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Salem planning commission tables Schlemmer wedding-venue land-development plan over parking, setback and permitting gaps
Summary
A proposed wedding venue for up to 250 people was tabled Jan. 7 after the commission identified multiple plan deficiencies including parking encroachment across parcels, missing professional certifications, insufficient parking and loading details, stormwater approvals and water/sewage verification.
The Salem Township Planning Commission voted to table the Schlemmer Land Development application for a proposed wedding venue after staff and members identified several substantive deficiencies and unresolved issues.
Applicant Bob Schlemmer, represented by Cenkner Engineering (John Cenkner and Jason Beranek), said the facility would hold 250 people. Commission discussion raised concerns that the proposed parking lot encroached into an adjacent parcel and that the plans used inconsistent sheet locations for required information. Engineer John Cenkner estimated parking demand at roughly 133 spaces based on two attendees per vehicle plus employees, and noted four ADA spaces would be provided. Jason Beranek said the project title incorrectly labeled the plan and pushed back that the phrase on the sheet was only "four letters in front of Land Development" when asked about plan labeling.
Solicitor Ryan Thomas reviewed the Agricultural Security Area statutes (3 P.S. §§ 901–915) and advised that the Agricultural Security Area designation itself does not prohibit the proposed development; however, easements or Clean & Green participation could impose additional restrictions and were not shown on the plans. Township staff enumerated required plan revisions and permits: a revised Title Sheet with engineer certification and license number; correction of owner certification; site plan showing exterior tract boundaries prepared by a Professional Land Surveyor; setbacks of 40 feet off US Route 22, 30 feet off Hornock Road and 15-foot side and rear setbacks; explicit labeling of the public water line and a MAWC verification letter; Township Engineer approval of the Stormwater Management Plan; WCCD erosion-and-sediment control and NPDES approvals; Sewage Facilities Planning Component 2 approval (note: SEO, Township and DEP approval indicated as received in the file, but additional confirmations were requested); and clearer off-street parking and loading calculations per the SALDO (spaces must be 9' x 20', aisle widths, loading locations and sizes).
The commission voted unanimously to table the plan and recommended the applicant supply corrected, consolidated plans and the outstanding permit and verification documents before resubmission.
