TimesLeader.com

HARVEYS LAKE BOROUGH

October 25

Boathouse matter causes ripple effect

By EILEEN GODIN Dallas Post Correspondent

Definition of a boathouse caused a rippled effect of frustration among lakefront property owners at the borough council meeting Tuesday night.

Lakefront property owners came out to voice their disapproval of the passing of a new zoning ordinance defining a boat house as a “structure constructed completely over a body of water, designed and used exclusively to shelter water craft or marine-related equipment.”

The new definition of a boathouse was included in the updated zoning manual approved in May but many lakefront property owners would like to see the definition be expanded to include bathrooms and other amenities.

Residents complained they did not know the terminology was being discussed at that time and volunteered their services to sit with the board and hash out a new definition.

Council President Lawrence Lucarino said council members became aware of the problem and are working to redefine boathouses.

“This will take a while,” he said.

Borough Attorney Charles McCormick said the definition was generated by a desire to prohibit people from building homes on the water.

John Hilbing III, owner of Summit Point Builders, challenged council members by saying the 12 foot height requirement with a flat roof for boathouses is going to make the area look like “a shanty town”.

Council member Betty Jane West said she is not a lakefront property owner but would still like to enjoy the view of the lake.

“You do not own that view,” Hilbing said.

This caused the crowded meeting room to erupt into low grumblings from residents. Some were visibly appalled while others said they pay enough in taxes for the view.

Resident Lynn Banta said she paid a hefty price for the property and land value and, if the definition of boathouse stands, “you will be diminishing land values.”

“We pay a lot, a lot, in taxes to use the land in the way we want,” she said.

Other residents added some lakefront property owners have landscaping materials that prohibit a view of the lake from the road.

Lucarino said council wants to maintain a clean lake and will work to iron out the issue but that may take a few months.

McCormick said if bathrooms become allowable, residents must already have a sewer hook-up or be placed on the Department of Environmental Protection’s waiting list.

As of August, the borough has a waiting list of about 15 sewer hook-up applications. The sewer authority is in the process of inspecting for ground water leaks into the sewer system, said Sewer Authority Manager and Borough Mayor Richard Boice.

Boice said the borough will receive $550,000 through the Pennsylvania H2O grant to help seal off ground water leakage by 500,000 gallons, a move that could reopen sewer hook-up permits.

In other news, resident Kevin Carty of Lakeside Drive received the green light to go green and install a small windmill.

The borough adopted a detailed ordinance governing small wind turbines over a year ago. Carty will meet all the requirements, including a stipulation added by council.

Lucarino said if the turbine generates too much noise, Carty must dismantle it.

Lucarino and Carty said neighboring residents did not have any opposition.

The next meeting of the Harveys Lake Borough Council will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the municipal building.