5 October 2005 | Approved: 4 January 2006
Chairman John McClelland called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. In attendance were Commissioners Darrell Anderson, Peggy Ebner, Bob Evans and alternate Jim Leng. Also in attendance were town residents Kevin Ambrose, Jack Buckley, Bruce Rothrock and Keith Spangler.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes for August and September were approved.
407 Acorn Lane Update
Chairman McClelland stated that the Town Council has asked for a search of land records of all possible actions of abandonment and conveyances out from the Town since 1937. According to attorney Bill Roberts, the Camp Meeting Association of Washington Grove transferred all right, title and interest in "all parks, streets, roads, avenues, alleys, alley ways and rights of way" to certain trustees who in turn transferred all of the same to the Town of Washington Grove by deed recorded August 28, 1937. A proposed deed, dated 1959 from an attorney of the then property owner of 407 Acorn Lane requested transferal of part of Johnson Alley to the lots that are now 407 Acorn, however, no final recorded/executed deed has been found. Attorney Roberts has advised that adverse possession does not apply to property owned by municipalities. Public property would require an executed deed to transfer ownership to a private property owner.
Porch Enclosures
The Planning Commission (PC) will send a letter to the owners of 315 Grove Avenue reiterating the PC’s decision denying further enclosure of the porch which is located partially on Town property. The letter will also give the owners 30 days to remove the screen from the portion of the porch that is on Town property.
Building Permits
The following building permits were discussed and voted on by the Planning Commission:
- 110 Grove Avenue – Playhouse/castle location complies with Article VII, Section 9 approved unanimously. Chairman McClelland abstained.
- 103 Grove Avenue – Fence replacement complies with Article VII, Section 3.328 approved unanimously.
- 350 Ridge Road – Fence complies with Article VII, Sections 9 & 3.328 approved unanimously.
- 121 Chestnut – Porch complies with Article VII, Sections 9 & 3.329 approved unanimously.
Compliance Grace Period
Commissioner Anderson presented a report from the Town Council on Ordinance revisions that were discussed at their September 12 meeting. The Council wondered if there should be a grace period on properties in non-compliance at the time the revisions would go into effect. The PC concluded that all notified property owners should correct the noncompliance within one year.
Missy Yachup – Secretary
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.