(7/20) Hamiltonban Township supervisors wish to tighten rules on driveway construction and campgrounds, but first, the public will be given the opportunity to share its thoughts.
The supervisors will hold public hearings beginning at 6:45 p.m., Aug. 1.
Supervisor Coleen Reamer said property owners are constructing driveways in the township without giving concern about water runoff. Reamer said the Adams County Conservation District should be sharing input on every proposed driveway, but there is no legal vehicle for enforcement.
"They were things that needed to be done but they weren’t written in the ordinance," Reamer said.
If enacted as proposed, the Hamiltonban Township driveway ordinance will require property owners to seek township permission before construction. The township roadmaster and engineer will review the plans to ensure they pass muster, Reamer said.
The proposed driveway ordinance also sets rules for temporary roads, such as those used by loggers. Hamiltonban Township is a heavily wooded municipality that includes parts of the Michaux State Forest.
"Every once in a while, we look out and wonder ‘how did that truck get up the mountain,’" Reamer said.
Reamer said temporary driveways constructed for logging will need a permit if the ordinance is passed as proposed. Once the project is complete, property owners will be required to restore the land to its original state.
The township’s rural character is also attractive to campers, Reamer said, and those wishing to profit from their land. Campgrounds are allowed in the township, but supervisors believe the municipality needs more rules governing them.
The proposal states Hamiltonban property owners who wish to host campers must provide a plan for water and sewage disposal.
"It is one thing to put a camper out there and tell people they can stay, it is another thing if they are dumping their sewage on the land," Reamer said.
The property owner or a designee must also be nearby in case of emergency, the proposal states.
"Everyone wants to go out into the woods and rent a cabin, especially with the growing popularity of glamping," Reamer said, referring to the form of camping involving accommodation and facilities more luxurious than those associated with traditional camping. "We need to make sure we are protecting the renters and the neighboring property owners."
Reamer said the proposal also limits the number of campsites that can be located on a property based on the lot's total acreage.
If the zoning change is proposed, hopeful campsite owners will be required to seek a permit for their business. Like the driveway ordinance, township officials will then review the plans to ensure landowners follow the rules.
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