MINUTES

PLANNING COMMISSION:                                             LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

 REGULAR MEETING:                                                      MAY 16, 2018

 

The following were in ATTENDANCE:

 

PLANNING COMMISSION:	TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL:
Brett McCreary, Chairman	John Eby, Community Development
Geir Magnusson, Vice-Chairman	Julie Echterling, Recording Secretary
Samuel T. Bashore, Secretary	Dean Villone, Commissioner
Brian Wickenheiser
Jay Blackwell

 

Mr. McCreary called the May 16, 2018 Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:00 pm.

NEW BUSINESS

Sketch Plan:  New Grades K-4 School – Existing Rossmoyne ES Site for West Shore School District.

Mr. Marc Kurowski, K&W Engineers, introduced the plan to the Board.  He discussed the existing Rossmoyne Elementary School and the plan to improve the school.  He spoke about the grading issues on the lot, large gas line, and easements on the property.  They plan on using the existing entrance on Rossmoyne Road and have loops for busses and parents to use for access.  He discussed access on Manor Drive for trash and service loading.  He detailed the stormwater plan including using the existing system and adding to it.  He spoke about the issues with sidewalks on Manor Drive with the utility poles.  He stated construction would happen primarily during the summer and continue when school is back in session.  There will be fences around the site which Mr. Eby stated would need to comply with code for construction.  They have received the comments from John Eby and Dan Flint and believe nothing is insurmountable. 

Mr. Eby showed the Board the existing building on the tax map.  He went over each of the seven comments from Township Engineer Flint. He emphasized the comment about keeping the sidewalk along Manor Drive out of the right of way and the requirement it meet ADA requirements for slope.  He spoke about Fire Department Connection and access requirements which will be required with the formal plan.  Additional comments will be provided with the submitted plan.  Cumberland County doesn’t review sketch plans.

Mr. McCreary asked about students walking to school.  Mr. Brett Sanders, WSSD Director of Operations, spoke about the traffic on Rossmoyne Road and safety issues with children walking to school.  Below are the questions and answers with the Board:

Mr. McCreary – How many kids are the in the school now versus proposed?  Where will 5-6^th grades go?

Mr. Sanders – 200 now and will be designed for 448.  The 5-6^th grades will go to Fairview.

Mr. McCreary – Will there be just one way in and out?  He is concerned about traffic.

Mr. Sanders – Yes.  He spoke about unknowns for traffic including how many parents will drop off and the number of students coming from Arcona.  They looked at the access points and all have challenges.  The main traffic will be for 30 minutes in the morning and afternoon versus all day.

Commissioner Villone has several concerns about the plan.  He is concerned about Arcona and the increased population.  He is concerned about the tight space with traffic.  He doesn’t believe they have enough parking for any special events at the school.  He is concerned with connectivity as this is a goal of the Comprehensive Plan.  He believes the Board of Commissioners will also be concerned with this issue.

Mr. McCreary expressed concern about the traffic light down from the school and how it is a tough light because of the access and coming down the hill.  He is concerned with the one way in and out and the increased traffic.  Mr. Blackwell agreed with Mr. McCreary and is also concerned about the entrance.   Mr. Bashore asked if they could use Ravenwood Road.  Mr. Kurowski spoke about the cost and time associated with that solution.  Mr. Eby asked their timeline for the plan.  Mr. Sanders stated they would like to have it out for bid and approved in the October 2018 Board meeting and finished for Fall 2020. 

Mrs. Echterling asked them about taking their time to find another option for the entrance including working with PennDOT. She is concerned with the development of Arcona and how many children may come to the school.  She believes the school being built will need to meet the needs of the community and “last” for 20 years.   Mr. Eby spoke about the demographics for Arcona with each household projected to have one child which is a change from prior years.  Mr. Sanders also discussed how they figure out demographics.  Discussion ensued.

 Mr. Kurowski will take the Board’s feedback and may have another sit down with the Township about the plan.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 7:00pm.  Mrs. Echterling informed the Board this is her last meeting and Tina Thomas will be taking over for her.  She expressed her gratitude to the Board for their kindness and how much she enjoyed working with them.

ADJOURN

The regular meeting of the Planning Commission adjourned at 8:04 pm.