Tag Archives: planning commission

Planning Commission Meeting Tuesday, Jan. 23rd at 7:30 pm, ZOOM only

PlanningCommission

BRIDGETON TOWNSHIP PLANNIG COMMISSION

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING

AGENDA – JANUARY 23, 2024

Virtual Via Zoom: 

1) Call to order at 7:30 p.m.; virtual via Zoom and may be recorded.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84570446035?pwd=zzxyhgxVXMYdjGjsYkPJOE6c2MNYVa.1

2) Public comments on this sequence of agenda topics

3) Approval of the minutes of the December 5, 2023 meeting.

OLD BUSINESS

4) COMPREHENSIVE PLAN – Recommended Adoption Vote

  • Edits received from the BTPC have been made to the plan by BCPC
  • Page 23 High Falls Creek narrative was expanded on to go along with the edit recommendation
  • Page 35 URL Link to the historic survey added; narrative was added explaining the survey and its purpose.
  • Here is a link to the most updated draft.

Click to access Bridgeton-Township-Comprehensive-Plan-Update-DRAFT-January-2024.pdf

Motion for BTPC voteto recommendthe plan for adoption by the Bridgeton Township BOS.  Note: Once BOS adopts the CP plan and signs a resolution, the BCPC will remove the “draft” watermarks and send an official copy.

Action notice to be forward to the Bridgeton Twp. Board of Supervisors.

5) SHORT TERM RENTAL/STR ORDINANCE proposal  

January 2024 BTPC meeting:

  • Discuss examples of STR Ordinances in other municipalities and the submittal of traditional regulated hotel units. *
    • Identify items that seem to have merit by one or more Commissioners.
  • Proposed future meetings on STR Ordinance review, development and recommendation:
  • Feb. 2024 BTPC meeting
    • Line by line review of the draft Bridgeton Township STR ordinance.
    • Request to have each Commissioner prepare top talking points they feel must be addressed in the Bridgeton Twp. STR ordinance. (Commissioners to distribute those items to CC within 2 weeks of the end of the February meeting.)
    • and the points will be immediately distributed by CC, to be reviewed by the Commissioners prior to the March/next meeting for detailed further discussion by the BTPC at their next meeting. 
  • March 2024 BTPC meeting – The purpose of this meeting is to construct a final document from the Planning Commission, using all of the comments from the Public and Commissioners to be recommended to the BT BOS as a guide for their April and, or May 2024 meeting. There is a simple majority approval of the Commissioners to advance this to the next level of review and discussion by the Board of Supervisors.
    • Any recommendations of the BTPC presented to the Bridgeton Township Board of Supervisors will be publicly posted as well.

NEW BUSINESS

BT PLANNING COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS

PUBLIC COMMENTS

  • Public comment on individual topics publicly reviewed by Commissioners will be offered for the public to share new information; or have reactions to work of the Commission. Due to time constraints of the meeting and the plan to further review and discuss research at future meetings this segment of comment will be restricted to 3 minutes per speaker.
  • And/or may be presented in longer written form to:  info@bridgetontwp.org

*Please note that several meetings (Sept. and October) were given to collecting public comments from individuals as well as a group called RRBT proposal was publicly reviewed line by line.  All of the public input will be analyzed with all information collected from the Commissioner’s research in the March BTPC meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

Next Regular Meeting is the 4TH Tuesday of the Month, February 27,2024 at 7:30 pm (via Zoom)

Agenda-for-BTPC-Jan.-23-2024-meeting-2Download

Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Oct. 24th, 2023

Bridgeton Township Planning Commission Minutes of October 24, 2023 meeting via Zoom
BTPC (PC): CC Hopf (Chair), Greg Gerhardt, Roger Keller at the Bridgeton Township building and Michael Doyle on Zoom

Attending public: Kevin & Linnea McIntyre, Rick & Iris Lewis, Eric & Gabrielle Wallace, Jeff Porter, Kasara McIntyre, Walter Gabler, Edna & Jim Cochran, Joan Fullerton, Joe Guasconi, Joe & Nicole, Colette, Basil Tartaglia, Mark Bryan, Juan Carlos Carretero; and attending on Zoom: Bea Briggs.

I. Call to order
CC Hopf called the meeting to order at 7.37 pm. The meeting was on Zoom and recorded.

II. Requests from the public to be heard on the October 24, 2023 agenda:
Residents shared how the STRs “help take care of families”, “STRs give families resilience financially” and the STR’s spend money in our community.
The BTPC was questioned by the residents regarding urgency on the passing of the STR. Roger Keller said the BTPC reviews the proposed draft ordinance and forwards their comments and advisories to the BT BOS, the proposed draft STR Ordinance may go to the Bucks County Planning Commission for comment to Bridgeton Township and there is public hearing before final adoption (or not). There is no specified timeline.
A group of residents, “Responsible Renters of Bridgeton Township” (RRBT), presented a 2 page document – “A Statement of Concerns/Suggested Revisions” relating to the Township’s proposed Draft Short-Term Rental Ordinance under review by the BT Planning
Commission. This Statement of Concerns will be appended to the Oct. 24, 2023 minutes.

CC Hopf suggested going through the enumerated list of concerns:
It was commented that the ordinance was not easy to understand, coming across as ‘lawyer talk’, and in places the meaning is not clear.

Roger Keller said that the proposed ordinance is written by the Township Solicitor and suggested that questions about specific language
should be collected and put in writing.

CC Hopf asked the residents to forward the specific text passages that they wanted clarified and forwarded to Bridgeton Township by email at: info@BridgetonTwp.org. This will be forward by the township to the Bridgeton Township solicitor for explanation/reply.

The list of specific recommended changes from the two page RRBT document that was submitted were discussed and questions were fielded. For clarity some of the comments
made were on the following from the RRBT document:

1. Some of the group want residents to be able to own one STR in addition to any at their primary residence. The draft ordinance currently stipulates one STR at the primary
residence only.

3. Safety inspections of STRs. The group recommends independent private inspectors rather than the Township Zoning Officer… that the home owner pays for and may use either the local Fire Department or their own choice of Independent Safety Inspectors; Roger Keller commented that safety issues could be different for STR renters versus usual longer term renters.

4. In the proposed ordinance: STR owner-operators must be private individuals or LLC exclusive to the STR unit owned – “no corporate ownership”. Comment was made that exclusion of corporations might be a legal issue.

5 & #6 In reference to page 3, section F of the proposed STR draft… the RRBT commented that there should be no restriction on the number of rental days, and the number of guests should be increased from 2/bedroom to 4.
It was pointed out by the BTPC that this has potential for increased load on the septic system.
Bea Briggs on Zoom shared: An important concern is that STRs will change the nature of the community with fewer permanent residents contributing in their various ways to a healthy community. The community is already changing and it’s concerning. On the other
hand, it was pointed out, STRs offer some benefits such as enabling people to purchase housing and by creating living units thus increasing the stock of housing.
Discussion of the proposed Draft STR Ordinance was closed at 8.55pm.

It is noted that: Members of the public are welcome to share your comments on proposed ordinances, subdivisions and land development applications, or matters relating to planning and zoning to Bridgeton Township at: info@BridgetonTwp.org .

The Bridgeton Township Planning Commission/BTPC may support a proposed ordinance or subdivision/land development application or not, or simply not have an opinion one way or another. Either way, the Bridgeton Township Board of Supervisors/BOS may consider the
planning commissions insights but are not bound to agree with or act on any of the Bridgeton Township Planning Commissions/BTPCs recommendations.

III. Review of June 27, 2023 meeting minutes.
The draft minutes from the September 26, 2023 meeting were reviewed. Greg Gerhardt moved for approval of the minutes. The motion was seconded by CC Hopf. Per Roberts Rules of order, C C Hopf certified the minutes as written. There were no comments and the motion was approved unanimously, 3, 0, 1 (3 aye, one abstention)
IV. BTPC review of Bridgeton Township, Bucks County Pennsylvania draft Short-Term Rental Ordinance
The goal of the draft ordinance is to allow Bridgeton residents the opportunity for short-term rentals of their own homes or accessory buildings, with certain restrictions.
Majority of the BTPC meeting was listening to residents during the public comments.
V. The proposed Bridgeton Township Comprehensive Plan (CP) Update.
1) Bridgeton Township has received the completed Historic Survey containing photos, map, database and report for the historic resource survey update. Per BTPC discussion: the historic survey will be included in the CP update by reference and text only; corrections/updates will be taken care of prior to referring to the BOS; a link to the historic survey will be put on the Bridgeton Township website; Roger Keller will take care of theabove mentioned “details”.
2) It was agreed to tentatively hold a BTPC workshop meeting on November 28, 2023 on Zoom to go over the public comments that were received on the proposed draft CP update.
A public announcement of the meeting will be made if this workshop is to be held. If not held, a discussion on the CP update public comments that were received will be covered at the BTPC December 5, 2023 meeting.
–A link accessing the latest draft of the proposed CP update
is posted on the Bridgeton Township website and a copy of the CP draft available at the Bridgeton Township building.
-Public presentation of the proposed CP update was on 7/25/2023 via Zoom; The CP 45-day public comment period started 6/27/23, open until 8/12/23.
VI. Public comments: No further public comments
VII. Comments from the PC members:
Roger Keller inquired about the proposed draft ordinance amending the Bridgeton Township Zoning Ordinance to permit and regulate keeping and raising chickens as an accessory use.
C C advised the BOS requested the BTPC to discuss this again and will tentatively be on the January 2024 BTPC agenda.
VIII. Adjournment
Roger Keller moved the meeting to be adjourned. The motion was seconded by Greg Gerhardt and passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9.24 pm.
Michael Doyle

BTPC-Minutes-Oct-24-2023-1Download

Planning Commission Meeting Tuesday, Dec. 5th at 7:30 pm, ZOOM only

PlanningCommission

Bridgeton Township Planning Commission Agenda for December 5, 2023

1) Call to order at 7:30 p.m.
This meeting will be on Zoom and may be recorded
.
2) Requests from the public to be heard on the December 5, 2023 agenda;
Written comments may be sent to: info@bridgetontwp.org

3) Review and approval of the October 24, 2023 draft minutes.

4) Selection of the 2024 BTPC Chair
2024 BTPC Vice Chair
2024 BTPC Secretary

5) Selection of BTPC 2024 monthly meeting date and time
Presently the BTPC meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm with the exception of:
No meeting in November
December meeting has typically been the 1st Tuesday of the month.
(In 2024 this would be 12/3/24)
Action notice is to be forward to the Bridgeton Township BOS with 2024 info.

6) The Bridgeton Twp. Comprehensive Plan update; Roger Keller, Lead:
Discussion of the CP update public comments that were received and
decision as to what will be added, removed or edit from the
proposed CP update, etc. so that the plan may move forward.
Note: Per the 8/1/2023 email from Bryn-Erin Kerr, Planner at the BCPC:
“At our meeting last week (the proposed CP update presentation on
7/25/2023), a question was brought up about needing an additional review period regarding a substantial change to the draft plan. After consulting with staff and the PA Municipalities Planning Code, it was determined that another public meeting would need to be held in this case. Section 302. (b) of the PA MPC states that if a substantial change is made after the first public hearing regarding the proposed plan, the governing body shall hold an additional public hearing before proceeding to vote on the plan.”
Note that at the October 24, 2023 BTPC meeting the BT Historic Survey was discussed:
Bridgeton Township has received the completed Historic Survey containing photos, map, database and report for the historic resource survey update.
Per BTPC discussion: the historic survey will be included in the CP update by reference and text only; corrections/updates will be taken care of prior to referring to the BOS; a link to the historic survey will be put on the Bridgeton Township website; Roger Keller will take care of the abovementioned “details”.
This above decision on using the information regarding the Historic Survey, along with any other changes will need to be shared with Bryn-Erin Kerr.

The proposed Bridgeton Township Comprehensive Plan (CP):
-A link accessing the latest draft of the proposed CP update at:
https://app.sharebase.com/#/document/17422359/share/129-LdvO66PHtKf9n-n8IvrfvvqJGA4 is posted on the Bridgeton Township website and a copy of the CP draft available at the Bridgeton Township building.
-Public presentation of the proposed CP update was on 7/25/2023 via Zoom;
-The CP 45-day public comment period started 6/27/23 and is open until
8/12/23; with written comments sent to: info@bridgetontwp.org
~~~~~~~~~~~
As we updated our current 1994 Comp. Plan some of our thoughts were:
-What are Bridgeton’s challenges since last Twp Comp. Plan of 1994?
-Should the Comp Plan Map/pg. 31 be changed? How/in what way?
-Ref. the CP Map…What are Bridgeton Townships land use goals?
-Ref. the CP Map… What is our vision? “What do we want to be?”
-Decide what we DON’T want in the plan.
-What maps should be included and available as digital, GIS and paper
                
7) BT Planning Commissioners Comments:

8) Public comments

9) Adjournment

Agenda-for-BTPC-Dec.-5-2023-meetingDownload

Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Sept. 26th, 2023

Bridgeton Township Planning Commission
Minutes of the September 26, 2023 meeting
BTPC (PC): CC Hopf (Chair), Greg Gerhardt and Terry Brown.
Attending public: Kevin & Linnea McIntyre, Rick & Iris Lewis, Eric & Gabrielle Wallace
and Christina Kennedy.
I. Call to order
CC Hopf called the meeting to order at 7.40 pm. Zoom was unavailable at this meeting.

II. Requests from the public to be heard on the September 26, 2023 agenda:
Christina Kennedy read her husband, Jeff Porter’s written comments on how the STRs
help families locally and the STR’s spend money in our community. These comments
were repeated among the residents present; C C Hopf suggested for Jeff Porter’s
written comments to be forward to Bridgeton Twp. at info@BridgetonTwp.org.
Gabrielle Wallace asked how she can get appointed to the BTPC.
Printed copies of the draft STR ordinance were made available at the BTPC meeting for
the public for their reference and questions were fielded with reference to the proposed
STR draft. Terry Brown shared there may be “unintended consequences”; the BTPC
suggested that the residents write proposed edits to the draft STR ordinance and
forward their suggested edits to the township.
As most are not familiar about township planning commissions, C C Hopf, shared:
as set by and in accordance with the PA. Municipal Planning Code (PA MPC) and the
Bridgeton Twp SALDO, Article IV, Section 401 – The Planning Commission is an
advisory entity to the township Supervisors charged with advising the Supervisors on
matters relating to planning and zoning, subdivisions and land development
applications, planning modules and proposed ordinances.
The BTPC may support a plan or not, or simply not have an opinion one way or another.
Either way, the Supervisors are not bound to agree with or act on any of the Planning
Commission’s recommendations, – but can/will consider the planning commission’s
insights.
In accordance with same, the BTPC has a set number of commissioners by law, which
at present is set at 5 members, all residents of Bridgeton Township.
Members of the public are welcome to share your comments on proposed ordinances,
subdivisions and land development applications, or matters relating to planning and
zoning and, or send your requests to volunteer to township committees to Bridgeton
Township at: info@BridgetonTwp.org .
III. Review of July 25, 2023 meeting minutes and the August 22, 2023 minutes.The
draft minutes from the July 25, 2023 meeting were reviewed. Greg Gerhardt moved for
approval of the minutes. The motion was seconded by CC Hopf. There were no
comments and the motion was approved unanimously, 3, 0.

The draft minutes from the August 22, 2023 meeting were reviewed. Greg Gerhardt
moved for approval of the minutes. The motion was seconded by CC Hopf. There were
no comments and the motion was approved unanimously, 3, 0.

IV. BTPC review of Bridgeton Township, Bucks County Pennsylvania draft
ordinance amending the Bridgeton Township Zoning Ordinance to permit and
regulate keeping and raising chickens as an accessory use.
The BTPC voted 3, 0 to not recommend or support amending Bridgeton Township’s
existing ordinance and referenced Bridgeton Township’s existing zoning ord.: Pg. 4-41
Pets, Keeping of, in particular Section d. calling for the maximum of 12 chickens and
Section h. more would be keeping of livestock… where our twp. Zoning ordinance goes
to Pg. 4-13 Livestock, Raising of (or Animal Husbandry). The Bridgeton’s Zoning also
goes further covering Pg. 4-26 Stable-Non-Household; Pg. 4-37 Fences & Walls.

V. BTPC review of Bridgeton Township, Bucks County Pennsylvania draft
Short-Term Rental Ordinance
The goal of the draft ordinance is to allow Bridgeton residents the opportunity for
short-term rentals of their own homes or accessory buildings, with certain restrictions.
Majority of the BTPC meeting was listening to residents during the public comments.

VI. The proposed Bridgeton Township Comprehensive Plan (CP) Update.
Discussion was postponed on the following:
-Discuss, edit the CP where needed: 1) the CP update public comments that were
received and 2) receipt of the completed Historic Survey containing photos, map,
database and report for the historic resource survey update.
-A link accessing the latest draft of the proposed CP update at:

https://app.sharebase.com/#/document/17422359/share/129-LdvO66PHtKf9n-
n8IvrfvvqJGA4 is posted on the Bridgeton Township website and a copy of the CP draft

available at the Bridgeton Township building.
-Public presentation of the proposed CP update was on 7/25/2023 via Zoom;
The CP 45-day public comment period started 6/27/23, open until 8/12/23.
IV. Public comment
V. Comments from the PC members
VI. Adjournment
With no further PC or public comments, Terry Brown moved that the meeting be
adjourned. The motion was seconded by Greg Gerhardt and passed unanimously. The
meeting was adjourned at 9.02 pm.

BTPC-minutes-from-Sept.-26-2023-mtgDownload

Proposed Short-Term Rental Ordinance

PlanningCommission

At tonight’s Planning Commission meeting the Short Term Rental draft ordinance is on the agenda where we will listen to public comments on this draft ord. again. 

Both the Planning Commission and the Supervisors have publicly requested written, if need be, line by line, suggested alternatives or edits to the draft short-term rental ordinance from Bridgeton residents.

ORDINANCE No. 2023- ____

AN ORDINANCE OF BRIDGETON TOWNSHIP, BUCKS COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA REGARDING THE REGISTRATION AND REGULATION OF SHORT TERM RENTALS IN BRIDGETON TOWNSHIP

ARTICLE I. Purpose. Bridgeton Township’s residents, businesses, property owners, and visitors value the many qualities of life that make Bridgeton a great place to live and visit. It is recognized that Short-term Rentals, when properly managed, can provide many economic benefits to Bridgeton Township Residents.  However, absent proper limitations and owner accountability, Short-term Rentals have the potential to negatively impact adjoining property owners, neighborhoods, and the community as a whole.

This Ordinance provides standards for the establishment of Short-term Rentals throughout Bridgeton Township. The regulations are intended to balance the economic opportunity created by short-term rentals with the need to maintain Bridgeton Township’s residential character and protect the rights and safety of owners, guests and neighbors.

ARTICLE II.  Definitions.

Autonomous Dwelling Unit.   A Residential Dwelling that is the Operator’s Primary Residence and being offered in its entirety as a Short-Term Rental. The Operator is not staying in the dwelling during the term of said rental.

Bridgeton Township Resident. A person whose Primary Residence is located in Bridgeton Township.

Operator.  A natural person who is the owner of a residential unit that seeks to offer said residential unit as a short-term rental.

Primary Residence. A Residential Dwelling owned by the Operator and in which an Operator resides for at least nine months out of a 12-month period. Primary residence shall be demonstrated by showing that as of the date of usage applying for registration or renewal as a short-term rental, the Operator has resided in said Residential Dwelling for nine of the past 12 months or that the Operator intends to reside in the Residential Dwelling for nine of the next 12 months, in accordance with the proof of primary residence requirements set forth below.

 Proof of Primary Residence. A copy of the deed, driver’s license or state issued identification, as well as one other document showing residency at the Residential Dwelling for the short-term rental, such as: utility bill, cable bill, motor vehicle registration, passport or tax return reflecting the address of the Residential Dwelling as the Primary Residence.  It is the burden of the applicant to demonstrate primary residency in the Township. After demonstrating proof of primary residency in the initial application, a declaration must be submitted to the zoning office on or before January 1st of every even-numbered year attesting to continued primary residency when the short-term rental is identified as such in the original application.

Residential Dwelling. A dwelling classified under as residential use, as those terms are defined in in the Bridgeton Township Zoning Code (the “Code”), including either the primary dwelling or a legally established accessory dwelling.  This term shall not include a hotel, motel or any other non-residential use.

 Shared Dwelling. A Residential Dwelling that is the Operator’s Primary Residence and only a portion of the Residential Dwelling is being offered as a Short-Term Rental. The Operator shall be staying on the property in which the Residential Dwelling or legally established accessory dwelling is located during the term of said rental.

Short-term Rental. The rental of a Residential Dwelling for its intended purpose, in exchange for payment as residential accommodations for a duration of fewer than 28 consecutive days. Such a rental may or may not be facilitated through the use of a booking agent.

Zoning Officer. Bridgeton Township Zoning Officer or his or her designee.

ARTICLE III.  REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OPERATION OF SHORT TERM RENTALS IN BRIDGETON TOWNSHIP 

No Residential Dwelling shall be offered as a short-term rental in Bridgeton Township, except as provided herein.

(a)  Permitted Districts. Short term rentals are permitted in all zoning districts where residential uses are permitted, as provided in the Bridgeton Township Zoning Ordinance.

(b). Permitted Dwellings Short-term rentals are permitted in legally established Primary Residence or a legally established accessory dwelling, that is permitted for residential use, as defined in the Bridgeton Township Zoning Ordinance.

(c)  Registration Requirement.   All Short-Term Rentals shall require a short-term rental permit from the Zoning Officer prior to the offering of a Primary Residence for a Short-term Rental.

(d)  Short-term Rental permit.  A Short-term Rental permit may be obtained for either the Primary Residence or an accessory dwelling legally established for residential use on the same Primary Residence property, but not both.

(e) Operator’s Primary Residence. Except as otherwise provided, a Residential Dwelling offered as a Short-term Rental must be the Operator’s Primary Residence, or an accessory dwelling legally established for residential use, located on the property of the Operator’s Primary Residence. It is the intent of these regulations to limit the ownership and operation of Short-term Rentals located throughout the Township to Bridgeton Township residents and to no more than one per individual, family living together, domestic partnership, those living as a family unit and/or acting as a principal in any business entity that has ownership of a Residential Dwelling. Assigning ownership and/or application for Short-term Rental use to separate individuals that are living together as a family, in a domestic partnership, or living as a family unit as a means of exceeding this limitation shall not be permitted.

(f) Exception to Section (e).  Where a current Bridgeton Township Resident has owned and operated a Short-term Rental on a second property (that is, a property that is not the Bridgeton Township resident’s Primary Residence) in two of the years 2019-2022, that Bridgeton Township Resident may continue to operate a Short-term Rental on the property for so long as: (i) he or she owns that property or owns the majority share of any entity in which the property was held during 2022 and; (ii) so long as that person remains a Bridgeton Township Residence. Such right may not be assigned or transferred and in the case where the property is held by an entity, the transfer of any part of the entity shall be deemed a transfer so as to extinguish the Bridgeton Township Resident’s right to operate a Short-term Rental on that property.  No Operator for whom this exception applies shall be permitted to operate more than one Short-term Rental in addition to her or his Primary Residence. It is the burden of the applicant to demonstrate that the second property has been used as a Short-term Rental in two of the years 2019-2022. 

(h) One party of renters. A Residential Dwelling offered as a Short-term Rental shall be rented to only one party of short-term renters at a time.  Bedrooms, beds or other spaces in a Residential Dwelling shall not be offered as a separate Short-term Rentals to separate parties at any given time.

(i) Number of short-term renters. A Residential Dwelling offered as a Short-term Rental shall be limited to ten guests, or two guests per guest bedroom, whichever is fewer.

(j) Short-term rental Sharing a Residence.  An Operator may offer bedrooms to a single renter as a Short-term Rental, within his or her Residential Dwelling, three hundred and sixty five (365) days per year. One bedroom in the Residential Dwelling shall be reserved for, and occupied by, the Operator during the entire term of the rental.

(k) Short-term Rental of a Residential Dwelling. When the Operator is not present (Autonomous Dwelling).   Short-term Rentals shall not exceed in the aggregate, ninety (90) consecutive or nonconsecutive calendar days per year, when the Operator is not occupying the Residential Dwelling during the entire term of the Short-term Rental for Autonomous Dwelling including an accessory dwelling legally permitted for a residential use.

(l) Rental period and use. Renting for an hourly rate, or for rental durations of fewer than ten consecutive hours shall not be permitted.

(m) Events.

1.  Short-term Rentals must not include weddings, banquets, parties, charitable fundraising, or other commercial events or gatherings for direct or indirect compensation. The intent of Short-term Rentals is to provide transient accommodations and allow for limited accessory uses. These limited accessory uses must be consistent with typical residential uses as defined in the Bridgeton Township Zoning Ordinance.

2. Small, informal noncommercial gatherings of family and friends of Short-term Rental guests are permitted, provided the gathering is not a disturbance to the surrounding neighborhood.

(o). Safety. The Operator shall confirm that the Residential Dwelling to be rented to overnight guests meets the following requirements:

1. Each bedroom must comply with building code requirements for a sleeping room that were in place when the Residential Dwelling was legally established;

2. Each bedroom must have a smoke alarm that is interconnected with a smoke detector in an adjacent hallway that is in the Residential Dwelling; and

3. Each bedroom must be located on the floor of a Residential Dwelling that is equipped with a functioning carbon monoxide alarm. If the Residential Dwelling does not have fuel burning equipment or an attached garage, a carbon monoxide alarm is not required.

(p). Renewal. Short-term Rental permits must be renewed on or before January 1st of every even-numbered year.  The fee for a Short-term Rental permit shall be established from time to time by the Board of Supervisors and set forth on the Bridgeton Township fee schedule.

(q). No transferability. Short-term Rental permits are not transferable to any other person including but not limited to another Operator, entity or to another location.

(r). Permit Revocation and Penalties.

1.. If an Operator fails to comply with the regulations provided in this Ordinance and conditions of approval, the Zoning Officer shall work with the applicant to achieve voluntary compliance. If voluntary compliance cannot be achieved, the Zoning Officer may revoke a Short-term Rental permit for failure to comply with the regulations of this section. Any such decision may be appealed to the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bridgeton Township Zoning Ordinance with regard to zoning appeals. 

2. No outstanding violations. The Residential Dwelling offered as a Short-term Rental shall not have any outstanding building, sanitary, zoning, or fire code violations, orders of abatement, or stop work orders, or other requirements, laws, or regulations that prohibit the Operator from offering the Residential Dwelling as a Short-term Rental. If a violation or other order is issued after a certificate of registration is issued, upon notice of said violation or order, the Zoning Officer shall suspend the permit for a Short-term Rental and any Short-term Rental in progress shall be immediately terminated until the violation has been cured or otherwise resolved.

3. A new Short-term Rental permit will not be issued to the Operator of a revoked Short-term Rental until two (2) years from the time of revocation have passed.

4.  Penalties; enforcement. (a) No person or entity may offer a residential unit as a Short-term Rental in violation of this Ordinance. Operating a Short-term Rental without a permit shall be penalized by a fine of $200 per day for the first offense and $500 per day for each subsequent offense.

(s) Compliance and interaction with other laws. Operators shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and codes, including but not limited to the Fair Housing Act, G.L. c. 151B and local equivalents and regulations related thereto, and all other regulations applicable to residential dwellings.

(t) Retention of records. The Operator shall retain and make available to the Zoning Officer, upon written request, records to demonstrate compliance with this Ordinance, including but not limited to: records demonstrating the number of months that the Operator has resided or will reside in Residential Dwelling, if applicable; records showing consent of the owner of the Residential Dwelling to its use as a Short-term Rental, if applicable; and records demonstrating number of days per year that the Residential Dwelling is offered as a Short-term Rental. The Operator shall retain such records for as long as he or she desires to use the Residential Dwelling as a Short-term Rental.

(u) Notifications. The Operator shall post and maintain a sign on the inside of the Short-term Rental on the entry level, visible to and reasonably likely to be readily accessed by individuals utilizing the Short-term Rental, with contact information for the Operator, insurance information, dates and times the Operator is not present at the Residential Dwelling, the contact information for a locally available contact designated to respond to all emergencies and problems that may arise during the rental period.

v) All applicable provisions of the Bridgeton Township Municipal, Building and Zoning Codes related to residential uses shall apply to Short-term Rentals, including owner occupancy requirements.

(w) Relationship to Other Sections of the Code. The provisions of this section apply in addition to the provisions of any other code provision or ordinance. Where there is a conflict, the more restrictive provision applies.

(x) Severability. If any provision in this Ordinance shall be held to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, then such provision shall be considered separately and apart from the remaining provisions, which shall remain in full force and effect. 

Effective date. The provisions of this Ordinance shall take effect 60 days after its adoption. 

Bridgeton-Short-Term-Ordinance-Draft-1.2DMS-with-minor-WDH-edits-all-accepted15891-1Download

Planning Commission Meeting Tuesday, Oct. 24th at 7:30 pm, Township Building

PlanningCommission

Bridgeton Township Planning Commission Agenda for October 24, 2023

1) Call to order at 7:30 p.m. 

Hybrid meeting: Live at the Bridgeton Township building and on Zoom.

2) Requests from the public to be heard on the October 24, 2023 agenda;

Please note that written comments may be sent to:  info@bridgetontwp.org 

3) Review and approval of the September 26, 2023 draft minutes.

4) BTPC review of a draft of the Bridgeton Township Short-Term Rental Ordinance.

The goal of the draft ordinance is to allow Bridgeton Residents the opportunity for short-term rentals of their own homes or accessory buildings, with certain restrictions.  

5) The Bridgeton Twp. Comprehensive Plan update; Roger Keller, Lead:

>The proposed Bridgeton Township Comprehensive Plan (CP):

-A link accessing the latest draft of the proposed CP update at: https://app.sharebase.com/#/document/17422359/share/129-LdvO66PHtKf9n-n8IvrfvvqJGA4  is posted on the Bridgeton Township website and a copy of the CP draft available at the Bridgeton Township building.

-Public presentation of the proposed CP update was on 7/25/2023 via Zoom;              -The CP 45-day public comment period started 6/27/23 and is open until 8/12/23; with written comments sent to:  info@bridgetontwp.org

-Discuss: 1) the CP update public comments that were received and 2) receipt of the completed Historic Survey containing photos, map, database and report for the historic resource survey update.

Note: Per the 8/1/2023 email from Bryn-Erin Kerr, Planner at the BCPC:

“At our meeting last week (the proposed CP update presentation on 7/25/2023), a question was brought up about needing an additional review period regarding a substantial change to the draft plan. After consulting with staff and the PA Municipalities Planning Code, it was determined that another public meeting would need to be held in this case. Section 302. (b) of the PA MPC states that if a substantial change is made after the first public hearing regarding the proposed plan, the governing body shall hold an additional public hearing before proceeding to vote on the plan.” 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As we updated our current 1994 Comp. Plan some of our thoughts were:

-What are Bridgeton’s challenges since last Twp Comp. Plan of 1994?

-Should the Comp Plan Map/pg. 31 be changed? How/in what way?

-Ref. the CP Map…What are Bridgeton Townships land use goals?

-Ref. the CP Map… What is our vision?  “What do we want to be?”

-Decide what we DON’T want in the plan.

-What maps should be included and available as digital, GIS and paper

>A few census stats from:  The U.S. Census, type “Bridgeton Township, Bucks County, PA” into their search bar. https://data.census.gov/cedsci/          

>The county data portal includes a parcel viewer, pipeline viewer, county documents, historical aerials, ag. and open space properties mapping: https://dataportal-bucksgis.opendata.arcgis.com/#County%20Initiatives

>The parcel viewer has a number of useful overlays, including various imagery, zoning, land use, and natural resources: https://bucksgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=2eda3020dd9847eaa00d1d6c0764a607

>The 2011  County Comprehensive Plan  explores issues on a regional basis.

>With the 2020 census completed, the latest County CP info. updates at:  www.bucks2040.com  and   https://bucks2040-bucksgis.hub.arcgis.com/     

6) BT Planning Commissioners Comments: 

7) Public comments

8) Adjournment                

Agenda-for-BTPC-October-24-2023-meetingDownload

Planning Commission Meeting Tuesday, Sept. 26th at 7:30 pm, Township Building

PlanningCommission

The next Bridgeton Twp. Planning Commission/BTPC meeting is today, Tuesday, Sept 26th at 7:30 pm .

This BTPC meeting will be live at the Township Building

Bridgeton Township Planning Commission Agenda for September 26, 2023

1) Call to order at 7:30 p.m.  Zoom will not be available this evening.

2) Requests from the public to be heard on the Sept. 26, 2023 agenda;

note that written comments may be sent to:  info@bridgetontwp.org 

3) Review and approval of the July 25, 2023 draft minutes; and the review and approval of the August 22, 2023 draft minutes reflecting that the

August 22, 2023 BTPC meeting was cancelled due to the lack of a quorum.

4) BTPC review of Bridgeton Township, Bucks County Pennsylvania draft ordinance amending the Bridgeton Township Zoning Ordinance to permit and regulate keeping and raising chickens as an accessory use.

Our existing zoning ordinances: Pg. 4-41 Pets, keeping of, in particular please review d., and h.; plus other input from our Zoning Ordinance:      Pg. 4-13 Livestock, Raising of (or Animal Husbandry); Pg. 4-26 Stable-Non Household; Pg. 4-37 Fences & Walls.

5) BTPC review of a draft of the Bridgeton Township Short-Term Rental Ordinance.

The goal of the draft ordinance is to allow Bridgeton Residents the opportunity for short-term rentals of their own homes or accessory buildings, with certain restrictions.  

6) The Bridgeton Twp. Comprehensive Plan update; Roger Keller, Lead:

>The proposed Bridgeton Township Comprehensive Plan (CP):

-A link accessing the latest draft of the proposed CP update at: https://app.sharebase.com/#/document/17422359/share/129-LdvO66PHtKf9n-n8IvrfvvqJGA4  is posted on the Bridgeton Township website and a copy of the CP draft available at the Bridgeton Township building.

-Public presentation of the proposed CP update was on 7/25/2023 via Zoom;              -The CP 45-day public comment period started 6/27/23, open until 8/12/23; with written comments sent to:  info@bridgetontwp.org

-Discuss: 1) the CP update public comments that were received and 2) receipt of the completed Historic Survey containing photos, map, database and report for the historic resource survey update.

Note: Per the 8/1/2023 email from Bryn-Erin Kerr, Planner at the BCPC:

“At our meeting last week (the proposed CP update presentation on 7/25/2023), a question was brought up about needing an additional review period regarding a substantial change to the draft plan. After consulting with staff and the PA Municipalities Planning Code, it was determined that another public meeting would need to be held in this case. Section 302. (b) of the PA MPC states that if a substantial change is made after the first public hearing regarding the proposed plan, the governing body shall hold an additional public hearing before proceeding to vote on the plan.” 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As we updated our current 1994 Comp. Plan some of our thoughts were:

-What are Bridgeton’s challenges since last Twp Comp. Plan of 1994?

-Should the Comp Plan Map/pg. 31 be changed? How/in what way?

-Ref. the CP Map…What are Bridgeton Townships land use goals?

-Ref. the CP Map… What is our vision?  “What do we want to be?”

-Decide what we DON’T want in the plan.

-What maps should be included and available as digital, GIS and paper

>A few census stats from:  The U.S. Census, type “Bridgeton Township, Bucks County, PA” into their search bar. https://data.census.gov/cedsci/          

>The county data portal includes a parcel viewer, pipeline viewer, county documents, historical aerials, ag. and open space properties mapping: https://dataportal-bucksgis.opendata.arcgis.com/#County%20Initiatives

>The parcel viewer has a number of useful overlays, including various imagery, zoning, land use, and natural resources: https://bucksgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=2eda3020dd9847eaa00d1d6c0764a607

>The 2011  County Comprehensive Plan  explores issues on a regional basis.

>With the 2020 census completed, the latest County CP info. updates at:  www.bucks2040.com  and   https://bucks2040-bucksgis.hub.arcgis.com/     

7) BT Planning Commissioners Comments: 

The next BTPC meeting will be on Tuesday, October 24, 2023.

8) Public comments

9) Adjournment               

Poultry-Ordinance-Bridgeton-1.015841Download
Agenda-for-BTPC-September-26-2023-meetingDownload
Bridgeton-Short-Term-Ordinance-Draft-1.2DMS-with-minor-WDH-edits-all-accepted15891Download