MINUTES

PLANNING COMMISSION:                                             LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

 REGULAR MEETING:                                                      JUNE 18, 2019

 

The following were in ATTENDANCE:

 

PLANNING COMMISSION:	TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL:
Brett McCreary, Chairman Geir Magnusson, Vice-Chairman Jay Blackwell Brian Wickenheiser Samuel Bashore David Clovsky	Daniel Flint, P.E., Township Engineer Tina Thomas, Recording Secretary

Chairman McCreary called the June 18, 2019 Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:01 pm.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. MAGNUSSON moved to approve the minutes from the May 22, 2019 regular meeting. Mr. BASHORE seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.

OLD BUSINESS 

SLD Docket No. 2018-09:  Land Development Plan for Jenny’s Salon, 4500 Gettysburg Road

Proposed construction of a 3,469 square foot building addition and a 20 space parking area with driveway.

Applicant Presentation

Jason Wolfe of C.S. Davidson Inc. was in attendance to speak about the proposed building addition to Jenny’s Salon at 4500 Gettysburg Road. Mike Carricato , assistant to Jenny of Jenny’s Salon, was also present. Mr. Wolfe gave some history on some challenges they have faced with the proposed building addition plans. The need for a variance to encroach upon the setback for parking spaces led to the discovery of paper streets named Warrington Avenue and Trinity Place. The applicant has claimed the area to the center of the paper streets through simple title and recorded an informatory deed on May 13^th.  This results in a 20 foot section acquired around the corner. All zoning issues have been addressed. On May 22, 2019 the zoning variance was approved for the four inch encroachment on the five foot setback. There is now an area for 20 parking spaces with a turnaround behind the building.

Mr. Wolfe asked for the Planning Commission to approve the following four waivers:

1. Waiver of the requirement to provide sidewalk along the Rupp Avenue frontage. There is currently no existing sidewalk on this side of the road.
2. Modification of the requirement to provide sidewalk along the Gettysburg Road frontage, to allow construction of sidewalk within a Pedestrian Easement, rather than within the street right-of-way. This will prevent removing the large trees growing along the road in that section. The sidewalk would go from the property line to the driveway. It would not be continued to the corner due to the existence of a sign with an electric line.
3. Waiver of the requirement to provide curb widening and fill-in paving along the Gettysburg Road frontage. There is already an existing curb in this area.
4. Waiver from the requirement to provide a planting island at the end of each row of parking. The parking area is also the stormwater management area. Planting islands would be sitting atop of stone beds.

 

Mr. Wolfe also stated that an enclosed dumpster area with a pad is planned at the end of the drive aisle beside the building. The front parking lot currently has ADA accessible parking and it will just be switched to the other side of the parking lot. It will just need to be restriped.

Township Comments

Mr. Flint stated that this is the second review for this plan. He had responded to the majority of the comments at the time the plan was initially submitted. There are just some notes remaining regarding the developer agreement, stormwater, and indemnification agreement related to the paper streets. There is a utility pole and storm drain that are in the way on a corner. If there is a future construction project, all street corners would be redone. Mr. Flint also noted that Gettysburg Road is a state road and PennDOT does not prefer curbs along the road. Stormwater will also drain into grass instead of collecting along the curbs.

County Comments

The County review the Land Development plan initially and provided comments. They do not look at revised plans.

Commission Member Questions and Comments

Mr. Clovsky asked if there is going to be lighting in the parking lot. Mr. Carricato stated that there will be just enough lighting to provide safety.

Public Comment

None.

Action

Mr. BASHORE moved to approve the waiver of the requirement to provide sidewalk along the Rupp Avenue frontage and Mr. WICKENHEISER seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.

Mr. BASHORE moved to approve the modification of the requirement to provide sidewalk along the Gettysburg Road frontage, to allow construction of sidewalk within a Pedestrian Easement, rather than within the street right-of-way. Mr. WICKWNHEISER seconded the motion and the motion carried 6-0.

Mr. BASHORE moved to approve the waiver of the requirement to provide curb widening and fill-in paving along the Gettysburg Road frontage. Mr. WICKENHEISER seconded the motion and the motion carried 6-0.

Mr. BASHORE moved to approve the waiver of the requirement to provide a planting island at the end of each row of parking and Mr. BLACKWELL seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.

Mr. BASHORE moved to approve the proposed Land Development Plan for Jenny’s Salon, 4500 Gettysburg Road and Mr. CLOVSKY seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.

SLD Docket No. 2019-05:  Minor Land Development Plan for Verizon Wireless, 3628 Lisburn Road

Proposed construction of a 150 foot tall telecommunications monopole.

 

Mr. Flint spoke about this plan being delayed again due to some confusion about whether the pole is located in Upper or Lower Allen Township as it is right on the boundary. This would change the plan review if part of the work is in Upper Allen, or the pole location may need to be adjusted. Since the 90 days has expired, they will need offer a time extension to the Board of Commissioners. Verizon went before the Board of Commissioners due to an ordinance change related to the conditional use they were granted five years ago. They needed approval from the Commissioners to keep using the previous standards.

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Flint spoke about some upcoming plans that will be before the Planning Commission at next month’s meeting. These include a small building addition on Westport Drive, three commercial lots at Arcona Phase III along Lisburn Road, and the Township’s Pedestrian/Bike Study.

OTHER BUSINESS

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at 7:00 pm.

ADJOURNMENT

Mr. CLOVSKY moved to adjourn the regular meeting of the Planning Commission at 7:29 pm. Mr. BLACKWELL seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.