Supervisors approve winery and Bickel planning modules, OK subdivision waiver

The Harris Township Board of Supervisors voted to approve two sewage‑planning modules and related actions concerning local land use.

Staff presented a Component 2 planning module for Mount Nittany Winery on Hauser Road and recommended approval and referral to the Department of Environmental Protection. After brief clarification about wells and absorption areas, the board approved Resolution 24‑04 by voice vote.

Later, staff described a Component 1 planning module and a requested sewage‑planning waiver for the Edward W. Bickel property, which proposes splitting a 111.7‑acre parent tract into a 10‑acre parcel and a 101.7‑acre agricultural parcel. Staff said the waiver request is consistent with township chapter 9‑4.5k and recommended approval and referral to DEP as Resolution 24‑05. The board moved and unanimously approved the waiver and planning‑module resolution.

The board then reviewed the Edward W. Bickel minor subdivision plan in more detail. Staff noted the proposed 10‑acre lot would use on‑site water and sewer, and that fire protection for habitable structures would be addressed by required sprinkler systems. After discussing limits on exempt lots, plan scale waivers, and contingent plan comments from the zoning officer and CRPA director, the board approved the minor subdivision contingent upon satisfactory resolution of the listed comments and memos.

All three formal actions were carried by roll or voice vote as recorded in the meeting minutes and were referred to the appropriate review bodies where required.