MINUTES

DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY                              LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING                                              JANUARY 15, 2018

The following were in ATTENDANCE: 

AUTHORITY MEMBERS                                        TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL

Peddrick Young, Vice Chairman                                   Erin Trone, Township Assistant Manager

John Eby, Secretary                                                      Mary Ellen Banks, Recording Secretary

Salvatore F. Marone, Treasurer                                     Steven Miner, Solicitor

Edward Black

 

PUBLIC IN ATTENDANCE

None.

Peddrick Young, Vice Chairman for 2017, called the meeting of the Lower Allen Township Development Authority to order at 6:01pm and announced Proof of Publication was available for review.

REORGANIZATION

Mr. EBY made a motion to retain the same officers:  Chairman (Max Stoner), Vice-Chairman (Peddrick Young), Secretary (John Eby) and Treasurer (Salvatore Marone) of the Development Authority for 2018. Mr. MARONE seconded the nomination. Since there were no other nominations, Recording Secretary, Mary Ellen Banks, stated the nominations will be closed. Motion carried, 3-0.

At this point, Mrs. Banks turned the meeting over to Vice Chairman Young.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 20, 2017

Mr. EBY made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 20, 2017 meeting. Mr. MARONE seconded the motion. Motion carried, 3-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT: There were no comments from the public.

Mr. Black entered the meeting at this point.

DISCUSSION AND ACTION: BEACON HILL HOMEOWNER’S ASSOCIATION REQUEST

• Discussion ensued re: approval of Beacon Hill Homeowner’s Association’s request for lending seed money to the Association to begin improvement projects. Mrs. Trone explained the original developer was doing various projects and is now bankrupt; the Association has not been collecting fees since 2007. Mrs. Trone also explained they did not request any certain amount for the loan.
• Eby stated the minutes for Beacon Hill are available on Lower Allen Township website; this HOA was to have been formed in 2006; however, it still as of now has not been officially formed. Their next meeting they will be appointing a Board of Directors.
• Miner stated at one point all homeowners were to pay two months in advance and that wasn’t done either. Mr. Marone stated it is troubling to be asked to lend money to an organization that doesn’t exist; we are not aware how much they are asking for nor how we will get paid back. He also stated in his opinion there is not enough detail to move forward.
• The concerns of the board:
  • It is not known if this covenant is in the deeds for the 2^nd (or 3^rd) buyer so we do not know what responsibility they will have.
  • When asked, Mr. Miner stated he did not see anything that would prevent the board from legally loaning the Association money.
  • By loaning this HOA money, the Board would be setting a precedent.
  • Marone is very concerned with how the homeowners are going to react. There is no decision yet as to how or how much they are going to charge initially or going forward.
  • What is the Board’s avenue if they cannot replay the loan; how do you secure this type of loan?
• (Note: Snow removal is done by the Lower Allen Township; Mr. Eby explained these roads were just dedicated.)
• The Board has put this decision on hold until more information is received.

DISCUSSION: PREPARE TESTIMONY FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

• Trone explained the Comprehensive Plan lists the Development Authority as being the primary or partner for numerous activities. The discussion this evening is to determine what the testimony during the public hearing should be for this Board. Mr. Stoner and Mr. Eby both have informed Erin they would be available to give this testimony.
• The Board then discussed numerous items in the Comprehensive Plan that lists the Authority as the primary or partner:
  • Economic Development 1.1. Evaluate the Township’s historic requests for variances and waivers, and amend the ordinance regulations to mitigate future requests for relief from the minimum standards.
    • The Board is willing to take on this task specifically to assist businesses with the Township variances and waivers when necessary and appropriate. Discussion ensued on being the lead vs. a partner on this item.
  • Economic Development 1.2. Assess the potential for developing business attraction/retention tools such as tax incentives.
  • Economic Development 1.3. Conduct a Transportation Corridor Study along Gettysburg Road-State Road/Hummel Avenue from the Township’s border with Lemoyne Borough west to Wesley Drive to improve transportation circulation and support existing and future economic development.
  • Economic Development 2.1. Explore ways to develop a continual revenue source to fund economic development projects such as but not limited to capitalizing a revolving loan fund
  • Economic Development 2.2. Partner with the Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation and affiliate, Real Estate Collaborative LLC, to prioritize and implement redevelopment projects in the Township.
  • Economic Development 1.2. Reevaluate the conceptual development plan prepared for SCI Camp Hill. Continue dialogue with the Commonwealth to express the Township’s interest in future development and open space preservation at the property.
    • The Board has been working on this task and assumed these responsibilities already. They will continue in this area.
  • Economic Development 1.3. Explore the potential to redevelop the Hempt Bros., Inc. quarry property.
    • Black commented that Hempt Bros. has not restored the quarry as they agreed to prior. It will be very expensive to do this and should not be the Township’s responsibility. If we are to adhere to this item, the Board needs to respond to Hempt Bros, review their restoration plan and begin again the discussion.
  • Economic Development 1.4. Meet with the Bon-Ton property owners to determine the potential to redevelop the property to complement surrounding retail development.
    • This has already been discussed within the Board.
  • Economic Development 1.6. Evaluate mixed use redevelopment opportunities surrounding the Capital City Mall and update the Township’s land use regulations as appropriate.
    • The Board has already discussed this concept. Keep in mind this is a ten-year vision.
  • Economic Development 1.7. Complete an assessment of vacant and underutilized parcels along the Gettysburg Road-State Street-Hummel Avenue corridor to determine properties suitable for redevelopment.
    • Trone discussed this was another strategy where there would be an actual study of this corridor. The Board did not feel they should be the actual facilitator of this item. They are willing to participate in this by promoting, reviewing and assisting.
  • Economic Development 1.1. Engage existing commercial property owners to identify existing needs and opportunities in order to encourage investment.
    • The Board is okay with this item.
  • Eby stated possibly a general statement to the extent that anywhere we are identified as a partner it is within our mission that we can vary our degree of leadership depending upon our expertise in each initiative.
  • Trone explained if the Board is in agreement, she was assuming that the testimony would generally state, “I am here to represent the Development Authority and we are in agreement to be the lead partner on many of the economic development strategies discussed in the comprehensive plan.” The Board agreed and asked Mrs. Trone to do a draft testimony and share with the Board via email.

STAFF UPDATE:

• Eby:

• Phase Arcona 2.2; late last year we produced all of the permits for thirteen apartment buildings, a community building, a maintenance building and today released the pool permit. This whole phase is approved under construction and zoning permits; however, it is not yet anywhere near ready to build. They needed to have these permits to do the financing. Mr. Eby stated this is a major development. The 2.3 is an extension of the village core; the main core is at the point of Lisburn and Arcona Roads; this will be across Arcona Road where there will be a village green (where a farmhouse once stood). They are doing mass grading now. This massive site work which will include controlled/engineered fill is going to take some time. They are doing part of this phase while they are doing the apartment phase. This is all between the railroad tracks and Arcona/Lisburn Roads off of the new Strong Road.
• Cliff’s Tavern – This will be in the Cedar Cliff Mall where the former Gullifty’s restaurant was located. Our staff met with the partnership group and there will be very little change. It should be ready later this month for inspections to gear up for reopening.
• Starbucks – Also in the Cedar Cliff Mall. They are wrapping up demolition and construction approval and construction will begin in the spring.
• World Energy – new owner which is headquartered in Boston. They are very conscientious. They have some storage tanks inside and are in limbo right now with DEP. Our Staff is assisting them to expedite permanent approvals. This is a significant business in the Township.
  • Black stated the Township has issued an RFP for expansion on the public works facility and is due this Friday. The basic thing they are looking for is additional equipment storage, etc. and he stated he feels this is a smart thing for the Township, equipment and for our employees. Mr. Black stated he will be responding to the RFP.

NEXT MEETING OF THE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

The next meeting of the Development Authority is scheduled for Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 6:00pm.

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting adjourned at 7:23pm.