Remaining Notes from Monday’s PT Council Meeting

and were the hot topic issues discussed at Monday night’s regular meeting of Peters Township Council. But those aren’t the only topics that were discussed.

Here are some key points that were also raised at the meeting:

Edward Courtney Gets His Christmas Wish

Peters Township resident Edward Courtney had requested from council permission to sell Christmas trees at St. Petersburg Center from Nov. 28 to Christmas. Because the area in which he sought to sell the trees was zoned for general commercial uses, a special permit was required to sell Christmas trees at the location.

Courtney’s request stated that he wanted to display trees at the front and back of the location.

Council unanimously voted to grant Courtney the permit, with the stipulation that his displays not interfere with traffic.

Eric Stewart Should Shed the Shed

Buffalo Ridge Drive resident Eric Stewart requested that council grant him relief from encroachment for a pool and shed that extend from his private property to encroach upon the township’s open space property.

After much discussion by council and township administrators, it was determined that the shed, and any other non-fixed structures, must be removed in order to no longer encroach on the township’s open space.

As per the encroachment consequent of Stewart’s pool, which councilman David Ball referred to as a “fixed permanent structure,” council’s debate waged on.

Councilman Frank Acruri was concerned that, should Stewart be allowed to encroach, adjacent property owners might seek the same type of exception.

Arcuri asked if it was possible to sell the encroached space to Stewart, to which township manager Michael Silvestri responded that such a sale would require the acquisence from all other Manor property owners, as said owners have a vested interest in the open space that was designated at the times of their purchases.

Solicitor W.A. Johnson said that a license would be preferable to a sale or relief from encroachment. But Councilman Robert Lewis asked how one resident could be granted such a license without granting it to others.

Because discussion continued on for some time, and since Stewart was not present to speak before council, council chairman Robert Atkison suggested that council move on to address other issues and give Stewart his remaining time to comply with the township’s letter addressing his encroachment.

Council agreed to move on.

To Grade or Not to Grade?

Old Trail 12 property owner and developer Taylor requested permission from council to not grade an access path to the open space beyond his property. The path would be an easement between two lots.

Silvestri explained that the properties in question involve an easement across Taylor’s property, by which people can access township open space.

According to the applicable ordinance standards, Taylor would be required to grade his lawn in a way that M.A Zematus described as resembling a “V,” requiring him to grade not only the access path but also lawn space around it.

The access path would also require the placement of shrubs.

Silvestri said that Taylor is asking to not grade his lawn and to not be required to place the shrubs. Taylor is not requesting to nullify the easement, or to remove markers, said Silvestri.

The easement would still exist, easement markers would still be place and people could still traverse the path to access township open space.

Lewis asked whether there would be any township liability regarding the condition of the easement path and whether or not it was a walking surface.

Township administrator E.J. Zuk said that the law did not require a “walking surface,” per se, but, rather, just a gradation in the grass that allowed for a path.

Arcuri made a motion that council permit Taylor to not grade and not shrub his property. The motion carried unanimously, six to zero considering the absence of councilwoman Monica Merrell.

Peters Police Get Props

Chairman Atkison said that the .

He and council members reiterated that the PTPD has been honored with similar awards numerous times over the past decade, and that this reward was another well-received accomplishment.