Conoy Township
supervisors are taking a dim view of anyone who may want to use a
remote-controlled airplane to get a birds-eye view of another property.
In
addition to providing regulations for dealing with junked cars,
garbage, and high grass on private properties, a nuisance ordinance
township supervisors reviewed at their meeting Thursday includes a
section barring the flying of remote-controlled planes over properties
without permission.
Specifically, the ordinance prohibits "the
operation of remote controlled or other non-tethered aircraft over
property not owned by the operator and without permission of the
property owner."
On Thursday, supervisors singled out that
section as a unique and valued regulation to address the specter of
small, private spy planes flying above a property and recording video of
what is below.
"That's the highlight of the whole thing," Supervisor Stephen Mohr said.
Most
of the proposed ordinance, however, deals with the earth-bound problems
of junked vehicles, trash, and unruly vegetation on private properties.
While
the township had previously addressed such issues elsewhere in its
zoning guidelines, this new ordinance tightens the regulatory language.
Matt
Creme, the township's solicitor, said the ordinance actually raises the
threshold for the township to get involved in a matter while giving it
more legal backing when it does.
"This would allow us to enforce the most extreme cases," Creme said.
Creme
said the ordinance specifies that things such as junked cars actually
have to be creating a public nuisance — such as leaking automotive fluid
— to qualify as a nuisance under the new ordinance. It is not enough
for them to just be unregistered or out of inspection, he said.
"It
is not a property maintenance code. It is not about how things look, it
is about how they affect public health, safety and general welfare,"
Creme said.
The ordinance also addresses garbage on a private
property as well as unsafe structures. It also has a section that would
bar grass from being more than 10 inches high outside of the rural and
agricultural zoning districts.
Creme said the township would use its discretion about when to bring citations under the ordinance.
Violations can result in a fine of up to $300.
The
ordinance will be the subject of a formal hearing to be held during the
supervisors next regular meeting at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 14, in the
township office, 211 Falmouth Road, Bainbridge.
Read more: http://lancasteronline.com
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