[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners
of the Township of Swatara 7-6-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-7.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also superseded former Ch. 65,
Reapportionment, adopted 2-4-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-2.
This is a reapportionment ordinance for the redistricting and
realignment of the existing single ward into nine wards that are composed
of compact and contiguous territory as nearly equal in population
as practicable, enacted pursuant to the mandates of Article IX, § 11,
of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Municipal
Reapportionment Act, Act of December 19, 1996, P.L. 1158, No. 177
(53 Pa.C.S.A. § 901 et seq.).
A.Â
By Ordinance No. 2015-2, adopted February 4, 2015, the Board of Commissioners
consolidated the previously existing nine wards of the Township into
one ward with five representatives elected at large based upon its
finding that, as more fully detailed in Ordinance No. 2015-2, the
then-existing nine wards of the Township contained a disparity in
population sufficient to warrant realignment.
B.Â
The Board of Commissioners finds that the Township's existing
one-ward, at-large system no longer serves the best interests of the
Township's voters who, in the municipal election held in November
2015, overwhelmingly demonstrated a desire to restore the Township's
nine-ward system. The Board of Commissioners further finds that a
nine-ward system promotes balanced representation of Township residents
and was originally established in a manner reflecting the historic
villages of Oberlin, Highland, Boyd, Rutherford, Beaver, Churchville,
and Enhaut.
C.Â
The Board of Commissioners finds that the provisions of the Municipal
Reapportionment Act require the governing body of any Township to
reapportion its territory whenever such reapportionment is deemed
necessary.
D.Â
The Board of Commissioners finds that, because of considerations set forth in § 65-1B above, it is now deemed necessary by the Board to reapportion the Township into nine wards, each with a single representative.
E.Â
The Board of Commissioners finds that the nine wards existing prior
to Ordinance No. 2015-2 contained a population disparity warranting
realignment and the boundaries thereof cannot be reinstated under
this chapter without reapportionment.
F.Â
The Board of Commissioners, after examining the existing at-large
system of one ward and a reapportionment plan of nine wards that corrects
the disparity in population present under the former nine-ward system,
and upon considering the Township's historical development, population
concentration, natural boundary lines, and contiguity of wards, finds
that a nine-ward reapportionment plan with the boundaries as hereinafter
described, defined, and specified, with a single representative elected
from each ward, will most sufficiently and appropriately meet the
requirements of the Pennsylvania Constitution and Municipal Reapportionment
Act and the proper functions of government in Swatara Township.
The Township of Swatara is hereby divided into nine wards for
all purposes required under the Constitution or laws of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, including municipal elections as hereinafter more
specifically provided. The number of Commissioners of the Township
shall, pursuant to the Pennsylvania First Class Township Code, 53
P.S. § 55504, be nine, one elected by and representing each
of the nine wards. At the next municipal election after the effective
date of this chapter, Commissioners will be elected for the newly
created Second Ward, Fourth Ward, Sixth Ward, and Eighth Ward for
full four-year terms each, from the first Monday of January next succeeding.
In addition, at the next municipal election after the effective date
of this chapter, Commissioners will be elected for the newly created
Third Ward and Seventh Ward for terms of two years, from the first
Monday of January next succeeding. The First Ward, Fifth Ward, and
Ninth Ward will be served by the Commissioners who were elected for
four-year terms beginning in January 2016, i.e., Jeffrey Varner, Edward
Troxell, and Richard Bouder, respectively, until the expiration of
their terms. Thereafter, all elections shall be held in the normal
election sequence as described herein.
A.Â
The boundary descriptions of each ward are as follows:
(1)Â
First Ward: beginning at the intersection of the center line of Eisenhower
Boulevard and the boundary of the Township of Swatara, thence; southwesterly
then northwesterly then westerly then northerly then southwesterly
along the boundary of the Township of Swatara to the common intersection
of the center lines of Locust Street and Penn Street, thence; southwesterly
along the center line of Penn Street and continuing on its southwest
extension in a straight line of sight to the intersection of the center
line of the southeast extension of the straight line of sight from
the intersection of the center line of Hickory Street, thence; northwesterly
along the boundary of the Township of Swatara and the Hickory Street
extension to the center line of Hickory Street and continuing along
the center line of Hickory Street to the intersection of the center
line of Chambers Street, thence; southwesterly along the center line
of Chambers Street to the intersection of the center line of Wood
Street, thence; northerly along the center line of Wood Street to
the intersection of the center line of Cumbler Street, thence; northerly
along the center line of Cumbler Street approximately 600 feet to
the intersection of the center line of the ravine, thence; northerly
along the center line of the ravine (2010 Census Block Extension boundary)
bisecting the bridge at Center Street, and continuing northerly in
a straight line of sight to the intersection of the center line of
Church Street passing between the addresses of 990 and 1018, thence;
northwesterly along the center line of Church Street to the intersection
of the center line of Highland Street, thence; easterly along the
center line of Highland Street to the intersection of the center line
of Hanshue Street, thence; generally northerly along the center line
of Hanshue Street to the intersection of the center line of North
Harrisburg Street, thence; northwesterly along the center line of
North Harrisburg Street to the intersection of the southwest extension
of Morningside Way, thence; northeasterly along said extension and
continuing along the center line of Morningside Way to the intersection
of the center line of Chambers Hill Road, thence; easterly along the
center line of Chambers Hill Road to the intersection of the center
line of Pieffers Lane, thence; southerly along the center line of
Pieffers Lane to the intersection of the center line of Swatara Drive,
thence; easterly along the center line of Swatara Drive to the intersection
of the center line of Eisenhower Boulevard, thence; southeasterly
along the center line of Eisenhower Boulevard to the intersection
of the intersection of the center line of the Township of Swatara,
and the point and place of beginning.
(2)Â
Second Ward: beginning at the intersection of the center lines of
the southern point of Orchard Drive and the boundary of the Township
of Swatara, thence; northeasterly along the center line of Orchard
Drive to the common intersection of the center lines of North Harrisburg
Street and Chambers Hill Road, thence; easterly along the center line
of Chambers Hill Road to the intersection of the center line of Morningside
Way, thence; southerly along the center line of Morningside Way and
continuing on its southwest extension in a straight line of sight
to the intersection of the center line of North Harrisburg Street,
thence; southeasterly along the center line of North Harrisburg Street
to the intersection of the center line of Hanshue Street, thence;
generally southerly along the center line of Hanshue Street to the
intersection of the center line of Highland Street, thence; westerly
along the center line of Highland Street to the intersection of the
center line of Church Street, thence; easterly along the center line
of Church Street to a point between the addresses 990 and 1018, thence;
southerly along the direct line of sight passing between said addresses
along the center line of the ravine (2010 Census Block Extension boundary)
and bisecting the bridge at Center Street to the intersection of the
center line of Cumbler Street, thence; southerly along the center
line of Cumbler Street to the boundary of the Township of Swatara,
thence; in a generally northwesterly direction to the intersection
of the southern point of Orchard Drive and the point and place of
beginning.
(3)Â
Third Ward: beginning at the intersection of the center line of Orchard
Drive and the boundary of the Township of Swatara, thence; along the
center line of the boundary of the Township of Swatara in a generally
northwesterly then generally southerly direction to the Susquehanna
River, thence; along the east shore of the Susquehanna River in a
southeasterly direction to a point where the Township of Swatara boundary
crosses the river, thence; crossing said river in a southerly direction
to the west shore of the Susquehanna River and continuing along the
west shore in a northwesterly direction to a point where the boundary
of the Township of Swatara recrosses the river and continuing along
the boundary in a generally easterly then a northerly direction to
the intersection of the center line of Paxton Street, thence; easterly
along the center line of Paxton Street to the common intersection
of the Paxton Street ramp and the center line of I-83, thence; easterly
along the center line of I-83 to the intersection of the center line
of the northern extension of South 40th Street, thence; southerly
along the center line of said extension of South 40th Street and continuing
along South 40th Street to the intersection of the center line of
Tecport Drive, thence; generally in a westerly direction along the
center line of Tecport Drive to the intersection of the center line
of Friendship Road, thence; southwesterly along the center line of
Friendship Road to the intersection of the center line of North Harrisburg
Street, thence; southeasterly along the center line of North Harrisburg
Street to the common intersection of the center line of Chambers Hill
Road and Orchard Drive, thence; southwesterly along the center line
of Orchard Drive to the intersection of the boundary of the Township
of Swatara and the point and place of beginning.
(4)Â
Fourth Ward: beginning at the intersection of the center line of
North 48th Street and the boundary of the Township of Swatara, thence;
southerly along the center line of North 48th Street to the intersection
of the center line of Tipton Road, thence; westerly along the center
line of Tipton Road to the intersection of the center line of East
Park Drive, thence; generally southerly along the center line of East
Park Drive to the intersection of the center line of Derry Street,
thence; westerly along the center line of Derry Street to the intersection
of the center line of I-83, thence; southerly then westerly along
the center line of I-83 to the intersection of the center line of
the Paxton Street ramp, thence; southerly along the center line of
the Paxton Street ramp and continuing westerly along the center line
of Paxton Street to the intersection of the boundary of the Township
of Swatara, thence; northerly then easterly then generally northerly
then easterly along the boundary of the Township of Swatara to the
intersection of the center line of 48th Street and the point and place
of beginning.
(5)Â
Fifth Ward: beginning at the intersection of the center line of North
67th Street and the boundary of the Township of Swatara, thence; southerly
along the center line of North 67th Street to the intersection of
the center line of Lehigh Avenue, thence; easterly along the center
line of Lehigh Avenue to the intersection of the center line of Carbon
Avenue, thence; southerly along the center line of Carbon Avenue to
the intersection of the center line of Cambria Avenue, thence; southwesterly
along the center line of Cambria Avenue to the intersection of the
center line of North 67th Street, thence; southerly along the center
line of North 67th Street to the intersection of the center line of
Evelyn Street, thence; westerly along the center line of Evelyn Street
to the intersection of the center line of North 65th Street, thence;
southerly along the center line of North 65th Street to the intersection
of the center line of Somerset Street, thence; westerly along the
center line of Somerset Street to the intersection of the center line
of North 64th Street, thence; southerly along the center line of North
64th Street to the intersection of the center line of Derry Street,
thence; westerly along the center line of Derry Street to the intersection
of the center line of South 63rd Street, thence; southerly along the
center line of South 63rd Street and continuing along the southern
extension of South 63rd Street to the intersection of the center line
of U.S. Highway 322, thence; westerly along the center line of U.S.
Highway 322 to the intersection of the center line of Paxton Street,
thence; westerly along the center line of Paxton Street to the intersection
of the center line of Rupp Hill Road, thence; northerly along the
center line of Rupp Hill Road and continuing easterly along the center
line of Grayson Road to the intersection of the point of the southern
extension from a straight line of sight from Lancaster Street (60
feet east of the Kempton Avenue intersection), (2010 Census Block
Extension boundary), thence; northerly along said extension to the
intersection of the center line of Lancaster Street (60 feet east
of the Kempton Avenue intersection), thence; southwesterly along the
center line of Lancaster Street to the intersection of the center
line of Kempton Avenue, thence; northerly along the center line of
Kempton Avenue to the intersection of the center line of Fordham Avenue,
thence; westerly along the center line of Fordham Avenue to the intersection
of the center line of Edington Avenue, thence; northerly along the
center line of Edington Avenue to the intersection of the center line
of Blakeslee Drive, thence; easterly along the center line of Blakeslee
Drive to the intersection of the center line of Carlton Avenue, thence;
northerly along the northern extension of the center line of Carlton
Avenue to the boundary of the Township of Swatara, thence; easterly
then northerly then generally easterly along the boundary of the Township
of Swatara to the intersection of the center line of North 67th Street
and the point and place of beginning.
(6)Â
Sixth Ward: beginning at the intersection of the center line of North
67th Street and the boundary of the Township of Swatara, thence; southerly
along the center line of North 67th Street to the intersection of
the center line of Lehigh Avenue, thence; easterly along the center
line of Lehigh Avenue to the intersection of the center line of Carbon
Avenue, thence; southerly along the center line of Carbon Avenue to
the intersection of the center line of Cambria Avenue, thence; southwesterly
along the center line of Cambria Avenue to the intersection of the
center line of North 67th Street, thence; southerly along the center
line of North 67th Street to the intersection of the center line of
Evelyn Street, thence; westerly along the center line of Evelyn Street
to the intersection of the center line of North 65th Street, thence;
southerly along the center line of North 65th Street to the intersection
of the center line of Somerset Street, thence; westerly along the
center line of Somerset Street to the intersection of the center line
of North 64th Street, thence; southerly along the center line of North
64th Street to the intersection of the center line of Derry Street,
thence; westerly along the center line of Derry Street to the intersection
of the center line of South 63rd Street, thence; southerly along the
center line of South 63rd Street and continuing along its southern
extension to the intersection of the center line of U.S. Highway 322,
thence; easterly along the center line of U.S. Highway 322 to the
intersection of Grayson Road, thence; westerly along the center line
of Grayson Road to the intersection of the center line of Milroy Road,
thence; northerly along the center line of Milroy Road and continuing
along the center line of South Nyes Road to the intersection of the
boundary of the Township of Swatara, thence; westerly along the boundary
of the Township of Swatara to the intersection of the center line
of North 67th Street and the point and place of beginning.
(7)Â
Seventh Ward: beginning at the intersection of the center line of
North 48th Street and the boundary of the Township of Swatara, thence;
southerly along the center line of North 48th Street to the intersection
of the center line of Tipton Road, thence; westerly along the center
line of Tipton Road to the intersection of the center line of East
Park Drive, thence; generally southerly along the center line of East
Park Drive to the intersection of the center line of Derry Street,
thence; westerly along the center line of Derry Street to the intersection
of the center line of I-83, thence; southerly along the center line
of I-83 to the intersection of the center line of U.S. Highway 322,
thence; easterly along the center line of U.S. Highway 322 to the
intersection of the center line of Paxton Street, thence; westerly
along the center line of Paxton Street to the intersection of the
center line of Rupp Hill Road, thence; northerly along the center
line of Rupp Hill Road and continuing easterly along the center line
of Grayson Road to the intersection of the point of the southern extension
from a straight line of sight from Lancaster Street (60 feet east
of the Kempton Avenue intersection), (2010 Census Block Extension
boundary), thence; northerly along said extension to the intersection
of the center line of Lancaster Street (60 feet east of the Kempton
Avenue intersection), thence; southwesterly along the center line
of Lancaster Street to the intersection of the center line of Kempton
Avenue, thence; northerly along the center line of Kempton Avenue
to the intersection of the center line of Fordham Avenue, thence;
westerly along the center line of Fordham Avenue to the intersection
of the center line of Eddington Avenue, thence; northerly along the
center line of Edington Avenue to the intersection of the center line
of Blakeslee Drive, thence; easterly along the center line of Blakeslee
Drive to the intersection of the center line of Carlton Avenue, thence;
northerly along the straight line of sight from the center line of
the intersection of the center line of Carlton Avenue and Blakeslee
Drive to the intersection of the boundary of the Township of Swatara,
thence; westerly along the boundary of the Township of Swatara to
the intersection of the center line of North 48th Street and the point
and place of beginning.
(8)Â
Eighth Ward: beginning at the intersection of the center lines of
U.S. Highway 322 and Mushroom Hill Road, thence; southerly along the
center line of Mushroom Hill Road to the common intersection of the
center lines of Chatham Drive and Rutland Drive, thence; westerly
then southerly along the center line of Rutland Drive to the intersection
of the center line of Warwick Drive, thence; westerly along the center
line of Warwick Drive to the intersection of the center line of Strites
Road, thence; southerly along the center line of Strites Road to the
intersection of the boundary of the Township of Swatara, thence; easterly
then generally northerly and westerly along the boundary of the Township
of Swatara to the intersection of the center line of South Nyes Road,
thence; southerly along the center line of South Nyes Road and continuing
along the center line of Milroy Road to the intersection of the center
line of Grayson Road, thence; easterly along the center line of Grayson
Road to the intersection of the center line of U.S. Highway 322, thence;
westerly along the center line of U.S. Highway 322 to the intersection
of the center line of Mushroom Hill Road and the point and place of
beginning.
(9)Â
Ninth Ward: beginning at the intersection of the center lines of
U.S. Highway 322 and Mushroom Hill Road, thence; southerly along the
center line of Mushroom Hill Road to the common intersection of the
center line of Chatham Drive and Rutland Drive, thence; westerly then
southerly along the center line of Rutland Drive to the intersection
of the center line of Warwick Drive, thence; westerly along the center
line of Warwick Drive to the intersection of the center line of Strites
Road, thence; southerly along the center line of Strites Road to the
intersection of the boundary of the Township of Swatara, thence; generally
southwesterly along the boundary of the Township of Swatara to the
intersection of the center line of Eisenhower Boulevard, thence; northwesterly
along the center line of Eisenhower Boulevard to the intersection
of the center line of Swatara Drive, thence; westerly along the center
line of Swatara Drive to the intersection of the center line of Pieffers
Lane, thence; northerly along the center line of Pieffers Lane to
the intersection of the center line of Chambers Hill Road, thence;
westerly along the center line of Chambers Hill Road to the intersection
of the center line of North Harrisburg Street, thence; northwesterly
along the center line of North Harrisburg Street to the intersection
of the center line of Friendship Road, thence; northeasterly along
the center line of Friendship Road to the intersection of the center
line of Tecport Drive, thence; generally southeasterly then northeasterly
along the center line of Tecport Drive to the intersection of the
center line of South 40th Street, thence; north on the center line
of South 40th Street and continuing along its extension to the intersection
of the center line of I-83, thence; easterly on the center line of
I-83 and continuing on the center line of U.S. Highway 322 to the
intersection of the center line of Mushroom Hill Road and the point
and place of beginning.
B.Â
The boundaries of the districts as set forth above are also shown
upon the map attached to and made part of this chapter, which shall
be designated as "Reapportionment Plan, Township of Swatara, Dauphin
County, Pennsylvania, 2016." A copy of this map was made public prior
to the enactment of this chapter and is kept on file and available
for public inspection at the Township's office.
In the municipal primary and municipal election of 2017, it is the intent, and in implementation of said intent, the directive, of the Board of Commissioners that, consistent with the provisions of § 65-2 of this chapter and the provisions of the First Class Township Code, 53 P.S. § 55507, candidates will be elected for the newly created Second Ward, Fourth Ward, Sixth Ward, and Eighth Ward for full four-year terms commencing January 1, 2018, and, in addition, candidates will be elected for the newly created Third Ward and Seventh Ward for terms of two years commencing January 1, 2018. The First Ward, Fifth Ward, and Ninth Ward will be served by the Commissioners who were elected for four-year terms commencing on January 1, 2016, i.e., Jeffrey Varner, Edward Troxell, and Richard Bouder, respectively, until the expiration of their terms. Thereafter, elections for the expired terms for the First Ward, Fifth Ward, and Ninth Ward will be held in the normal election sequence, i.e., elections for odd-numbered wards held in 2019 with terms commencing in January 2020, and elections for even-numbered wards held in 2021 with terms commencing in January 2022.
Pursuant to the provisions of existing law, i.e., Section 8(a) of the Municipal Reapportionment Act [53 Pa.C.S.A. § 908(a)] and § 65-4 of this chapter, all Commissioners of the Township presently serving in office shall retain their offices until the end of their respective terms.
