Township schedules second hearing on private roads and driveways

The Thomson Township board of supervisors has scheduled a followup public hearing on the proposed private road and private shared driveway ordinances for 5 p.m. March 9.

Following a large turnout for the initial public hearing — with many township residents giving feedback critical of the proposed ordinances — the township’s attorney, David Pritchett, strongly recommended scheduling another public hearing as soon as possible to give the public ample time to review the edited ordinance and be aware that there will be another hearing.

At issue are two proposed resolutions that would require a shared maintenance agreement and minimum design standards for private shared driveways and roads in the township. The proposals would ensure safe and adequate access for public safety and to permit future upgrading, proponents on the board say.

At the regular board meeting Thursday, Feb. 2, Pritchett told the board a complete rewrite of the ordinance is not necessary, and that he expected just a simple tweak to some areas would take seven to 10 days to complete. A proposed citizen committee isn’t part of the plan.

The ordinances define private roads and driveways, would require maintenance agreements for all homeowners on a shared private road or driveway, and outlines violations and penalties for not following the various rules and outlines in the ordinance.

The new ordinances would apply to only “shared” roads and driveways, not to private driveways or roads leading to only one home.

Initially, Pritchett hoped to schedule the meeting for late February, but with other things going on at the township office, township clerk Rhonda Peleski advised against rushing the next hearing date.

Board members discussed if it was necessary to republish a notice of the hearing, but Pritchett advised them to publish the notice of public hearing again to ensure that all residents who wish to attend can be there.

The updated ordinances will be available to view on the township’s website when they are completed.

The board will not vote to approve the ordinance until after the next public hearing.

In other business, the board will hold a public hearing on the proposed sewer rate increase for township residents at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb 16.

The board meets the first and third Thursday of each month.