Planning Commission recommends approval of Hurst land‑development plan, with condition

Chairman Tom Zug opened the meeting and the Planning Commission moved quickly to consider the Hurst preliminary/final land development plan (prepared by Diehm & Sons, dated April 28, 2026). Kevin Varner, representing Diehm & Sons, described a roughly 29‑acre tract currently under a Lancaster County Agricultural Preserve Board conservation easement and said the preservation allows “one single‑family dwelling for a family member or employee of the farm.” Varner said the Hursts plan to build a new dwelling and have their daughter occupy the existing farmhouse; the existing driveway will be extended to serve the new house. Varner also noted the site’s shale soils and said the design proposes infiltration of stormwater runoff from the house and part of the driveway; he described the existing driveway as 11 feet wide.

Commissioners asked about compliance with an earlier Conditional Use decision from 1995. Varner said the team had not reviewed the conditional use decision itself but had reviewed prior plans; commissioners agreed that any approval should be conditioned on verification that the current proposal complies with the 1995 decision. The applicant requested a waiver of road improvements, citing that the tract is on a PennDOT roadway, lies in the Agricultural zone, and is permanently preserved through the Agricultural Preserve Board. On a motion by Bob Kornman, seconded by Marianne McConnell, the Commission voted unanimously to recommend the waiver; on a subsequent motion by Jane Windlebleck, seconded by Larry Sheckler, the Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the Hurst plan contingent upon the applicant verifying compliance with the 1995 Conditional Use decision.

The Planning Commission’s recommendation is advisory and will go to the appropriate municipal review process for final action. The record notes the plan’s key quantitative details (approx. 29 acres; driveway width 11 feet) and that the property remains under a Lancaster County Agricultural Preserve Board easement, which limits uses and allowed dwelling rights.