A large area of Pleasant Township may be rezoned in the near future.

A property rezoning consultation with resident Rick Rista was held with Mike Lyon, Warren County planning and zoning officer, Ben MaHaffey, new Pleasant zoning officer, and township supervisors during a recent meeting to discuss several parcels on Camp Street, Creekwood Drive and McKinley Avenue.

“What we would like to do is to rezone that property from an R1 designation to a Agriculture, Conservation, Recreation (ACR) designation,” explained Rista. “Along with our request, we have also spoken to several other landowners who would like to be included in the rezoning petition, altogether including approximately 680 acres of different properties.”

According to Supervisor Chairman Arden Knapp, after the application to start the rezoning process has been submitted; the first step would be to see if some of the other property owners would officially agree and then the recommendation could be made before the Warren County Planning Commission.

On Rista’s property is the decommissioned Pleasant Township School, an old elementary school building, which sat dormant for 18 years. Rista would like to convert the space into a storage area, garage but is unable due to the building’s current zoning as R1. He stated that he looked into just demolishing the building, however the price was “astronomical.”

“If the property could be rezoned, the school would be in use once again and then would be continued to be cared for with repairs made instead of it continuing to sit and decay,” said Rista.

Rista has already begun the rezoning process; he came before the supervisors Tuesday as a courtesy, to make them aware of his plans and to ask for their support with the county.

In other business, Pleasant Township Spring Clean Up Day will be held from 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the Pleasant Township Municipal building. Pleasant Township residents can bring any articles to discard with the following exceptions: no household garbage; no shingles/roofing materials; no tires; no hazardous materials such as chemicals, biohazards, paints, thinners or oil; and no electronics. Car batteries, scrap metal and used motor oil will be collected and palletized separately. Gasses and chemicals must be removed from refrigerators, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, etc. Those bringing items to be disposed of should bring their driver’s license, as they will be checked to verify residency. The fee for a car is $10; for a pick-up truck is $20; and anything bigger than a pick-up truck will be $30. Pleasant Township volunteer firefighters plan to assist and will be accepting donations for the fire department.

– A township resident addressed the supervisors to discuss an issue he is having where the down spouts on the property next to his are dumping stormwater directly into his yard on Calendar Street.

“The house was recently sold, so I’m going to try and work with whoever moves in,” the resident said. “I just want you guys to know what is going on because it is a problem with the water dumping directly into my yard.”

After some discussion, the supervisors decided to notify the agent in charge of selling the property so that a fix can be put directly into the closing paperwork. That way the new owners would know it is currently a stormwater violation which needs to be corrected.”

– the township received nine well permit notifications that were issued in Mead township and three that were issued in Pleasant township.

– According to Lee Ann Adams, township secretary/treasurer, the Mohawk Sewer Project right away from the creek to Pleasant Township was completed and recorded. The USDA was sent a copy of the transfer receipt.

– A requested letter was written in support of the proposed amendment to the Warren County Comprehensive Plan to adopt a policy of no net loss of private property. This proposed amendment is to the Warren County Comprehensive Plan, which was originally adopted late in 2023.

– Allegheny Community Broadband sent an update of status on the project. Construction is projected to be started in late summer and be completed by the end of the year — with customers being connected to broadband by early fall.

– According to the supervisors, the Tax Collection Committee voted in opposition to the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) Resolution #24-26. The resolution, if passed, would oppose township supervisors from choosing the area’s tax collector(s).

– Concerning Emergency Management Coordinators shared by multiple townships: Mead Township responded with a proposal of a payment of $1,200 per year with an additional $25 per hour for any specific training for Pleasant Township. Pleasant officials said they are waiting on Conewango’s proposal.

“We will have to negotiate this. I think we need to split this multiple ways, between all the townships. Let’s table this discussion until the next meeting,” said Knapp.

– The Allegheny Forest Alliance presentation from the recent Council of Governments meeting was discussed, including the previous donation in the amount of $225.05 made in 2023 and the $100 donated in 2022. This year’s donation amount was tabled until all receipts pertaining to the proceeds from timber sales could be compiled.

The next scheduled Pleasant Township Supervisors meeting at 1 p.m. on April 23 at the Pleasant Township Municipal building at 8 Chari Lane.