'Taking of land' wording included in proposed York Twp. map
For the Daily Record/Sunday News
York, PA - The word "taking" and several other proposed stipulations caused enough concern to halt a vote on the adoption of an official map in York Township.
The township held a public hearing Tuesday to consider and receive public comment on an ordinance that would establish and adopt an official map for the township.
Several residents complained the proposed map would allow for changes to area roads that would increase traffic in and around residential communities.
Others said the map and ordinance contain too many ambiguities.
"You can't approve this," resident Dennis Ness told the board and added the map includes an illegal urban growth boundary -- a measure that aims to control urban sprawl.
"I wouldn't adopt this at all."
Some residents said they weren't properly notified about areas on the proposed map that designate private property for potential public uses, including parks and roads.
Commissioner Paul Knepper said he was concerned about language in the map ordinance that calls for "the taking of land."
Knepper said he owns roughly 35 acres in the township.
"The idea that someone at some point could take it doesn't sit well with me," he said.
Commissioner Albert Granholm said he views the map as a planning tool. Just because the map designates uses for parcels doesn't mean the township would bring the proposals to fruition. But the map would benefit from some tweaking, he said.
"I think we can refine it,"
Granholm said.
Commissioner George Jones also said he is concerned the map could bring about the use of eminent domain.
"I have a terrible problem with the word 'taking,'" Commissioner Kenneth Silberstein said. "What's the rush to get this done?"
Silberstein also said he's concerned residents weren't properly notified that the proposed map could impact the future use of private land. The board members did not act on the issue and said they plan to further discuss changes to the map
with township staff.
Read more at www.ydr.com
· Click here for the map ordinance
