A public hearing was held prior to the Cumberland Township Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday to approve the amendment of various sections of Chapter 27 of the Cumberland Township zoning ordinance.
The amendment creates two new overlay districts, consisting of a Neighborhood Multi-Family Overlay Zone and a Mixed Multi-Family Overlay Zones which proscribe criteria for single-family attached and multi-family attached structures within such overlays.
In addition, criteria for Mixed-Use (MX) are established by the amendment. Overlays addressed were specific to the Greenmount, Biglerville Road, and Chambersburg Road zones. Township residents provided public comments during the hearing.
At the regular Board of Supervisors meeting following the hearing, the Board unanimously approved the Amendment.
Detailed information on the amendment can be found here: Hearing Announcement – Zoning Amendment. The full text of Cumberland Township Zoning Ordinances can be found here: Cumberland Township Chapter 27 Zoning.
Representative John Joyce visits
Township executives met with Representative John Joyce on Aug. 2, to discuss the township’s plans to grow and expand in coming years. Representative Joyce toured the police station and township facilities, met with members of the Police Department to discuss the current challenges in responding to mental health calls, and was briefed on the police department’s new mental health co-responder program.
Police Report
Chief Matthew Trostel reported on the police department’s activities during the preceding month and gave updates on department staff training as well as positive communications received commending his staff and the department for exemplary handling of various incidents.
The TRAFCON Radar Speed Trailer that was purchased from funds donated by the community is now in use and its first station was at the James Getty school zone for the first day of school. Trostel thanked the township community for making this purchase possible, as the unit was fully funded by donations from township citizens.
Local Businessman Dave Sites made a $2,500 donation to the Police Department to match funds for the department’s donation line items. Trostel reported that the department plans to use this donation toward obtaining heavy rifle plate carriers for each officer. The Police Department also received a donation of 12 Individual First Aid Kits from local business Adams Electric. The IFAKs will be issued to each officer for placement on their heavy vests.
Sergeant Steve Higgs gave a report on the police department’s involvement in Gettysburg’s 2023 Bike Week and discussed his role as coordinator for the Center for Traffic Safety for Adams County.
The Township Engineer’s agenda items included motions to approve the Adams Electric Lot 3 Final Subdivision & Consolidation Plan, an extension request for review of the Thomas & Joanne Clowney land development plans, and a request from the Adams County Historical Society for release of financial security. All motions were approved.
Active Business discussions included the approval of 2024 minimum municipal obligations (e.g., police retirement funding) and a special event permit for the Battlefield Blast Soccer Tournament. Both motions were approved. Mr. Michael Knefley, representing the Interchange Self Storage Shed Project addressed the board to discuss the recreation fees associated with the project. At this time, the Board took no action regarding this subject.
The Finance Committee approved the purchase of vests for the police department which will be funded with donations, as well as other financial motions. Representatives from the GMS Funding Solutions Consulting Firm made a presentation to the Board, requesting approval to enter into a consulting services agreement with the Township.
The Personnel Committee ratified a conditional employment offer to Timothy Mayer for the Cumberland Township Police Department.
E-Cycling Event: The board reminded community members of the upcoming E-Cycling event on September 16, 2023, from 8 am to 12 pm, at the Cumberland Township Municipal Building, 1370 Fairfield Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325. All electronic devices are accepted with a Photo ID and a receipt of your Waste Connections bill. For more information, go to: https://savvycitizenapp.com/o/64489.
Information on other business discussions, including budget and committee reports, can be found in the Regular Board Meeting Agenda: Cumberland Township BOS Meeting Agenda August 22, 2023 and will be available in further detail on the Cumberland Township website, once the minutes of this meeting have been posted: Cumberland Township BOS Meetings 2023.
Featured image caption: Congressman Joyce’s thank you note from his visit to the Cumberland Township.
Donate Gardner is a freelance writer and journalist who came to Gettysburg from Montgomery County, Maryland. A former linguist-turned-legal professional, Donate recently retired and is eager to support her new community in a variety of ways. She currently serves as the news communicator for the Adams County migrant outreach program, Pasa La Voz and supports various pro bono legal services to migrants in the area.
An immigrant born, raised, and educated in Western Europe, Donate uses her multi-lingual background to maintain connection to other cultures, both as a writer, historical researcher and advocate.
Donate is also an active musician, multi-instrumentalist and award-winning songwriter, enjoying the rich music and arts community in Gettysburg, and supporting traveling musicians coming through the area. Donate can be reached at: dvbgardner@gmail.com.
What is a “heavy rifle plate carrier?”
Your link to e-cycling Gettysburg takes you to the Borough’s e-cycling event. It says you have to prove being a Waste Management customer, but we are now Waste Connections customers in Cumberland Township. It is all very confusing, but are we sure this is open for Cumberland Township?
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Apparently, we were provided with an incorrect link. Here is the current information:
E-Cycling Event Next Weekend!
1370 Fairfield Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325, USA
➥ Cumberland Township Municipal Building
Cumberland Township’s E-Cycling Collection Event will occur next Saturday, Sept 16 from 8-10am at the Municipal Building. Please bring a photo ID and copy of your Waste Connections bill.