Proposed 250‑person wedding venue in Salem Township flagged for major plan revisions and tabled

The Salem Township Planning Commission on Jan. 7 accepted a land‑development application from property owner Bob Schlemmer to construct a wedding venue designed to hold about 250 people, but tabled formal action after identifying substantial technical and regulatory deficiencies.

Schlemmer and Cenkner Engineering representatives presented plans covering four tax parcels. Commissioners and the township engineer said the drawings call the submission a "PCSM Land Development" rather than a separate Land Development plan and lack a clear depiction of exterior tract boundaries prepared by a professional land surveyor. The commission noted the proposed parking lot appears to extend onto an adjacent parcel and that parking calculations, stall dimensions, row widths and internal circulation need to be clearly labeled; engineers estimated roughly 133 parking spaces would be required at two occupants per vehicle plus employees, with four ADA spaces planned. The commission emphasized that no parking may extend into required setback areas and suggested options including lot consolidation or a side‑lot addition to eliminate encroachment.

Township Solicitor Ryan Thomas advised the parcel lies within an Agricultural Security Area but concluded the designation alone does not prohibit the proposed development under the Agricultural Area Security Law (3 P.S. §§ 901‑915); he cautioned that separate conservation easements or Clean and Green participation could impose additional restrictions. The commission listed required approvals and documentation: professional engineer certification and license number on the title sheet; owner certification; revision number and date; general notes amended to reference "Salem"; clearly identified parcel boundaries; 40' front setback from US Route 22 and 30' front setback from Hornock Road; 15' side and rear setbacks; public water labeling and a MAWC verification letter; a driveway permit; right‑of‑way depiction for Route 22 and Hornock Road; complete off‑street parking and loading calculations complying with SALDO dimensions; stormwater management plan approval by the township engineer; Westmoreland County Conservation District erosion and NPDES approvals; and Sewage Facilities Planning Component 2 approval (note: SEO, Township and DEP approval for sewage was noted as having been received). The commission recommended the applicant consider signing a time extension rather than relying on tabling to pause review; the PC may recommend conditional approval on a preliminary plan once corrections and required submissions are made.

Following discussion, the commission voted to table the Schlemmer Land Development Project pending the specified revisions and approvals.