Southampton, Franklin One of the First Townships to Place Its Comprehensive Land-Use Plan on the Internet for Public Comment

CONTACT:
Thomas Linzey, Esq.
709-0457

Southampton Twp.
532-9041

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Shippensburg (May 22) - The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF) announced today that Southampton Township, Franklin County has become one of the first Townships to place its Comprehensive Plan on the internet seeking public comment on the plan. The Plan can be found at http://www.celdf.org/plan or through the Legal Defense Fund's main page at http://www.celdf.org.

Tom Linzey, staff attorney for the Fund, applauded Township Supervisors and the Township Planning Commission for inviting comments on the Plan via the internet. "We think this is an important step for municipalities to take - it enables interested Township residents to examine and review the Plan from the comfort of their own homes. Involving a greater number of residents in the process is an important goal for this project."

The Comprehensive Plan was drafted by the Township Planning Commission in coordination with the Township Engineer - Tim Cormany of Martin & Martin. The Plan was then submitted to the Township Supervisors for their review. Upon completion of their review, a digital version of the Plan was then transferred to the Legal Defense Fund, which uploaded the Plan onto the Fund's webpage.

A public hearing, to be held on Tuesday, June 12th at 6:30 a.m. is being hosted by the Township Supervisors to accept public comments on the Plan. Comments can also be made through the webpage via e-mail to the Township. The Township's e-mail is shtwp@pa.net.

Linzey also stated that he hoped that Southampton Township's decision to make these documents more publicly available would be "followed by all municipalities in Franklin County. Eventually, we foresee a time when all municipalities would have webpages which list Ordinances, land use documents, etc., and when Boroughs would have their meetings taped and broadcast over the internet for those who want to participate, but can't attend meetings."

The Southampton Township Supervisors can also be reached at 705 Municipal Drive, Shippensburg or by phone at 532-9041. The Supervisors are Paul Witter, Chairman; Linda Coover, Secretary; and Sam Cressler. The Board of Supervisors meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m.