The Polk Township supervisors held two public hearings and a conditional use hearing Monday evening before their monthly board meeting.

The conditional use hearing, in which the Lord Is Exalted Church sought use of a building in a residential zoning area, included testimony from two passionate members.

“I moved here 17 years ago. I was looking for a church. I saw an ad in the local paper. I went there and watched them work with youth and senior citizens. I am 71 years old. The pastor comes to shovel snow, cut grass and other ways to show love,” said Idella Mable.

She continued to explain the youth programs they have, including one in the summer.

Meredith Francis spoke about how the church collects and gives out clothes and food to needy families. She has had the opportunity to work with the youth.

“We are a resourceful church for the people. I could go on all night about our church family,” she said.

Pastor Christopher DuBose and his wife, Shauntise, purchased the former Wild Rose Country Line Dancing Club, 361 Interchange Road, from Judy and Ken Schuler in July 2021.

The Lord is Exalted Church has existed since 2000. Its original home was in the Tannersville/Bartonsville area. He described it as a multipurpose Christian center and church that supports the community.

“Worshipping the Lord is our main objective,” said DuBose, who also oversees churches in New York. “We are grateful and thankful to now be part of Polk Township.”

He shared with the supervisors that spiritual services are held Sundays at 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the building. He provides online church services on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Township solicitor James Fareri suggested that the supervisors approve the conditional use but under a few conditions. Due to its limited septic tank, occupancy can be no greater than 66 people at a time. They cannot use the kitchen. If the occupancy grows or they want to use the kitchen, they need to enhance the septic. They need to obtain the Highway Occupancy Permit, which DuBose said the process is close to completion and he will get the certificate. And they need to comply with all other Polk Township ordinances.

The supervisors agreed with the conditions and voted 3-0 to allow the church to continue using the building.

“You’re going to outgrow this place. You have a great following, as seen here tonight,” supervisor Carl Heckman told DuBose and the handful of people who accompanied him to the hearing.

Solar power discussion

Chairman Brian Ahner explained that solar power facilities are permitted now in certain zoning areas and this amendment expands the areas in which the facilities are allowed.

The amendment includes certain regulations, landscaping conditions, utility lines would have to be underground and proper warning signs must be visible at multiple places on the property.

It amends the schedule of uses in the industrial district by adding “solar power generation, commercial” to the list of conditional uses.

There was no testimony from the audience. An attorney and two representatives from Samsung Solar, who are working on an application to build a new facility in the township, were present at the hearing.

The supervisors did not vote during the hearing, but waited to do so during the first part of their board meeting at 7 p.m. They voted 3-0 in favor of adopting the zoning amendment.

Other business

The hearing regarding zoning and SALDO amendments, amendment to medical marijuana ordinance and establishment of a nuisance fire alarms ordinance was brief. The zoning amendments included a new section stating that, “Recreational vehicles, campers and tents may not be utilized as a short-term rental under any circumstances.”

It also has updated language pertaining to recreational cabins, storage units, township road bonds and timber harvesting prerequisites. The township road bonds amendments were also in the SALDO.

A section describing the purpose, district regulations, definitions, use regulations, statutory and regulatory requirements, severability and penalties was added to the medical marijuana ordinance. Two sections containing schedules of uses were amended.

The purpose of the false fire alarm ordinance is to “facilitate the reduction of false fire alarms and the misuse of the manpower and resources of the fire department caused by the dispatch of units to the scene of a false alarm,” it states.

The ordinance includes fines for false alarms. Upon the first occurrence, there will be a $100 fine. The second false alarm will have a $200 fine. The penalty will not exceed $1,000. The fine must be paid to the township within 14 days. A separate fine will occur if the fine is not paid.

All the ordinances are on the township website, www.polktwp.org.