MAR LIN - Norwegian Township residents asked questions of the planning and zoning commission members at a special meeting Monday about the comprehensive plan.
The plan is a road map for the future growth of the township.
"Could there be a lot of growth in the township?" resident Irene Grabusky asked during the meeting in the township building, 506 Maple Ave.
"We have the ability to grow, and we can grow in different directions," Keith Tokonitz, chairman of the planning and zoning commission, said.
The commission is in the process of updating the plan last updated in 1994. Members could make a recommendation to the board of supervisors in April.
A public hearing will be held at a later date and the supervisors will make a decision on the updated plan.
Members said they wanted comments from the public and before the meeting started those attending turned in surveys about how they feel about the township.
Surveys may be picked up at the township office. The deadline to return them is Feb. 28.
"The comp (compensation) plan is looking 10/15 years down the road," Nancy Hertz, commission member, said.
The township is comprised of 3,711 acres. Of that, 3,353 are undeveloped, with 1,638 acres available for development, Tokonitz said after the meeting.
Agricultural conservation and mining land preclude 1,715 of the 3,353 from being developed, he said.
"We have no plans of rezoning anything through the comp plan," Tokonitz said after the meeting
During the meeting, he said, "We're not looking to rezone and ever put industrial right next to residential."
The total developed land is 358 acres, of which most is residential.
Resident Tom Dallago, 51, said he thought more commercial businesses would be a good idea so people can have jobs.
He said the township is good to raise a family.
"It's a good place for kids. It's a good family town," he said.
One man also asked if there might be a need for a senior citizen housing complex in the township.
Despite the room to grow in the borough, one member said the county overall hasn't seen a lot of growth.
"This county is not a growing county for sure. It's a declining county," Bob Connelly, secretary, said.
He did say the southern end of county has been experiencing some growth.
Residents also made comments on snow removal and what some might classify as junk outside of a house at Seltzer Road and New Street.
"It's an eyesore," Grabusky said the property in question.
Members said they will take comments into consideration and surveys will be added to the plan.
Tokonitz said he understood frustration but asked people to be understanding with the amount of snow that has fallen.
"Please take into consideration this is a harsh winter," Tokonitz said.
Those same people who commented on the snow, and declined to provide their names, said the issue has been made worse because of a nearby resident who installed a cement wall about 3-feet-high on his property.
"When they have it ready to go, we're going to do it," township Supervisor Stanley Petchulis said afterward about voting on the plan.
The next meeting of the planning and zoning commission is 7 p.m. March 31.