Development News for Hampton, Pennsylvania

Hampton Township Approves Museum Parking Lot Paving with Fund Reallocation

The council considered reallocating $52,360 from the park trail paving project to approve Change Order Number Two for Shields Asphalt Paving to pave the Depreciation Lands Museum parking lot. Discussions have occurred regarding the parking lot's condition, and $20,000 was previously reallocated for drainage and a concrete pad. The total cost for the park trail paving and engineering is approximately $123,000, leaving about $56,000 in the capital budget account. Two bids were received for the museum parking lot, with Shields Asphalt being the lower bid at $52,360. Paving companies find this project challenging due to its size and complexity.

Hampton Township to Amend Timber Harvesting Ordinance

Zoning and Planning requested authorization to advertise for a public hearing to amend the township's timber harvesting ordinance. The current ordinance is misaligned with Pennsylvania Commonwealth Act 38 acre requirements. The solicitor recommends amending the ordinance to align with the model ordinance recommended by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office. Concerns were raised about the removal of an exemption for trees posing immediate danger, but it was noted that other clauses might subsume this exception, and the township must adhere to state regulations which cannot be more strict than DCNR regulations.

Hampton Township Joins Allegheny County Vacant Property Recovery Program

The Hampton Township Council approved entering into a cooperation agreement and adopting Resolution 1128 to join the Allegheny County Vacant Property Recovery Program. This program allows residents to acquire vacant, tax-delinquent properties (typically side yards) to integrate them back into the tax base. The county's review process for vacant properties is described as intensive, requiring properties to be at least three years tax delinquent. Hampton Township will be the 92nd municipality to join this program.

Hampton Township to Authorize Advertisement for Pioneer Place Sanitary Sewer Takeover

The council authorized the advertisement for the Pioneer Place Sanitary Sewer Infrastructure Takeover Ordinance. This ordinance pertains to new homes being built along South Pioneer Road and will allow the township to own the sanitary sewer infrastructure in that development.