Agenda
Roll Call – Joe, Sean, Sid, Andrea, Stephen, Scott.
Minutes – October Meeting Notes approved.
Planning Commission Seats – Open seats (1) to be continued to be advertised, no interest to date.
Terms are expiring at end of 2025 for Joe and Sidd, Borough Council will also be submitting two new liaisons.
No Updates
- Borough Comprehensive Planning
- Grants Research – Rutledge Resiliency Hub
- Rutledge Participation in the CPRG (Climate Pollution Reduction Grants) Program
- Triangle Park
Zoning Set Back
Currently, the setbacks are 25 feet from the property line. However, it was discovered that many of the deeds have the property line unevenly determined. The proposed change to zoning from Rutledge Borough Council would be to make it 50 feet from the center line of the street.
Intent would be to adjust zoning ordinances to better capture the intent and avoid unnecessary zoning hearings that are costly for the borough.
Planning Commission 2026
Role and Scope of Planning Commission
Radar Plan
- Scope of Control – What do we, Rutledge, control, influence, or have no control of?
- Domains: Stephen identified 15 domains and assigned some indicators to build out our radar.
1. Health, Safety & Emergency Systems
2. Infrastructure, Utilities & Energy
3. Environment, Ecology & Pollution
4. Food Systems & Local Security
5. Housing, Land Use & Homelessness
6. Economy, Work & Technology
7. Transportation & Mobility
8. Education, Childcare & Lifelong Learning
9. Community Life, Well-Being & Culture
10. Governance, Finance & Inter-Municipal Relations
11. Demographics & Social Change
12. Technology, Data & Information Integrity
13. Neighboring & Regional Dependencies
14. Environment & Sustainability (PRP/BMP Alignment)
15. Cross-Cutting “Radar Indicators”
Discussion:
- Possible actions: Setting up opportunities to raise points—is there anything new and in need of attention?
- What are the BIG three for each of us?
- What are the things we have NOT already provided recommendations to the borough focus?
- Need to develop the radar so that we can determine what needs to be focused.
Environmental Advisory Council
- Discussion around bandwidth and interest—how can we get volunteering?
- Organization w/o leader—do we have groundswell?
- What ownerships fall to council? How can we fold it into regular council cycle tasks?
- What about student interaction?
- Neighboring boroughs can be found: EAC | WeConservePA
- Organization w/o leader—do we have groundswell?
Action Item:
New Business:
Public Comment:
- 2026 Adhoc Historic Committee
- George T Raymond House – The adhoc Historic Committee is interested in getting a plaque set up recognizing the history ofthe first Black resident in Rutledge.
- Summary: When he was about move in, the house burnt down. Arson was suspected but never proven. Rutledge Borough Council attempted to reclaim the house via eminent domain, claiming they would be moving Borough Hall. Raymond was able to get an injunction and in exchange for him dropping the suit, council let him move in. He lived here until his death in 1999. Case was predecessor to fair housing act in PA.
- Question from the committee: There is some interest here, but committee is looking to understand more about the scope and how much community involvement should be involved.
- Representatives share a set of dates for potential activities in 2026, including Flag Raising in early January, speaker series, and Independence Week
- Planning Commission members share enthusiasm for historical placard, share commentary about keeping events going so they are in view, recommendation to plan to stay sustainable—scalable—as they plan.
Adjourn
Adjournment at 9:00PM