Cornwall council members make plans, study about future development of the borough
Cornwall Borough Council heard a presentation from landscape architect Karla Farrell, of Karla Schweitzer Farrell and Associates, of York, on the planned process to create a recreation master plan for Cornwall.
The study and plan will focus primarily on the Miners Village recreation area, with 27.5 acres, the Rexmont Goosetown recreation area, with 13.5 acres, and the Snitz Creek Park, with 4.5 acres, as well as an adjoining 14 acres to the park owned by the Cornwall-Lebanon School District. The study will attempt to determine how land areas, the natural environment, and existing facilities can be enhanced and made more functional.
Farrell's firm, contracted by the council, will first study existing conditions of borough recreation areas, then create a steering committee comprised of local residents, do a site analysis and opportunities plan, hold a public meeting, develop two or three alternative plans for each recreation area, and then hold a final meeting to receive comments from the public.
Farrell said the process is expected to take six months and the cost will be $69,840. Councilman Bruce Conrad said the fee will be paid using borough park and recreation funds. He explained the funds are accumulated from fees land developers pay to the borough per each building lot they develop.
If the council approves the final recreation plan, it will submit it with an application to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for a grant to fund recommended recreation improvements.
Warehouse plans prompt need for committee
Much of the well-attended July 11 council meeting was dedicated to addressing the plan revealed by Cornwall Properties to build a huge warehouse on land north of Route 322 and a short distance from Iron Valley Estates. It was decided by the majority of the council to appoint an ad hoc committee to mediate between the interests of the residents of Cornwall and the developer's desire to carry out his plan.
Councilmen Bruce Conrad and John Karinch, planning commission chairman Ray Fratini, Wesley Bensing, Rob Anspach, David Tshudy and Nelson Zimmerman have been chosen to serve on that ad hoc committee.
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Also on the issue:Warehouse, residential development plans being reviewed by Cornwall Planning Commission
Other matters from the meeting
Borough manager Cody Rhoads reported that Steckbeck Engineering and Surveying, engineering consultant to the borough, has been analyzing if the township would be justified in increasing the recreation fee charged to developers. The borough currently receives a fee of $1,250 per lot. By law, the council may not just increase the fee on a whim, it must have justification.
Council president Bruce Harris announced the committee chosen to review and update the borough's comprehensive plan and said the plan is a blueprint for the borough's future. It will address services, land use, traffic and facilities. The committee will make its recommendations for an updated version to the council and planning commission. Greg Roussey, Bob Peterson, Mark Dutchess, Dale Waltman and Ron Lauderman will serve as members.
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A committee was also chosen to design a new process for borough residents to report violations of the zoning ordinance and track those complaints so that they are handled promptly. Stan Alekna, Cathy Jackson, Jay Furlong, and councilman John Karinch will take on that assignment.
The council passed an ordinance that changes the zoning on a 5.197-acre piece of land north of Ironmaster Road and along the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail from "planned development" to "residential institutional." The land is owned by Cornwall Associates LP.