Cranberry Township supervisors voted unanimously Thursday to grant a conditional use permit to township resident Randy Spencer to operate a junkyard on his property at 5273 Route 322.
Supervisors had 45 days from a hearing in late April to make a decision on Spencer’s application for the permit. About 30 people had gathered at the township building for the April 27 hearing.
“That’s a tough decision,” supervisors chairman Matt McSparren said after the vote Thursday. He was joined in approving the permit by fellow supervisors Fred Buckholtz and Bob Betzold.
Heil said that by granting the conditional use permit, the land is now able to be used for a junkyard. However, for a junkyard to be established on the property, the owner must obtain a license for a junkyard.
The township would have to inspect the property to determine if it is “suitable” for such an operation, said Heil.
“There are a lot of laws for land use… It can be a time-consuming and moderately confusing process,” Heil told the newspaper. “That is why we have attorneys to help with that process.”
There are several conditions Spencer would have to meet to establish a junkyard on his property, including installing an eight-foot tall fence to screen the junkyard from the developed areas of another property, Heil said during the meeting.
Spencer would also have to move any vehicles on the property that are currently in violation to the designated junkyard area within 60 days, Heil added.
Voting to grant Spencer the conditional use permit “is just the beginning of the process,” said Heil, who added that notifications of the decision have been mailed to the parties involved.
In other business at Thursday’s meeting, Heil said a public hearing to discuss broadband expansion in the township will be held during the next supervisors meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 23.
Heil said township residents are invited and there will be surveys available for them to fill out that will help determine where the need is greatest for broadband.
The survey is also available on the township’s website and Facebook page.
Township zoning/code enforcement officer Chad Berry said multiple building permits have been filed recently, including for new sheds and pools. A permit for a new house was also filed with an estimated project cost of $348,000.
Altogether, there was a total improvement value to the township of $445,950.
Supervisors also voted to award the Cranberry fireworks committee $500 toward the July 2 fireworks display.
