Planning commission recommends final approval of Scherf lot consolidation for single‑family home

The Salem Township Planning Commission on Aug. 6, 2025, voted unanimously to recommend final approval of a lot consolidation proposed by Hunter and Clarissa Scherf that would merge two Westmoreland County parcels to allow construction of a single‑family home. The motion was made by Paul Holleran and seconded by John Durco and passed with all three commissioners present voting in favor.

Commissioners enumerated multiple conditions that must be met before the consolidation can be recorded. The commission required a revised Statement of Purpose reading: "The purpose of this plan is to consolidate Westmoreland County Tax Map Parcel Numbers 57-17-03-0-003 and 57-17-03-0-004 for a single-family home." The board also directed that the applicants request, in writing, a modification from the Board of Supervisors for an exemption from the minimum 30‑foot front building setback under SALDO Section 412(A); if granted, a prescribed note recognizing an original 25‑foot building line must appear on the plan.

Other required corrections and verifications listed by the commission include amending township and Westmoreland County certification language consistent with SALDO Section 502(H)(22); correcting the abutting owner name to "Roncace" for parcel 57-17-03-0-005; showing a Revision Number and Date on the plan; obtaining MAWC verification of water‑tap availability; and requesting a sewage tap from the township with FTMSA verification of available capacity (FTMSA certifies capacity, the commission noted). The motion recommending final approval was explicitly made subject to those conditions and technical edits.

Next steps: the Scherfs must submit the revised plan with the noted edits and the written modification request to the Board of Supervisors where applicable. The commission’s recommendation moves the application forward but does not by itself record the plan or grant any utility taps.