At its May 1 meeting, Trumbauersville Borough Council addressed concerns of borough residents that relate to a possible zoning change presented to its planning commission months ago. 

            Bracalente Manufacturing Group, a third-generation manufacturing company that has existed in Trumbauersville for 75 years, seeks to change the zoning on a parcel of land, approximately 9.45 acres located in the borough and an additional 11.9 acres located in Milford Township, from residential to limited industrial (LI).  Bracalente's headquarters sit on approximately 5.39 acres that have a pre-existing, non-conforming use because the property was constructed prior to borough zoning codes.

            The property in question is currently used for agriculture.  It is uncertain if the soils on the property are agriculturally significant.  It is expected that the Trumbauersville planning commission, an advisory body to the elected borough council, will meet on either May 21 or 22 to discuss the zoning change from residential to limited industrial.  If the planning commission approves the zoning change, the borough council will decide the issue. 

            Council Vice President Ed Child explained that if the planning commission declines to approve the zoning change, Bracalente has the right to appeal to the zoning board.  If the issue comes before the zoning board, residents who would be impacted by the zoning change should enter their appearance as a party to the proceedings. 

            Usually, a requirement of 500 feet is necessary to obtain party status.  Residents can ask questions as a party to the hearing.  Additionally, they can present their own expert witnesses. 

            If the zoning board does not approve the zoning change, the applicant can appeal the decision to the Bucks County Common Pleas Court.  Residents who entered their appearance as a party have a right to be a party to the appeal at the Bucks County Common Pleas Court. 

            Similarly, if the zoning board approves the zoning change to limited industrial, the residents who entered their appearance at the zoning hearing as a party can appeal the zoning board decision to the Bucks County Common Pleas Court. 

            Vice President Child noted that the zoning board is independent of the borough council.  It is a quasi-judicial body that is ethically charged to be unbiased. 

            The members cannot discuss the issue with anyone, including each other, prior to the zoning hearing.  They must weigh the evidence of all sides to render their decision.  No member of the borough council or the planning commission can hold a seat on the zoning board.  However, the borough council can hold two seats on the planning commission.

            The borough council explained that there are many hurdles a zoning change must overcome.  There is the question of infrastructure, traffic from the site, if there are equivalent dwelling units (EDUs) available for sewer service, and how much water the borough is expected to provide if the zoning change is approved. 

            Child observed that the planning commission must decide if the zoning change is out of character for the neighborhood. 

            Mayor James Black noted the municipalities planning code requires municipalities to consider the overall character of a community.  

            Child reminded residents that the members of the borough council are their neighbors who also live in the borough.

            Due to the upcoming election on May 20, the planning commission meeting will be rescheduled for either May 21 or 22

            In other matters, for Trumbauersville to obtain grants for upgrades to its well in the future, the borough must provide a study.  The borough council discussed, but made no decision, on a proposed facility study by the borough engineer, Cowan Associates, for upgrades to the borough well that would occur after 2029.  The cost of the study, if approved, will not exceed $9,410.