MINUTES

PLANNING COMMISSION:                                             LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING:                                                      NOVEMBER 20, 2018

 

The following were in ATTENDANCE:

PLANNING COMMISSION:	TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL:
Geir Magnusson, Vice ChairmanSamuel Bashore	Daniel Flint, P.E., Township EngineerTina Thomas, Recording Secretary
Brian Wickenheiser
Jay BlackwellDavid Clovsky
Michael Washburn

Mr. Bashore called the November 20, 2018 Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:03 pm.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Vice Chairman MAGNUSSON moved to approve the minutes from the September 18, 2018 regular meeting.  Mr. WICKENHEISER seconded the motion.  Motion carried 6-0.

OLD BUSINESS:  SLD Docket No. 2018-07: Land Development Plan for Rossmoyne Elementary School

Applicant Presentation:

Mr. Jeff Shyk from K&W Engineers and Mr. Brett Sanders from the West Shore School District were in attendance to make a presentation on the updated land development plan for Rossmoyne Elementary School. Since their last presentation, they have learned that PennDOT will not require that a traffic impact study be completed. They also accepted the improvements outlined in the scoping application submission. These include an eastbound left turn lane into the parent drop off loop and a deceleration lane westbound along Rossmoyne Road into the same loop. Prior to the dedicated left turn lane into the bus drop off, there is a shared center turn lane for both directions. Since this feedback was received, highway occupancy plans have been created and submitted to PennDOT. All other major concerns have been addressed. The NPDES permit has been obtained along with approval from the Sewer Authority and the DEP. The plan is basically the same as what was presented a couple of months ago.

Township Comments:

Mr. Flint spoke about the sidewalk which the applicant would be required to construct along Rossmoyne Road and Manor Drive according to ordinance. After talking with the school district, they have agreed to extend the sidewalk along Manor Drive down to Westport Drive and install a crosswalk there. There is already a trail in existence connecting Westport Drive to the neighborhood at Rossmoyne Manor. Following this, it is possible to cross the pedestrian bridge over Route 15 and reach Allen Middle School. This would be in lieu of a sidewalk along the frontage of Rossmoyne Road.

Mr. Flint stated that details are still to be worked out on how and where construction traffic will access the property. The Township is working with the school district and their construction manager on this. Curbs are not planned along the complete Rossmoyne Road frontage because this is a state road with a wide shoulder. PennDOT prefers to have the runoff come across into roadside stormwater conveyance systems. It is possible that there may be some curbs right at the driveway entrances.

Commission Member Questions:

Mr. Bashore asked if there will still be a planter island on the property. Mr. Shyk explained that the way the topography of the site is sloped, sheet flow will be in a different direction which will prevent the planter islands from collecting runoff. Instead a rain garden is being created on the side of the parking lot which will function in a similar manner to the islands.

Mr. Bashore also asked why a waiver was requested from providing financial security. Mr. Shyk stated that there is already going to be a performance bond with the contractor and the contractor is passing costs onto the owner. Since the School District is a public entity, it isn’t necessary. Mr. Flint stated that the requirement applies more to private developers who could potentially leave major issues unresolved. The Township feels that the School District will be able to fulfill all of the requirements and are therefore not being asked to put up financial security.

Action on SLD Docket No. 2018-07:

Mr. WASHBURN moved to accept a waiver from the requirement to submit a Preliminary Plan. Mr. BLACKWELL seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. Mr. Clovsky abstained.

Mr. WASHBURN moved to accept a waiver from the requirement to install curb along the Rossmoyne Road frontage, except in locations required by the PennDOT HOP. Mr. BLACKWELL seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0-1. Mr. Clovsky abstained.

Mr. WASHBURN moved to accept a modification to the requirement to install sidewalk along the Rossmoyne Road frontage, to allow construction of sidewalk along the Manor Drive frontage, extended to the Westport Drive intersection including a crosswalk across Westport Drive, in lieu of sidewalk along Rossmoyne Road. Vice Chairman MAGNUSSON seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0-1. Mr. Clovsky abstained.

Mr. WASHBURN moved to accept a waiver from the requirement that planting islands be designed to collect stormwater. Vice Chairman MAGNUSSON seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0-1. Mr. Clovsky abstained.

Mr. WASHBURN moved to accept a waiver from the requirement to provide financial security for improvements. Vice Chairman MAGNUSSON seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0-1. Mr. Clovsky abstained.

Mr. WASHBURN moved to accept the plan as presented including waivers approved by the Township and PennDOT. Vice Chairman MAGNUSSON seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-1, with Mr. Clovsky not in favor of the proposed plan due to safety concerns related to traffic in that area.

NEW BUSINESS                  None.

OTHER BUSINESS             None.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 7:00 pm.

ADJOURN

The regular meeting of the Planning Commission adjourned at 7:20 pm.