage for an inground pool.

In an agricultural land update, the minutes note a resolution was adopted to include Yoder Farm—described in the minutes as 134.31 acres located on Paper Mill, Lone Pine and Henry Roads—within an Agricultural Security Area; the minutes further state Douglass Township now has 3,057 acres enrolled in ASAs, the largest total in Montgomery County.

Staff and members reviewed outstanding subdivision deadlines and plan statuses for Holly Road, 650 Englesville Road (Madison Walk), 749 Congo Road and 115 W. Moyer Road. Member Mike Heydt raised a question about inconsistent on-street parking placement between phases of the Stafy development; Manager Duncan and Mr. Greg Kerr of Pennoni Engineering said they would confirm the expiration date of an 18-month maintenance agreement (expected around the end of June) and check the street-parking plan.

No public comments were offered during the meeting. A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Heydt, seconded by Ms. Stouch, and the Agency adjourned at 7:17 p.m. The next Planning Agency meeting is scheduled for July 10, 2025, at 7 p.m.

(Reporting note: statements and votes are taken from the Planning Agency minutes as recorded in the meeting transcript.)