MINUTES

PLANNING COMMISSION:                                             LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING:                                                      OCTOBER 17, 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-arrived @ 6:59pm	Peddrick Young, Commissioner
David Clovsky
Dr. Jean Dyszel
ABSENT:	COUNTY:
Brett McCreary, Chairman	Steve Hoffman
Michael Washburn

 

Mr. Magnusson called the October 17, 2017 Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 6:56 pm.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Approval of Minutes

Mr. CLOVSKY made a motion to approve the minutes from the September 19, 2017 meeting.  Mr. BASHORE seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-0.

NEW BUSINESS

PRESENTATION:  DRAFT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE

Mr. Flint asked the Board for their input after hearing the presentation on the plan.  Mr. Troy Truax, Michael Baker International, provided a copy of the draft Comprehensive Plan to the Board.  He spoke about the planning approach which identified the top 5-10 issues through public engagement.  They established and prioritized strategies, developed actions with steps to advance implementation and will identify implementation partners.  He discussed the five keys to creating an implementable plan for the Township.  Mr. Truax spoke about the public engagement which included the following involvement:

• Citizens Advisory Committee
• Stakeholder interviews including County
• Online survey- 656 responses were received.
• Visioning Week -events throughout the Township for four days
• Public Hearing – to be determined.

Mr. Truax stated 28 issues were identified with the public engagement and they came together for four goals.  Below are the goals:

1. Enhance the Township’s existing residential neighborhoods and community parks.
   • Strategies: Protect the existing quality, character, and livability of neighborhoods.  Maintain the quality of Lower Allen’s parks and provide expanded passive and active recreation amenities.
2. Promote and balance open space preservation and the development and redevelopment of commercial and industrial areas.
   • Strategies: Promote enhancement and preservation of open space in the Township. Encourage revitalization of existing commercial and industrial corridors by redeveloping or reusing properties.  Facilitate increased economic development transactions through the Township Development Authority.  Improve and strengthen the image and identify of the Township.
   • He discussed the 700 acres of prison property and Hempt Brothers quarry potential redevelopment. He spoke about the Capital City Mall, the former Border’s Books and how it could be reused.  He went over the strategies and action items for this goal. 
3. Expand pedestrian and bicycle connections throughout the Township.
   • Strategies: Create well-connected and safe bicycle and pedestrian networks that support the vision and goals of the Township’s Comprehensive Plan.  Improve the safety and walkability of the Township’s neighborhoods.  Routinely integrate bicycle and pedestrian improvements as part of the road and bridge project delivery process.
   • He spoke about bicycle and pedestrian connectivity. He stated there has been a lot of investment made by the Township and in future trail designations.  He discussed each of the action items under this goal including short and long-term planning and funding with the state’s Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). 
4. Maintain the Township’s existing transportation infrastructure.
   • Strategies: Improve level of service and safety on congested corridors and intersections.  Enhance access to public transportation and ride-share opportunities.  Improve performance of rail and truck freight facilities for improved goods movement.
   • He spoke about roads within the Township being owned by both the Township and State. He discussed each of the strategies and action items for this goal.  He spoke about the ongoing process and volume of traffic.  He discussed alternative transportation options including ride share, medical assistance program, and the CAT program. 

The consultant identified the Township in four areas:  Wesley, Old Town Allen, Lower Allen Commons, and Yellow Breeches.  Mr. Truax stated the names are not etched in stone and can be changed.  Each of the areas have different strategies and action items.  Mrs. Echterling spoke about concerns with the names and how the neighborhoods may/will want to see changes including Old Town Allen and Yellow Breeches.  He stated they are taking input on these names.  He stated each of the areas are broken out with strategies and action items.

Mr. Truax went over the detailed plan page by page with the Board.  Dr. Dyszel believes the goals should be stated the same on each page for more consistency.  Each neighborhood was broken out and their characteristics with their strategy and potential action plans.  Dr. Dyszel suggested adding a key to each of the action items identifying them as long/short term plans and the costs for them. 

Mr. Truax discussed the schedule which includes potential adoption of the Comprehensive Plan for early 2018.   He stated the next steps would be to receive input from this Board.  They meet with the Citizens Advisory Committee next month and then would start to revise in November.  The plan would be sent to County, School Districts and neighboring municipalities for their input.  He stated once adopted the plan would be on the Township’s website.  The Board and Mr. Hoffman noted the plan was very clear and well laid out.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at 7:00pm. 

ADJOURN

The regular meeting of the Planning Commission adjourned at 8:19 pm.