After months of debate and discussion, Carroll Valley passed Ordinance 3-23 regarding trailers at Tuesday’s borough council meeting. Nicknamed the “trailer ordinance,” at issue was the number of trailers that could be parked on a lot and the definition of trailered vehicles versus self-powered recreational vehicles.
Section 201 covers the parking and storage of recreational vehicles, boats, and travel trailers. The ordinance also modifies the definition of no-impact home-based businesses regarding the storage or staging of commercial products, materials, or equipment in excess of those normally associated with residential use.
According to the new ordinance, residents may park three travel trailers, boats, and trailers on their property if no portion of the vehicle is located within any public right-of-way on or above any public sidewalk or easement or within building setback distances as specified in the respective zoning district. A fourth may be permitted if the lot is equal to or larger than two acres. All areas must be kept trimmed and trash free and prevent the leakage of fuels or lubricants. Vehicle registration and inspection should be kept up to date.
“Well, since I was the one that was so adamantly opposed to this increase in number of trailers, I will say this much. I will be voting ‘yes’ because this requires full compliance with the provisions in Section 1405, which are an improvement over where we were,” Council President Richard Mathews said.
Council member John Schuber added, “We batted this around for a long time. I’m very happy to get to this point and have some kind of peace within the community on this issue.” Borough manager David Hazlett was charged with enforcing the new ordinance.
In other board business, Carroll Valley has acquired a lot on Crestview Trail bequeathed by a Maryland resident. Hazlett advised the council to consider approving the lot donation. “It looks like a decent lot and may have resale value,” he said, adding that it was near the sewer extension and would require little expense in providing a roadway.
Council member Dave Lillard agreed.”Somebody’s donating us a lot, and it looks like it has some resale value. So, I’d say, ‘Let’s go for it.’”
Council member Bruce Carr said he opposed acquiring another lot because they tend to be like heirlooms – things of little value that are difficult to dispose of. The council voted to approve the donation of the lot, with only Carr dissenting.
Hazlett said the office had been inundated by people asking to buy lots and hoped the council could discuss this issue at the August meeting. June’s meeting raised the topic of selling some of the borough’s undeveloped lots.
Mathews said that the borough is updating the information on undeveloped lots in the area and is only considering selling five or six if it is feasible. He said Carroll Valley needs a process and that selling any lots would have to be done selectively.
Hazlett told the council he was working on the process. “I’m in the final stages of how it’s sold. I’m good with the evaluation process.” He added that the current issue is: “Do we use an auctioneer, do we use a real estate agent, or do we try to do it ourselves? That’s the last piece of it.”
Recently, the borough had to pay about $3,700 in back taxes on five lots to keep them from being included in the county’s fall upset tax sale that auctions off properties that have defaulted on taxes. It could cost the borough additional expenses.
Hazlett said the back taxes had been paid under protest, and the borough seeks to be reimbursed when the matter of the properties’ tax-exempt status is determined.
The borough and county conflict seems to be more procedural than legal, said borough solicitor Stephen Corccorese. The borough has been encouraged to file an appeal and has done so.
County manager Steve Nevada said that municipalities often believe that the lots they own are tax-exempt because they are tax-exempt. That’s not the case, he explained. The property must be used for public service.
“The statute says municipalities are tax exempt. The county says you have to come out and prove it,” said Mathews. “We should have filed the application for exempt status,” he added and said that they would do that in the future, including the lot just acquired.
Mathews said Carroll Valley is updating the information on unsold lots, many of which are used for passive recreation such as bird watching or hiking. Other uses include erosion control, stormwater management, wetland and floodplain protection, drainage, and as a possible sight for a water tower in the future. “We are not in the business of selling lots,” he added.
The Chicken Coop
Adam and Katlyn Colson are a young couple who recently moved to Carroll Valley. They asked the borough for permission to keep the chicken coop they have built in the front of their house because there is no room in the backyard as the ordinance dictates. Colson said she spoke with neighbors to ensure they were okay with the coop, designed to match their house and garage, and its location. It sits behind a large garden, and the entire area is fenced.
After making the request, five of the couples’ neighbors spoke to the council, asking that they be allowed to keep the coop, described as attractive, thoughtfully constructed, and imposing no nuisance. The couple owns eight chickens, which are apparently very friendly, according to the neighbors’ testimony.
Lillard asked what the process would be to grant an exception to the couple. “We can’t consider it tonight because it was not on tonight’s agenda, Mathews explained. Hazlett added that the process now is to consider the request and make a decision. “If you want to give them a relaxation of the rules, that’s within your purview as Borough Council.”
The matter will be heard at August’s meeting, and in the meantime, Mathews suggested that all council members go by the home and see the enclosure.
“I just have one thing to say,” said Carr. “Katlyn and Adam, it’s just a shame you weren’t here a year ago when we worked on this ordinance. It was more fun than you should have in half a day.
Hazlett also had something to say about the seven-page chicken document. “I broke my own rule. I’m still sitting here, and I swore I wouldn’t be sitting here with a chicken conversation going on,” bringing a burst of laughter from the attendees.
The next council borough meeting is scheduled for August 15 at 7:00 p.m.
Featured image caption: Carroll Valley residents Katlyn and Adam Colson ask for a special exception to the chicken ordinance at Tuesday”s meeting.
Judith Cameron Seniura is a freelance reporter. She began her journalism career in the early ‘70s and has written for newspapers, magazines, and other media in Ontario, Canada, Alaska, Michigan, Nebraska, San Antonio, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
Good reporting