Millcreek Township · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Millcreek Township public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Rezoning of 16.3 acres at 5901 Wattsburg Road to Interstate Commercial
Nicholas Scott wants 16.3 acres near Interstate 90 and Wattsburg Road changed from Conservation Residential to Interstate Commercial zoning. Approval would allow commercial development along the interstate corridor instead of the low-density residential uses currently permitted.
School District Parking Variance at 1001 West 54th Street
The school district is asking for a parking variance to accommodate a building addition in a residential zone.
Commercial Signage Size and Traffic Safety
A deep-set commercial lot on busy Peach Street got permission to double its pole sign to 225 square feet so tenants in a newly expanded building are visible from the road. The township's 32-square-foot freestanding limit was the hurdle.
SALDO and Stormwater Ordinance Updates
Proposed changes to the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) and local stormwater regulations were put under review to update standards for new construction and runoff management.
Subdivision and Land Development Plans
The township evaluated multiple property subdivision and development proposals, including lot splits for residential properties and a commercial parking expansion for Marquette Savings Bank. These plans ensure proper lot sizing, access, and compliance with local zoning rules.
Stormwater Management and Development Plans
The township evaluated multiple property subdivision and development proposals, including lot splits for residential properties and a commercial parking expansion for Marquette Savings Bank. These plans ensure proper lot sizing, access, and compliance with local zoning rules.
Recurring sewer backups on Pittsburgh Avenue
Ellen Minns described her third sewage backup in three years and pressed the township to meet with Erie City sewer officials. A joint meeting is being scheduled within two weeks, and downspout connections and pipe-size mismatches are on the agenda for that discussion.
Bridge Closure
The Old Sterrettania Bridge is shutting down for good because inspections showed it's dangerously outdated and the state won't pay to fix it. This means you're going to have to deal with annoying detours on your daily commute starting Friday.
Herbert Rezoning Request at 4007 West 12th Street
A developer requested rezoning 3.2 acres from low-density residential to mixed-use corridor, drawing fierce pushback from neighbors worried about traffic, high-density housing, and property values. The board ultimately voted down the request following a Planning Commission recommendation to deny.
Zoning Code Amendments for Data Centers and Transitional Dwellings
Candy Horm asked why the township hasn't written rules for data centers yet. Staff said they'll designate where they'd be allowed — but there's no ordinance currently in the works.
Emergency Medical Dispatch Protocol Updates
The township updated its county dispatch protocols for Advanced Life Support (ALS) emergencies. If Millcreek Paramedics are unavailable, dispatch will automatically route the next closest ALS unit to ensure faster response times and better resource use.
Volunteer and Paid Fire Department Relations
Resident Candy Horm asked why paid firefighters get township-funded training while volunteers don't. Officials noted volunteer departments previously received about $160,000 each in LST funds and can still seek funds through budget submissions.
Kelso Drive Residential Redevelopment
Property owners are rebuilding a single-family home and adding a large garage in an area zoned for commercial mixed use, maintaining the historic residential character of the neighborhood.
Project W Senior Housing Development
Neighbors of the proposed Project W senior housing development expressed concerns about traffic impacts, construction access, and neighborhood through-traffic on existing residential streets.
Comparison of Township Legal Fees
A resident argued the township's roughly $800,000 annual legal costs far exceed comparable townships and urged competitive bidding for solicitor services. The solicitor agreed periodic evaluation is reasonable, and Bock and Morris were open to it.
West Lake Road Commercial Rezoning
Two long-time business properties were rezoned to residential in the 2022 comprehensive rezoning, and the owners want MU-1 Neighborhood Mixed Use back so they can sell or operate. The Supervisors tabled both petitions and want the Planning Commission to look at adding two business parcels across the street so all four rezone together and avoid a spot-zoning challenge.
Fire Code Updates and Inspection Program
The township now has a formal fire inspection program for existing buildings, run by the fire department, with the fire chief as fire code official. Property and business owners in certain occupancy categories can expect inspections.
E-bike and scooter safety
Resident Dennis McAndrew urged the board to consider an e-bike ordinance like North East's, saying some e-bikes can exceed 25 mph and endanger pedestrians.
Erie City Mission Haven for Women and Children
The Erie City Mission received approval to convert the former Our Lady of Mount Carmel school into a 70-bed emergency facility for women and children in crisis, backed by strong neighborhood support and private funding.
Tower Ladder Fire Truck Procurement
The 23-year-old Westridge tower ladder has had two cable failures, and a replacement costs $2.2 million — nearly double the 2020 study's estimate. The board tabled the purchase to sort out financing, with Bock wary of a 15-year loan and a future board inheriting the decision.
Code Enforcement Penalties and Chapter 48 Overhaul
The township is suing over a dilapidated property on Haven Street whose owner went silent. On Argyle, frustrated neighbors learned the foreclosure sale was delayed, so the township is getting quotes to fix exterior violations itself.
Powell Avenue Multi-Family Housing Development
An 18-unit apartment complex is proposed to replace two older single-family homes on Powell Avenue. The project features underground stormwater management and will connect to public utilities.
Limited Lodging in Residential Neighborhoods
A property owner sought permission to operate a short-term rental for mobility-impaired visitors near a busy commercial corridor. Neighbors and township officials pushed back, expressing fear that commercial uses are creeping into established residential neighborhoods.
Industrial Parking Variance for Factory Expansion
Haysite Reinforced Plastics requested relief from strict municipal parking minimums to accommodate a major plant expansion. The company demonstrated that shift work and employee counts would not strain the proposed 151 parking spaces.
Comprehensive Safety Action Plan and Grant Application
The township is applying for a $200,000 federal grant to build a safety action plan after twelve roadway deaths from 2019-2024, including five in 2024. The township's share would be about $50,000 in the 2027 budget, and completing the plan opens the door to much larger implementation grants.