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After nearly two years of work, the Ligonier Borough Planning Commission voted to recommend a 156-page revised zoning ordinance and new zoning map to borough council.

The new ordinance alleviates confusion and ambiguities that were in the previous ordinance, planning commission Chairman Scott Lieb said.

For example, the old ordinance had no definition for major and minor streets, but referenced them later in the document. The new version clears up those differences, Lieb said.

The ordinance will be given to council before its Oct. 5 meeting, and council members will set a date for a public hearing, required before the ordinance can go into affect.

If approved, residents will be able to add “granny flats” — an additional room above their garage — an option that previously wasn’t permitted.

Businesses will also be able to count borough-owned lots as part of their parking requirement, whereas before any business owners moving into The Diamond had to get a parking variance.

After commissioners unanimously approved the recommendation, commissioner Joe Willard brought up a new project.

“We need some sort of written procedure to keep the development process fluid and running smoothly,” Willard said.

He proposed creating a written application that includes instructions for developers.

Commissioner Jim McDonnell agreed.

“Anything we can do to make this zoning and land-use thing easier,” he said.

Willard will create a proposal to be discussed at the commission’s meeting on Oct. 22.

(Original post) ]]> http://journalistjewels.com/?feed=rss2&p=302 0 http://journalistjewels.com/?p=300 http://journalistjewels.com/?p=300#comments Wed, 23 Sep 2009 06:29:55 +0000 Jewels Phraner http://journalistjewels.com/?p=300

The majority of the discussion at Monday’s Ligonier Valley School board meeting concerned the possibility of Laurel Valley Middle-High School closing.

Parents and community members have been asking the board the same questions for several months, after the release of a study by Ohio-based Warner Concepts recommended the consolidation of Laurel Valley Middle-High School into Ligonier Valley middle and high schools.

The report calls for Laurel Valley sixth- to 12th-graders to start attending the Ligonier schools starting in fall 2010.

“We don’t ever get an answer to anything. Why are we even here if you’re not going to listen to us? You just sit up there and shake your heads and look back and forth from one another. When are we going to get a chance to get our questions answered?” New Florence resident Tess Altimus asked the board.

Board member Bruce Robinson replied, “It’s hard to give you answers when nothing’s been decided.”

Former board president Irvin Tantlinger appointed members Ray Beam, John Maier, Bruce Robinson and Kevin Pahach to research the pros and cons of implementing the Warner plan. Board members were asked to look at transportation, facilities, education and finances. They will present their findings at the Oct. 19 meeting.

Before the board can vote on the consolidation, there will be a public hearing where Robinson said citizens’ questions will be answered.

Board members appointed Robinson president until Nov. 30. Kevin McLaughlin was the only board member to vote against the appointment. There were no other nominations.

Tantlinger resigned as president at last month’s meeting, citing illness and threats made against his family as his reasons for leaving the post.

(Original post) ]]> http://journalistjewels.com/?feed=rss2&p=300 0 http://journalistjewels.com/?p=122 http://journalistjewels.com/?p=122#comments Sat, 12 Sep 2009 01:50:46 +0000 Jewels Phraner http://journalistjewels.com/?p=122

Ligonier Borough Council on Thursday approved a much-discussed ordinance allowing for outdoor cafes in its business district.

Council approved the ordinance at its last meeting, but Mayor Ormond “Butch” Bellas took unusual action and vetoed the ordinance. It was his first veto in eight years serving as Ligonier’s mayor.

“I usually agree with what they do, but not this time,” Bellas said. “It’s too much government.”

Bellas brought up his concerns again at yesterday’s meeting. He said the ordinance’s requirement of a six-inch candle of light at each outdoor table would cause problems because the borough has no way to measure light. He said he didn’t want restaurant owners to have the burden of proving they supply adequate lighting.

Councilman Robert Helterbran said the light requirement is minimal and the burden would rest on the borough’s shoulders, not the restaurant owner.

“There should be no objection here,” Helterbran said.

Bellas also said business owners should not be required to get “a signed permission slip” from the property owner to operate a sidewalk cafe.

But Helterbran argued if the borough permits the practice and the property owner knows nothing about it, the borough could be held liable.

As discussion went on, Bellas became frustrated with the council.

“You guys are going to pass this anyway, so go ahead and pass it,” he said.

Council approved the ordinance, 6-1. Councilman Sam Banales voted against it. Although he didn’t cite reasons why last night, Banales said at last month’s meeting that the ordinance was too restrictive.

(Original post) ]]> http://journalistjewels.com/?feed=rss2&p=122 0 http://journalistjewels.com/?p=244 http://journalistjewels.com/?p=244#comments Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:49:47 +0000 Jewels Phraner http://journalistjewels.com/?p=244

Irvin Tantlinger announced his resignation as Ligonier Valley school board president, effective at the conclusion of Monday night’s meeting.

The board meeting later got so heated, Tantlinger adjourned the meeting suddenly and left the room before anyone could second the motion, leaving audience members and some board members unsure of what to do next.

The board waited until the end of their regular meeting to hear comments from students, parents and community members.

Most audience members had concerns about the Warner Concepts LLC study that suggested consolidating middle and high school students into Ligonier Valley high and middle schools by fall 2010, which would close Laurel Valley Middle-High School.

Tantlinger attempted to stop New Florence citizen Mark Howard from speaking after six minutes — three minutes more than his allotted time — but Howard continued to talk over Tantlinger. Tantlinger tried to call a recess, but when he could not be heard over Howard, Tantlinger called for the adjournment and left the room.

Directors Kevin McLaughlin, Todd Martin and Kevin Pahach tried to continue the meeting, but the room erupted into chaos.

“This is uncharted territory,” Pahach said. “We’ll sit here and listen to you, but there does need to be some semblance of order.”

After taking a recess, upon the advice of Solicitor Dennis Rafferty, directors Pahach, McLaughlin, Martin, Bruce Robinson and John Maier returned, creating the quorum needed for the meeting to continue.

Those from the public were firmly held to the three-minute speaking rule as the 7 p.m. meeting continued until well after 10 p.m. The meeting did not end until no one else stood to speak.

Parents reiterated their concerns about busing children from as far as Seward to Ligonier Valley High School. Students would have to make the nearly 20-mile drive down Route 711, which is heavily used by coal trucks.

Other parents pleaded for other options, such as closing the administration building or consolidating Ligonier Valley high and middle schools, so Laurel Valley students didn’t have to change schools.

Still others said closing Laurel Valley would result in a staggering loss for the district’s northern communities.

Although those in support of the consolidation were the minority, some audience members said that their personal experiences with long bus rides weren’t that big of a deal.

“When I was in first grade, I had an hour-and-20-minute bus ride, and it’s not bad,” Ligonier Valley High School student Rachel Thomas said.

For now, the board has formed committees to look at several aspects of the study including transportation, cost and finding answers to many unanswered questions.

Board members will present their findings in October, and there will be a public hearing three months after that. No action can be taken until after the public hearing is held.

In other news, the school district accepted the resignation of Laurel Valley Middle-High School Principal David Blozowich, who will become the superintendent of United School District.

Pahach referred to the resignation as a “casualty” of the Warner study.

The board approved Ligonier Valley High School Principal Ronald Baldonieri to serve as principal of both schools until a decision about the consolidation is made.

(Original post) ]]> http://journalistjewels.com/?feed=rss2&p=244 0 http://journalistjewels.com/?p=246 http://journalistjewels.com/?p=246#comments Sat, 15 Aug 2009 03:51:24 +0000 Jewels Phraner http://journalistjewels.com/?p=246

On a warm afternoon, Abigail’s Coffeehouse patrons in Ligonier squeeze into two cafe tables and a bench outside. And after deliberation at Thursday’s borough council meeting, they still can, with the blessing of borough officials.

The sidewalk cafe ordinance passed 4-1, with Councilman Sam Banales voting against the proposal, saying it was too restrictive. Council members Robert Helterbran and Tom Freeman were absent from the meeting.

Many community residents and Mayor Ormond “Butch” Bellas spoke against the ordinance, not because they didn’t want sidewalk cafes but echoing Banales’ concerns.

One resident, Richard Flickinger, said the ordinance is a duplication of laws on the books.

For example, the section that prohibits alcohol served at sidewalk cafes is covered by the borough’s open container ordinance, and the American With Disabilities Act states that there has to be a 60-inch clearance on all sidewalks.

“Are we encouraging this activity, or are we stifling it?” he asked.

Resident Diane Cipa suggested amending an existing ordinance to mention outdoor dining, but she, too, said the proposed ordinance was unnecessary.

Council members, however, took the position that the ordinance is needed to protect the borough in case of an accident.

“It is our obligation to protect this borough,” Jim McDonnell said. “I lean toward the direction of our solicitor to keep up out of troubles.”

And Solicitor George Welte said if there was no ordinance it would be a dereliction of council’s duties.

Bellas said he planned to veto the ordinance. In that case, council could vote again at its next council meeting, Sept. 10, and would need five members to override the veto.

In other news, council OK’d 11 requests from the Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce for use of the Diamond’s bandstand during 2010 events such as the January Ice Fest and next year’s Stroll.

Approved was a fundraiser for Ligonier Township police dog Ando. The event includes a walk down Main Street, where participants will walk their own dogs. The walk is tentatively set for Sept. 26.

(Original post) ]]> http://journalistjewels.com/?feed=rss2&p=246 0 http://journalistjewels.com/?p=342 http://journalistjewels.com/?p=342#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:24:57 +0000 Jewels Phraner http://journalistjewels.com/?p=342