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Upper Hanover supervisors debate limits on motorized recreational uses after neighbor noise complaints
Summary
Supervisors discussed proposed amendments to clarify where high‑impact recreational uses (dirt bikes, ATVs, motocross) could operate and how to regulate them, after a resident played a video of a neighbor's dirt bike; no ordinance decision was made and the solicitor will revise the draft for future consideration.
Upper Hanover Township Board of Supervisors discussed proposed zoning amendments on May 12 to clarify where high‑impact recreational uses such as motorbiking, dirt biking, ATV riding and motocross would be permitted.
Township Solicitor Zachary Sivertsen and the Planning Commission have drafted revisions aimed at specifying conditions under which those uses could occur. Solicitor Sivertsen described enforcement considerations and the board discussed whether to focus regulation on noise rather than on numerical vehicle limits.
Resident Linda Kent, who presented a recorded clip of a neighbor operating a dirt bike, said the sound crossed property lines. "It sounded loud and the noise clearly was disturbing beyond the boundaries of the property where the activity was occurring," she said. Neighbor Mr. Syzmanski suggested regulation keyed to the type of road residents live on, noting existing traffic noise differences.
Mr. and Mrs. Wentz, cited in the record as operators of a commercial motocross training track, urged the board to allow families to practice and participate in their sport. Manager Anne W. Klepfer cautioned that enforcing noise violations after normal business hours would be difficult and costly. Solicitor Sivertsen told the board his view that use‑based violations are generally easier to enforce than noise standards.
Board members indicated they were generally willing to consider allowing some high‑impact uses in the R‑1 Agriculture and low‑density residential district without a scaled cap on the number of vehicles, but they did not reach a clear consensus about permitting non‑residential or commercial training operations. No ordinance was adopted at the meeting; Solicitor Sivertsen will continue revising the draft and present it to the board for further consideration.
The board did not set a timeline for final action; the item will return when a revised draft is ready for public notice and formal hearing.
