Lock Haven council adopts stormwater, sewer ordinances and related fees
April 03, 2023 | Lock Haven, Clinton County, Pennsylvania
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Lock Haven City Council adopted a new stormwater management ordinance and amended the city’s sewer inspection and installation rules during its April 3 meeting, approving a companion fee resolution and a staged compliance schedule after questions from council members about property impacts.
The council voted unanimously to adopt ordinance number 2023-03, described by staff as a DEP-model standard that applies prospectively to improvements after the ordinance’s effective date. Staff emphasized the ordinance is not retroactive. "This is for any improvements that take place after this goes into effect," a staff presenter said when introducing the measure.
Council then approved resolution 2023-11, which sets administrative and application fees tied to the stormwater ordinance. According to staff, the fees are intended to reimburse the city for actual costs, with an administrative filing fee to help offset advertising expenses required for public comment periods.
On a separate item, council considered ordinance number 2023-04 to amend chapter 328 (sewers) to provide standards for inspection and installation. Members raised concerns about timing for properties already under contract and whether noninvasive camera inspections would reliably determine compliance. One council member asked how many properties would be immediately noncompliant; staff said they would know only after inspections and that the city’s camera inspection can show functionality but may not reveal construction details.
To address those concerns, council members agreed to an amendment that enacted some sections upon adoption and delayed others (specifically section 328-related provisions) to take effect 90 days after adoption, giving property owners a window to adjust. The amended motion was seconded and approved by recorded votes.
Votes at a glance:
- Ordinance 2023-03 (stormwater management), adopted — vote recorded as unanimous "Yes."
- Resolution 2023-11 (fees tied to stormwater ordinance), adopted — vote recorded as unanimous "Yes."
- Ordinance 2023-04 (sewer inspection/installation), amended and adopted with staged effective dates — vote recorded as unanimous "Yes."
What happens next: staff will publish the adopted ordinances and post the fee schedule; the 90-day delay for portions of the sewer ordinance gives residents and property sellers time to plan for inspections and any needed repairs. Staff also noted that the sewer collection foreman holds DEEP wastewater collection certification and will be involved in implementation.
Council did not identify additional follow-up votes at this meeting on these ordinances. Implementation details, including inspection procedures and timelines for properties under contract, will be handled through staff guidance and future agenda items if needed.
The council voted unanimously to adopt ordinance number 2023-03, described by staff as a DEP-model standard that applies prospectively to improvements after the ordinance’s effective date. Staff emphasized the ordinance is not retroactive. "This is for any improvements that take place after this goes into effect," a staff presenter said when introducing the measure.
Council then approved resolution 2023-11, which sets administrative and application fees tied to the stormwater ordinance. According to staff, the fees are intended to reimburse the city for actual costs, with an administrative filing fee to help offset advertising expenses required for public comment periods.
On a separate item, council considered ordinance number 2023-04 to amend chapter 328 (sewers) to provide standards for inspection and installation. Members raised concerns about timing for properties already under contract and whether noninvasive camera inspections would reliably determine compliance. One council member asked how many properties would be immediately noncompliant; staff said they would know only after inspections and that the city’s camera inspection can show functionality but may not reveal construction details.
To address those concerns, council members agreed to an amendment that enacted some sections upon adoption and delayed others (specifically section 328-related provisions) to take effect 90 days after adoption, giving property owners a window to adjust. The amended motion was seconded and approved by recorded votes.
Votes at a glance:
- Ordinance 2023-03 (stormwater management), adopted — vote recorded as unanimous "Yes."
- Resolution 2023-11 (fees tied to stormwater ordinance), adopted — vote recorded as unanimous "Yes."
- Ordinance 2023-04 (sewer inspection/installation), amended and adopted with staged effective dates — vote recorded as unanimous "Yes."
What happens next: staff will publish the adopted ordinances and post the fee schedule; the 90-day delay for portions of the sewer ordinance gives residents and property sellers time to plan for inspections and any needed repairs. Staff also noted that the sewer collection foreman holds DEEP wastewater collection certification and will be involved in implementation.
Council did not identify additional follow-up votes at this meeting on these ordinances. Implementation details, including inspection procedures and timelines for properties under contract, will be handled through staff guidance and future agenda items if needed.
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