(7/20) Carroll Valley Borough Council closed one longstanding issue during its July meeting and extended discussion on another.
By a vote of 6-1, the council unanimously approved an ordinance that dictates the number of vehicles that can be placed on a property. Even though residents have flocked to meetings in recent months to deliver fervent public comment on the matter, the law’s final approval came with few remarks from the council and no input from the public.
Richard Mathews, Michael Wight, Jessica Kraft, David Lillard, John Schubring, and Kari Buterbaugh supported the ordinance revision; Bruce Carr opposed it.
The new regulations state residents can have up to three travel trailers, boats, or trailers on their property as long as they do not block a public sideway or easement. If a lot is larger than two acres, the property owner may keep a fourth such vehicle. Property owners must trim vegetation near the items, maintain valid registration on them, and prevent fuels from leaking into the ground.
In January, the borough council rejected a planning commission proposal that limited residents to two items, one in the front of the property and one elsewhere in the land.
Borough-owned lots
For several months, the borough council has discussed selling some of the many lots the government owns throughout the municipality. At their July meeting, they accepted another one.
The previous owner of 3 Crestview Trail, a one-acre wooded parcel, died recently and willed the land to the borough.
Borough Manager Dave Hazlett said the council had the right to reject the property but he feared it would linger in the legal system, preventing the borough from collecting taxes on it. Hazlett believes the borough can quickly sell the lot and ensure its financial profitability for the government.
Council voted 6-1 to accept the gift, with Carr dissenting.
Hazlett told the council and those in attendance that he would only recommend the borough sell five to ten of the many borough-owned lots. He plans on discussing the matter further at a future meeting.
Hazlett said he recently paid on behalf of the borough 2021 Adams County property taxes totaling $3,651.63 for five borough-owned lots. In a letter, Adams County Tax Services Director Daryl Crum acknowledged the county and borough are in discussions on whether the properties should be taxed. If the matter is resolved in the borough’s favor, Crum wrote, the county will refund the payment.
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