MINUTES

 DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY                              LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

 REGULAR MEETING                                              FEBRUARY 21, 2017

The following were in ATTENDANCE: 

AUTHORITY MEMBERS                                        TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL

Max Stoner, Chairman                                                 Erin Trone, Township Assistant Manager

John Eby, Secretary                                                      Mary Ellen Banks, Recording Secretary

Edward Black

PUBLIC IN ATTENDANCE

None.

Chairman Stoner called the meeting of the Lower Allen Township Development Authority to order at 6:00pm and announced Proof of Publication was available for review.

Salvatore F. Marone and Peddrick Young were absent with excuse.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 16, 2017

Mr. EBY made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 16, 2017 meeting with a correction on page 2 under staff update, it should state “well over fifty inspections”, not “permits.” Mr. BLACK seconded the motion. Motion carried, 3-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT: There were no comments from the public.

REMINDER: Ethics Forms are due May 15^th.

DISCUSSION: 2017 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PROCESS

Mrs. Trone informed the Board the Township held the kick-off meeting last Wednesday with the Citizens Advisory Committee; the first hour was introductions of everyone and explained the Comprehensive Plan and what is expected of the Committee; the second hour they asked the group to define the treasures, challenges and what their visions were for Lower Allen. Next month, they are going to be splitting into different focus group meetings; Mr. Flint and Mrs. Trone developed a list of the different people they would like to have on each of the focus groups. We would like to have one member of this Board be present and attend one of these focus group’s meetings. At this point, John Eby volunteered to be the liaison on one of these groups. Discussion ensued on arranging these focus groups. Mr. BLACK made a motion to designate Mr. Eby as the Lower Allen Township Development Authority representative to the 2017 Comprehensive Plan Process. Mr. STONER seconded the motion. Motion carried, 3-0.

DISCUSSION: PUBLIC HEARING FOR REZONING FROM R-2 RURAL RESIDENTAL TO R-3 MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL ON 30-ACRE TRACT NEAR ROSSMOYNE ROAD AND LISBURN ROAD

Mr. Eby informed the board after the public hearing and a continued public hearing to allow more input it was the decision of the Commissioners to do a negative adjudication and not enact the ordinance which would have changed the zoning map. Some comments were that the comprehensive plan process should take a look at some of the issues that were raised as far as the point of some of the property owners that feel they are surrounded by more intensive development versus a lot of people that look for ways to preserve more open spaces. So, it was concluded and this matter is done. Mr. Eby talked to Mr. Melham, who represented the applicants, explaining when the adjudication is available, he will send it to him. Mr. Melham did indicate the prospective buyer did purchase the tract without the re-zoning.

DISCUSSION: LOCATION FOR INDOOR GROWING OPERATIONS IN THE TOWNSHIP:

Mrs. Trone explained that Mr. Eby is working on drafting an ordinance concerning this. He approached the Commissioners about a month ago explaining the Township doesn’t have any place where we can have an indoor growing operation. As an Economic Development body, they see some potential for this through this ordinance because some of our older warehouses are not fit to be warehouses anymore, but might be good for growing operations. Mr. Eby reviewed the draft ordinance per copies given to the Board members. While viewing the map on-screen, Mr. Eby showed the Board where some of these areas could be utilized in C-2, C-3, I-1 and I-3 zoning districts. Discussion ensued.  This will be on the agenda for the Commissioners next meeting and after discussion, if the Commissioners are comfortable with the staff moving forward, they will do so. It is an easy to understand concept and there is no lobbying group requesting this since it is just a staff initiative simply addressing a gap in the zoning code.

STAFF UPDATE

John Eby reviewed the following:

• Marzoni’s – they are as close as tomorrow to getting their construction codes certificate of occupancy. They should be geared up within a week or two of starting to advertise; they had approval to train staff in the building.
• Capital City Mall – As the board was aware of, we approved a land development plan to rehabilitate the Sears end of the mall and also rehabilitate the area of Old Navy, the small bump-out. Dick’s is moving into the Sears end of the mall; our work group met with the mall manager and the owner of the mall’s project manager for redevelopment. (Note: the owner of the mall is PREIT, Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust). They have an aggressive schedule to start demolition activities. We will work with them as best we can thru the construction plan review because their target launch is this year to at least have the vanilla box completed and ready to do interior finish, trim and stock some time in August. Just so the Board is aware, the existing mall entrance into Sears (Dick’s) will be sealed off during remediation of floor tile and to remove other things during the demolition process. Pretty much the mall half of the Sears store will be retained such as the floor and walls; however, pretty much the remaining half of the building will be totally demolished and be replaced by newer construction which will have four smaller tenants and will only be accessible from exterior points.
• Arcona – not much is changed; continuing to issue permits in phase 1.5, the townhomes. Part of phase 2 which is apartments, they are gearing up for building constructions plans, but they have not yet given us any preview or formal submission on those buildings; we are expecting them this year. Mr. Eby met with Vice President in charge of development about longer range planning of things and getting the bigger picture concept. Thea restaurant is very successful and they are looking at getting them more parking; in the future, they will be able to have more parking across Arcona Road; but right now they are looking at ways to do this in the interim. The parking across Arcona Road would be for support for Highpoint including employees and over-flow parking. Discussion ensued. Building J is the only building that has not been constructed.

Erin Trone reviewed the following:

• Gettysburg Road update – consultants after doing some testing did find issues with utilities; so we will have to go back to ask for more monies to move the utilities; is not a huge barrier and the project is still moving forward.

NEXT MEETING OF THE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

The next meeting of the Development Authority is scheduled for Monday, March 20^th, 2017 at 6:00pm.

ADJOURNMENT

Mr. EBY made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. BLACK seconded the motion. Motion carried, 3-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:40pm.