Board of Supervisors Work Session Minutes
PARADISE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
PARADISE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
JOINT WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 6, 2019
Call to Order
Vice Chair Gonze called the joint meeting to order at 5:05 p.m.
Roll Call
Officials Present:
Board of Supervisors
Gary Konrath - Chair Planning Commission
Peter Gonze – Vice Chair Donna Alker – Vice Chair
Reda Briglia – Supervisor Joseph Greco - Member
John C. Prevoznik – Solicitor Timothy McManus - Solicitor
Charles Unangst – Engineer
Workflow Communications
A memo from David Brown, Planning Commission Chair, was distributed concerning the issues that he would like to see discussed in his absence and his thoughts on each. Gonze discussed how the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission could better communicate information between them. Gonze suggested having a Planning Commission member attend the Board of Supervisors’ meetings regularly, possibly one or both of the Board of Supervisors’ monthly meetings to update the Board and keep a line of communication open regarding Planning Commission items. Gonze questioned the ways in which ordinances would get written. Briglia stated the Board would need to ask whether Solicitor Prevoznik, Solicitor McManus and Charles Unangst were interested in participating in the writing of ordinances for the Township. Unangst stated that Hanover Engineering does employ a Planner that could be used to help write ordinances. Solicitor McManus stated it was his opinion that the Township should employ a planner because he would not have time to take on the task of writing ordinances in a timely manner. Alker asked if the Planning Commission would be moving forward with zoning changes the commission was working on with Deb Brady before she retired. Solicitor Prevoznik suggested to wait until American Legal was finished with the recodification of the Township’s ordinances before continuing with any zoning changes. Gonze suggested that the planner from Hanover Engineering would be the best solution right now if a planner was needed in the process of amending an ordinance. Briglia stated that Unangst attends both the Planning Commission meetings and the Board of Supervisors meetings and perhaps he could keep each board apprised of any information deemed necessary for the other to know. Unangst stated that he could do that. Konrath stated that the Board of Supervisors would like to receive the draft minutes from the Planning Commission meetings to keep them more current on what is happening with the Planning Commission.
No actions or decisions were reached.
Short Term Rentals
Briglia read Brown’s comments from his memo regarding short term rentals: “They should be allowed in all commercial and residential designated areas. Our current ordinance would apply to the commercial areas, but if they are in residential areas then the current ordinance should be revised to permit them only in owner occupied, primary residences within the Township.” Briglia stated that she believed that would be a bed and breakfast not a short term rental. Solicitor McManus clarified that the Brown meant that the owner would only be able to rent out a room or rooms in their house while occupying it and would not be providing meals so therefore it would not be considered a bed and breakfast.
Short term rentals and how to regulate/enforce them was also discussed at length.
Solicitor Prevoznik suggested looking at the hotel/motel aspect of short term rentals whereas if you have more than 5 bedrooms you would be required to be licensed as a hotel/motel. In doing so it would make the requirements stricter than a short term rental.
Konrath stated that he read in the newspaper that Pocono Township hired a firm to track short term rentals in their Township. The firm would compile data on short term rentals in the Township and provide the municipality with a way to track property owners who haven’t properly registered and licensed their property.
No actions or decisions were reached.
Adjournment
Motion: Konrath moved and seconded by Briglia to adjourn the meeting at 5:58 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Tina Transue
Secretary