MINUTES

PLANNING COMMISSION:                                             LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING:                                                      AUGUST 15, 2017

 The following were in ATTENDANCE:

 

PLANNING COMMISSION	TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL
Geir Magnusson, Vice-Chairman	Daniel Flint, Community Development
Samuel T. Bashore, Secretary	Julie Echterling, Recording Secretary
Brian Wickenheiser
David Clovsky
Michael Washburn
ABSENT	CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Dr. Jean Dyszel	Steve Hoffman
Brett McCreary, Chairman

 

Mr. Magnusson called the August 15, 2017 Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:00 pm.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Approval of Minutes

Mr. BASHORE made a motion to approve the minutes from the July 18, 2017 meeting.  Mr. WICKENHEISER seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

NEW BUSINESS

SLD Docket No. 2017-04: Subdivision and Land Development Plan for 145 S. Locust Street (aka Locust Street Homes for Preliminary Plan approval;

Proposed subdivision to allow construction of 26 new single-family homes (8 detached and 18 attached) on 6.7 acres.

Applicant Presentation

Mr. Frank Gally, K and W Engineering, stated the plan would be for 8 detached homes and 18 townhomes.  He stated this plan has been submitted before and revisions have been made.  He stated they received a zoning variance which allowed for the changes.  He stated he is here to answer questions and asked the Board for conditional approval pending comments.  He showed the Board the location of the plan on the map.  He spoke about the pathways being proposed for public use.  He discussed the stormwater basin and the portion of street being dedicated to the Township. 

Township Staff Comments

Mr. Flint stated that the previous Locust Street Homes plan was approved in 2012.  He spoke about the border issues with Shiremanstown and reaching out to them for comments.  There were no comments received back form Shiremanstown.  He spoke about the most significant change being 137 Locust Street being subdivided which allowed three additional townhouses to be added.  A sidewalk needs to be constructed along the 137 Locust Street.  He stated the Township needs to see a copy of the Homeowner’s Association documents for review and approval.  He spoke about the need to verify emergency vehicle access for the new plan.  He stated an HOP is required for the plan.  He stated since there are 26 homes, a second means of access is necessary for emergency vehicles and is not on the plan.  He stated the rest of the comments are standard.

County Planning Commission Comments

Mr. Hoffman commented on the age of the trees and the requirements for wooded lots.  Mr. Flint stated he would look into this comment.

Commission Member Question and Answer

Mr. Bashore asked if they had a second access point for emergency vehicles.  Mr. Gally stated there are several options and they may use an access on 41st street with a lockbox.  Mr. Clovsky asked if the previous waivers are still approved.  Mr. Flint stated yes.  Mr. Clovsky asked about the inlets, about the lack of an inlet on Stevenson Road and asked about the basin overflow.  Mr. Gally stated inlets for Stevenson’s Road weren’t necessary.   He spoke about the basin and the calculations used for the basin including the 100-year flood.  He believes the inlets and basin should handle the water.  Mr. Bashore asked about ponding of water on the street.  Mr. Flint spoke about the grading on 41^st Street and how it has ponded in the past.

Mr. Wickenheiser asked about a traffic study for the HOP.  Mr. Gally stated they did one with the previous plan and need to resubmit the information for the new HOP. 

Public Comments:

Mr. David Burger stated he lives on Forge Road and stated traffic is sketchy at best and he doesn’t see law enforcement out there.  He is concerned about the traffic impact for this plan.  He asked about the breakout of the previous plan.  Mr. Flint stated it was for 14 single and 8 townhomes.  Mr. Burger is concerned because of the property abutting the school.  He asked what the impact will be on the existing home owners and taxes.  Mr. Flint stated these homes will be taxed as other homes are in the Township.

Mr. Blain Pynkala, Walnut Street, asked about a walkway onto Walnut Street and if these homes would be rentals.  Mr. Flint showed this area on the map and stated the Township doesn’t regulate whether homes are rented or owned.

Mr. Craig Partridge, Shiremanstown, asked about a pedestrian crossing.  Mr. Flint showed the street on the map.  He coordinated with the Engineer and Council for Shiremanstown on this area.  Mr. Partridge stated he is on the council for Shiremanstown, doesn’t remember this plan and asked how to submit a concern.  Mr. Flint stated this will also go to the Board of Commissioners for approval.  He stated he has the letter from Shiremanstown and can show him the letter.

Action:  Recommendations on the Plan

Mr. WICKENHEISER made a motion to approve the approve the Plan for SLD Docket No. 2017-04, Subdivision and Land Development Plan for 145 S. Locust Street subject to Township and County comments.  Mr. WASHBURN seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at 7:00pm.  Mr. Flint stated there will be a comprehensive plan update for the Commission.

ADJOURN

The regular meeting of the Planning Commission adjourned at 7:38 pm.