Random Picture of Manheim Township

Municipal Building
1840 Municipal Drive
Lancaster, PA 17601
Phone: 717-569-6406
Fax: 717-560-4183

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Contents

Accessory Dwelling Units
Community Development Award Program

Comprehensive Planning
Development Review
Farmland Trust Award

Home Occupation

Zoning Issues and Information (Zoning Permits, sheds, fences, decks,  etc)

Planning Commission
Planning Commission Calendar

Zoning Administration
Zoning Hearing Board
Zoning Hearing Board Calendar

2005 Accomplishments

Planning and Zoning Services

The Manheim Township Department of Planning and Zoning handles all functions related to community development. Responsibilities include: Comprehensive Planning, Development Review, Zoning Administration, Township Planning Commission and Township Zoning Hearing Board.

The Crossings Traffic Impact Study

 
Online Ordinances

Stormwater Management

large pdf file

 
Other Information

Subdivision/Land Development

Submittal Guide and Checklist

Subdivision/Land Development Fees

Stormwater Management Fees


Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee

Information

Regular Meeting Schedule

Meeting Topics

***Supplemental Meeting***

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee

Wednesday, May 14th at 7 a.m.

Survey Results

Survey Comments

Survey Condensed Themes

Drafts for Residents Review

Transportation

Demographics

Infrastructure

Existing Land Use

Housing Profile

Natural and Cultural Resources

If you have any comments or questions please email

planningzoning@manheimtownship.org


Department Contact Information

Staff:

Lisa Douglas - Director
Samuel L. Maurer IV - Assistant Zoning Officer
Shannon Sinopoli - Planner / Development Review Administrator
Rita Williams - Department Secretary

Mailing Address:

Manheim Township
Department of Planning and Zoning
1840 Municipal Drive
           Lancaster PA 17601

Telephone Number:

(717) 569-6406 extension 7

Fax Number:

(717) 560-4183

E-Mail:

Planning & Zoning Department

 


Comprehensive Planning

The Manheim Township Comprehensive Plan is a multi-faceted document which provides the primary framework for the management of future growth and development. Prepared and adopted by the Township Board of Commissioners in April 1995, it contains many components and serves numerous functions. The Plan is designed to acquaint the reader with Manheim Township while identifying the Township's aspirations and expectations heading into the 21st century to preserve the unique character of the Township which has made the area such a desirable location for residences and businesses.

Manheim Township Comprehensive PlanIn its most basic form, the Plan serves as a valuable resource of information on the Township's population, environmental characteristics, existing land use, housing, Township services and facilities, and Township infrastructure. This information provides a solid foundation for the overall planning program of the Township. It is recognized that a thorough understanding of the Township's makeup is necessary to facilitate effective decision making.

The preparation of this Comprehensive Plan included a survey of Township residents. The survey, conducted from November 1992 to February 1993, was prepared, and results compiled, by the Township Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. There were 11,675 return postage paid surveys delivered to solicit responses. Of the surveys circulated, 2,784, or 23.8%, were returned. This high rate of return may be interpreted as considerable resident interest in the future of Manheim Township.

The survey had two basic purposes: first, to make residents aware of the ongoing process to update the Township Comprehensive Plan; and second, to learn more about the residents of the Township, and their attitudes regarding growth and development of the Township, and their desires for the future of the Township. The attitudes and values of residents play an essential role in the identification of planning issues and provide a foundation of planning goals and the appropriate steps to implement those goals.

The Plan is most visible in its role of directing the future growth and development of the Township. Although the Plan itself is not legally binding, it defines the parameters for the Township's growth management tools: the zoning ordinance, and subdivision and land development regulations. Likewise, it provides a basis for other functions such as the capital improvements program. In establishing an overall planning framework, the Plan provides a forum for fostering creative ideas and innovative techniques which will enhance Manheim Township.

The Plan seeks to direct future growth in two major ways. The first, and most important, is through the Plan's goals, objectives, and policies which are interwoven throughout the Plan's text. Besides addressing growth and development issues, the goals, objectives and policies deal with various socio-economic aspects of the Township. This format is designed to articulate more clearly the Township's goals and to provide an effective framework for achieving these goals. It is hoped that the policies will facilitate the development of action strategies and the revision of zoning and subdivision ordinances.

This process is discussed in greater detail in the chapter dealing with the implementation of the Plan. The second way the plan seeks to direct growth is by the more traditional and visible future land use map. The future land use map supplements the goals, objectives and policies of the plan and is designed to reflect the intent of the goals of the plan by visually depicting the appropriate development patterns up to the year 2010. The future land use map should be used as a general guide for rezoning requests and to encourage specific types of development in appropriate areas.

View/Download the Manheim Township Comprehensive Plan (200K) PDF file.

To view or download the Comprehensive Plan requires Adobe Reader.  If you do not have Adobe Reader, please click here.

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Development Review

Manheim Township is one of the municipalities in Lancaster County that has adopted its own regulations governing the approval of subdivision and land development plans. The Township Department of Planning and Zoning is charged with the processing and reviewing all subdivisions and land development plans to ensure compliance with this ordinance, as well as the Township Stormwater Management and Floodplain Management Ordinances. Copies of these ordinances are available for sale at the Township Office.

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Zoning Administration

The Manheim Township Department of Planning and Zoning administers the Township Zoning Ordinance. The purpose of zoning is simply land use control (the use of buildings and land). The intent of zoning regulations is to allow property owners the reasonable use of their property insofar as the use is not detrimental to abutting properties or to the neighborhood. Every property in the Township has a zoning classification that determines how the property can be used.

There are three types of approval:

  1. As of right (can be approved if all code requirements are met).
  2. A Special Exception (approvable by the Manheim Township Zoning Hearing Board).
  3. A Conditional Use Exception (approvable by the Manheim Township Board of Commissioners after a public hearing and consideration by the Manheim Township Planning Commission.

To ensure that the Manheim Township Zoning Ordinance you purchase is kept up-to-date, the Department offers an Ordinance Update Subscription Service. This service will provide subscribers with copies of all ordinances adopted by the Manheim Township Board of Commissioners that amend the Township Zoning Ordinance or Township Zoning Map. The annual cost for this service is $15.00. If you would like to take advantage of this service, please contact the Department to receive a Subscription Request Form.

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Township Zoning Hearing Board

The primary purpose of the Manheim Township Zoning Hearing Board is to help assure fair and equitable application and administration of the zoning ordinance by hearing appeals on the zoning officer's determinations and by granting relief from the literal enforcement of the ordinance in certain hardship situations. Since the Board has no legislative power, it can neither make nor modify zoning policy. Neither does the Board have enforcement powers. It is a quasi-judicial body; that is, its powers are to some extent judicial in nature. The Board schedules hearings on applications and appeals that come before it, takes evidence, and issues written decisions with findings of fact and conclusions of law. It must limit its scope of activities to those permitted by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.

The Township Zoning Hearing Board meets the first Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. The meetings are held at the Township Offices, 1840 Municipal Drive.

Zoning Hearing Board Members

David Wood, Chairperson
Patrick Trimble, Vice-Chairperson
Edward Hoover
Michael Winters
Robert Byram


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Zoning Hearing Board Meeting Dates and Submission Deadlines


The Manheim Township Zoning Hearing Board will hold their regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room in the Township Building, 1840 Municipal Drive, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on the dates listed below. Also listed below are the dates by which applications must be submitted for action at each of those meetings.

Zoning Hearing Board Calendar
Application Submission Dates
Meeting Dates
Friday, April 4, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Monday, January 5, 2009

The Zoning Hearing Board Agenda and Minutes below require Adobe Reader.  If you do not have Adobe Reader, please click here.

 

2008 Zoning Hearing Board Minutes

(pdf format)

April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

 

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Township Planning Commission

The Manheim Township Planning Commission plays a major role in the growth and development of the community. This seven member board, appointed by the Township Board of Commissioners, reviews and provides recommendations to the Board of Commissioners regarding development proposals, amendments to the Township land uses ordinances and rezoning requests. The Planning Commission also identifies changes and activity in the community that could necessitate an update of the Township Comprehensive Plan or land use regulations.

The Township Planning Commission meets the third Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. The meetings are held at the Township Offices.

Planning Commission Members

Jeffrey Sturla, Chairperson
Michel Gibeault, Vice-Chairperson
Robert Wolf
Cory Rathman
Donald Reed
Mary Ellen Hollinger
Michael Martin

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Planning Commission Meeting Dates and Submission Deadlines

The Manheim Township Planning Commission will hold their regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room in the Township
Building, 1840 Municipal Drive, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on the dates listed below. Also listed below are the dates by which subdivision and/or land development plans must be submitted for action at each of those meetings.

 

Planning Commission Calendar
Plan Submission Dates
Meeting Dates
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 21, 2009

The Planning Commission Agenda and Minutes below require Adobe Reader.  If you do not have Adobe Reader, please click here.

Planning Commission Agenda

(available approximately 1 week before the meeting)

 

2008 Planning Commission Minutes

(pdf format)

April

May

June

July

August
September

October

November
December

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Manheim Township Receives Farmland Trust Award

Manheim Township received the Amos Funk Spirit of Cooperation Award from the Lancaster Farmland Trust late last year.

FarmlandThis award was presented to the Township in recognition of our cooperative work in preserving farms through the TDR (Transferable Development Rights) program. This program is designed to complement the agricultural zoning by shifting development from these prime agricultural areas of the Township to areas designated for development.

The Township and the Trust have worked together to preserve four farms in the Township's agricultural zoning district over the past eight years. "We're honored to receive the award from the Farmland Trust. In creating the TDR program and continuing to use it as a mechanism to preserve farmland, we are making an investment in the future of the township," commented Roy Baldwin, President of the Manheim Township Commissioners.

The most recent farm to be preserved is a 49-acre tract on the north side of Oregon Pike that is known to area residents for its spectacular stone-end bank barn and charming setting. This farm is also on the National Register of Historic Places. "Already existing developments to the south and west of this farm illustrate how valuable this property is as agricultural and open space land," commented Karen Weiss of the Lancaster Farmland Trust.

She indicated that the Township's partnership with Lancaster Farmland Trust in preserving farms is mutually beneficial. Both the Township and the Trust purchase development rights from the farm's owner. Since the Farmland Trust has limited funds available, typically they contribute 10% of the purchase price. In the case of the most recent farm, the Township purchased 30 development rights, and the Trust purchased three. The Trust then shares the responsibility of monitoring the property to assure that it will not be developed.This purchase, and the permanent conservation easement placed on the property, is the sixth such purchase undertaken since the adoption of the Township's transferable development rights (TDR) program in 1991. The total acreage in the Township permanently protected from development through this innovative preservation technique now tops 300 acres.

Both the Township and the Trust can sell development rights they hold to developers who will use them in specified areas of Manheim Township to develop at a higher density.The Township has created a revolving fund for purchases by selling development rights to developers undertaking projects within areas designated for development. The Township has conducted two auctions for the sale of development rights; a total of 55 rights have been sold to developers through this process for use within two residential developments.The Township's commitment to the TDR program will continue into this new century. This year's budget includes $134,500 for the purchase of development rights.

For further information about the Township's Transferable Development Rights (TDR) program, please contact Sean Molchany at (717) 569-6406 extension 7, or by email.

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2005 Accomplishments
 
 
 
 
Here are a few of the key projects and activities the Planning and Zoning department was involved with in 2005.

  • Participated in the LIMC Multi Municipal Comprehensive Plan, known as "Growing Together" Regional Comprehensive Plan.
  • Participated in the preparation of a "Specific Plan" with Lancaster City and Lancaster County Planning Commission .
  • Reviewed and processed 63 Subdivision, Land Development and Stormwater Plans.
  • Reviewed approximately 825 building permits for zoning compliance.
  • Reviewed approximately 137 zoning permits for zoning compliance.
  • Updated the Floodplain Ordinance in accordance with the updated FEMA maps and as recommended by the Governor's Center for Local Government.
  • Updated the Stormwater Management Ordinance to incorporate the Cocalico Creek and Conestoga Creek Watershed Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan.  It is anticipated that the Stormwater Management Ordinance updates will be adopted in early 2006.
  • Participation in the MS-4 program by the completion of year 3 requirements.
 

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