Elizabeth Township: Residents want openness in comprehensive plan

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

Elizabeth Township residents didn’t hesitate to share their views Thursday evening in the third and final public meeting on the comprehensive plan.

After a two-hour presentation that included surveys of what members of the public felt were the top priorities to sustain the township in the future, the floor was opened for additional comments.

Resident Scott Taylor said he had declined to participate in the various polls during the presentation because they seemed pointed toward revisiting zoning in the township.

“The majority of the stuff we were talking about is actually allowed in our districts,” Taylor said, pointing to businesses such as bed and breakfasts, which are permitted in medium density residential areas, special conservation areas and river conservation areas by special exception.

A.J. Schwartz of Environmental Planning Design, the company preparing the comprehensive plan, said special exceptions are more cumbersome to developers and small businesses than permitted uses with supplemental regulations. Township manager Greg Butler said the fee for a special exception hearing is $250 for a private individual and $500 for a business.

“There are some obstacles and impediments that could be removed,” Schwartz said.

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