MINUTES

 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS                                      LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

 REGULAR MEETING                                                      JULY 8, 2019

 

The following were in ATTENDANCE:

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS                                      TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL

Edward Black, President                                                    Thomas G. Vernau, Jr., Township Manager

Dean W. Villone, Vice President                                          Erin G. Trone, Assistant Township Manager

Richard F. Schin                                                                    David Holl, Public Safety Director

Peddrick M. Young, Sr.                                                         Daniel Flint, Public Works Director

Carolyn  Holtzman                                                                 Richard Grove, Finance Director 

                                                                                               John Eby, Building & Zoning Coordinator

                                                                                               Leon Crone, Police Captain

                                                                                               Steven P. Miner, Solicitor

                                                                                   Tina Thomas, Recording Secretary                                                                         

 

President Black called the July 8, 2019 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 7:00 pm followed by a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. He announced that Proof of Publication was available for review.

MEETING MINUTES

Vice President VILLONE moved to approve the minutes from the June 24, 2019 Regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA

There was no response.

PRESIDENT BLACK

Check Register

Commissioner YOUNG moved to approve the Check Register of July 5, 2019 in the amount of $172,122.65. Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion and the motion carried 5-0.

ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP:

There was no response.

TOWNSHIP ENGINEER

SLD Docket No. 2018-09

Land Development Plan for Jenny’s Salon, 4500 Gettysburg Road

Mr. Flint gave a brief history of this building addition which involves a 3,469 square foot building addition and 20 space parking area with a driveway. He spoke about their stormwater management plan which consists of an infiltration system below the parking lot. This building plan has been approved and recommended by the Planning Commission. Jason Wolfe, a design consultant on this project from C.S. Davidson, was present to answer questions. The following waivers are being requested by the applicant:

 

i.  Waiver of the requirement contained in Section 192-57.C(9) to provide sidewalks along Rupp Avenue street frontage. If deemed necessary in the future, it would be the responsibility of the owner to provide the sidewalk. Commissioner YOUNG moved to approve this waiver and Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

ii.  Modification of the requirement contained in Section 192-57.C(9) to provide sidewalks along the Gettysburg Road frontage in a Pedestrian Easement rather than the street right-of-way. The sidewalk will be installed on the inside of the existing tree line. This would keep a row of shade trees from having to be removed. Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve the modification and Commissioner YOUNG seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

iii.  Waiver of the requirement contained in Sections 192-57.B(2)(h)[2] and 192-57.C(8) to provide curb along the Gettysburg Road frontage. If deemed necessary in the future, it would be the responsibility of the owner to provide the curbing. It is felt that the curb would interfere with the trees growing there and interrupt stormwater flow. Vice President VILLONE moved to approve this waiver and Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-1, with Commissioner Holtzman opposed.

iv.  Waiver of the requirement contained in Sections 192-57.B(2)(h)[2] and 192-57.C(13) to provide fill in paving. This would be required if curbing was to be installed. If deemed necessary in the future, it would be the responsibility of the owner to provide the fill in paving. Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve this waiver and Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-1 with Commissioner Holtzman opposed.

v.  Waiver of the requirement in Section 192-58.E(6) to provide a planting island at each end of each row of parking. Mr. Flint explained that one island is proposed but that the large stormwater infiltration area replaces the need for an island at the end of each row of parking. Mr. Wolfe stated that if planting islands were installed, the roots would interfere with the stormwater infiltration. Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve the waiver and Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

 

These waivers and modifications are not contrary to the public interest, and they maintain the purpose and intent of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.

 

vi.  Commissioner YOUNG moved to approve SLD Docket No. 2018-09: Land Development Plan for Jenny’s Salon, 4500 Gettysburg Road, contingent upon the following:

1. Providing the executed Developers Agreement and Improvement Security.
2. Providing the executed Stormwater Maintenance Agreement.

            Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion and the motion carried 5-0.

 

SLD Docket No. 2019-05

Minor Land Development Plan for Verizon Wireless, 3628 Lisburn Road

Mr. Flint explained that the applicant is seeking a time extension for the proposed construction of a 150 foot tall telecommunications monopole tower. During the plan review process, complications arose due to township boundary issues between Upper and Lower Allen Township. Time has passed since the telecommunications facilities ordinance covering construction of this tower was created. Ordinance changes will be on next month’s BOC agenda for consideration. A time extension would give the applicant until December 31, 2019. Commissioner YOUNG moved to approve the time extension and Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

 

SLD Docket No. 2019-07

Revised Final Subdivision / Land Development Plan for Arcona Phase 2.3

Mr. Flint stated that Phase 2.3 has been approved and construction has been ongoing in this section of Arcona, but the applicant is requesting to make the following modifications to the Plan: 

• Increase the number of dwelling units from 98 to 107.
• Decrease the proposed commercial space from 18,000 square feet to 14,300 square feet.

Mr. Anthony Faranda-Diedrich from Charter Homes was in attendance to provide explanation of the requested changes. He had Charlie Courtney from McNees &Wallace, Craig Mellott from Traffic Planning and Design, Inc., and Dave Kegerize from Townesquare Engineering with him. Mr. Faranda-Diedrich showed an overhead and pointed out where Markethouse Lane now connects Arcona Lane and Strong Road. There is also a greenspace in that area which is now in existence. He stated that the Plan modification is partly due to Charter Homes wanting to try out a new, smaller townhouse design in one area. The second area of change would be on the south side of the Arcona greenspace. Originally three commercial buildings were being considered – a large restaurant with 2 smaller buildings beside it, one for a coffee shop and one for a pizza shop. There was to have been office space above the restaurants. The larger restaurant Spring Gate now needs more than the originally planned 120 seats. They are now looking for 182 to 184 seats with a potential maximum of 200 seats. The coffee and pizza areas would be combined, and the office space eliminated. He stated that Charter Homes is addressing parking concerns with the Township. They hope to begin construction of both buildings by the 3^rd quarter of this year.  Mr. Faranda-Diedrich also stated that construction is set to begin this month on both roundabouts.

 

Mr. Courtney addressed parking demands for Spring Gate. They would like to be at 300 seats, but current parking spaces would limit them at 238. Based on transportation data, the apartments at Arcona should have 1.2 spaces per unit. They currently have 2.2 spaces per Lower Allen ordinance. They do not have garages. Mr. Courtney stated that there should be excess spaces in Arcona Strand that could be used for overflow for an event. They would provide signage for this type of event. Commissioner Young asked how far the extra parking spaces will be from the restaurant and Mr. Courtney stated they area within 600 feet.

 

Commissioner Schin inquired about the detours that will be used for the upcoming roundabout construction. Mr. Mellott stated that the roundabouts can be completed most quickly with a detour. Signs will direct traffic to the Route 15 interchanges when heading north or south. Drivers will be routed to Route 15 interchange before or after Rossmoyne. Vice President Villone asked how long the detour will last. Mr. Mellott said that a lot of things can affect the timeframe, but they are hoping to be done in 3 months, or the end of October. There are poles that must be relocated by PPL and inclement weather can also be a factor.

 

SLD Docket No. 2018-03

Reduction in Improvement Security for Arcona Phase 2.3

Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve a reduction in Improvement Security for Arcona Phase 2.3 which is already under construction and has been inspected. Based on the remaining outstanding items, the applicant requested a decrease in required security to $529,184.14 with an expiration of July 8, 2020. Commissioner YOUNG seconded the motion and the motion carried 5-0.

Final Payment to Asbury Atlantic, Inc.

Mr. Flint requested authorization of payment to Asbury Atlantic, Inc. for the right-of-way settlement for the Gettysburg Road relocation project. This payment of $219,600.00 will be reimbursed by PennDOT. Commissioner YOUNG moved to approve the payment and Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

 

Payment to PPL for Utility Relocations

Mr. Flint spoke about one of the costs of the Rossmoyne Road/Lisburn Road roundabout project being relocation of utility poles by PPL. They are entitled to reimbursement by the Township. The Township is entitled to reimbursement by the builder, Charter Homes. PPL estimates the cost to be $103,950.00. President Black asked if PPL is ready to go with the relocations. Mr. Flint said that PPL must get their Highway Occupancy Permit and receive the payment before the relocation can be scheduled. Commissioner YOUNG moved to approve the payment and Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

 

Payment to Penn State Construction for Public Works Building Addition

Commissioner SCHIN moved to authorize the first payment Penn State Construction in the amount of $12,150.00 for the General Construction contract for the Public Works building addition. Commissioner YOUNG seconded the motion and the motion carried 5-0.

 

Contract with McMahon Associates, Inc.

Mr. Flint asked for approval of a contract with McMahon Associates, Inc. for engineering design services on two Green-Light-Go projects. The proposed amount of $36,750.00 would fund the 17^th/18^th/Hummel/State signalized intersection and the Rossmoyne-Wesley Corridor project. This will be reimbursed 80% by PennDOT and the Township share will be less than what was budgeted. It will come out of the Highway Fund. Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve the contract and Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

 

COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Mr. Eby gave the following report from the Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB):

 

Docket #2019-05:  Matthew Farrell of 1130 St. Johns Road, Camp Hill, requested a variance from Section 220-102 to construct a 70’ x 80’ foot commercial building with reduced side and rear setbacks at 1120 St. Johns Road. The request was approved by the ZHB with a reminder to follow more stringent fire resistance regulations.

Docket #2019-06:  Kevin Engel of Engel Architects, 1854 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, requested a variance from section 220-167.B to establish an outdoor dog runway less than 200 feet from property lines at 925 Linda Lane. This request was approved.

Docket #2019-07:  Sue Kauffman of 1345 Yarmouth Lane, New Cumberland, requested a variance from Section 220-150.B(1) to install a play structure less than 5 feet from the property line. This request was approved.

The July 18^th Zoning Hearing Board meeting is cancelled as no new dockets have been submitted.

TOWNSHIP MANAGER

Promotion of Highway Supervisor

Mr. Thomas Vernau led a discussion on the promotion of a Highway Supervisor to fill the vacancy left when Mr. Bryan Harshbarger was promoted to Public Works Coordinator. The search is taking place internally and three letters of interest have been received. An additional hire will not be necessary to fill the internal position of someone being promoted because no one is leaving.  The supervisor position is already included in the budget.

COMMISSIONERS REPORTS

Director Holl thanked the Board for participating in the EMS event last Monday. He stated that there have been no problems since the ALS service began this week. He spoke about National Night Out which is to be held at 6:30 pm on August 6^th at Christian Life Assembly, the same place it was held last year. Also, the Lisburn Festival will take place August 7^th through 10^th.

Assistant Manager Erin Trone stated that next week the Community Development Department will be hosting an event for businesses in the C-1 Commercial Districts. This is in response to a review of uses by the Development Authority. Thirty letters were sent out to property owners requesting feedback. The meetings will be held on 7/16 at 3 pm and 7/18 at 10 am.

Commissioner Schin spoke about the fencing falling down at the trucking firm on Hartzdale Drive. Mr. Eby stated that this is an ongoing problem and it has been replaced in the past. President Black is in favor of letting them know it’s a property maintenance issue.

Vice President Villone asked where the Township stands with livestreaming the meetings. Mr. Vernau spoke about being in contact with 3^rd Element, who is designing a system customized for the Township needs. They have been testing the system and getting quotes for hardware. Vice President Villone also asked about getting the budget process started soon as it is the second half of the year. Mr. Vernau stated that the staff starts in August by collecting data and the public hearings start in October.

Mr. Vernau spoke about the unfinished paving around the Rossmoyne crossing where Norfolk Southern had finished rail replacement. There was concern that this would conflict with the closing of Lisburn Road at Rossmoyne for the roundabout project. The railroad has agreed to wait until this project is completed to finish their paving.

Mr. Eby spoke about the Yellow Breeches Watershed Association annual stream cleanup occurring July 14^th, depending on water levels. He also said that Arcona is considering a banner over Arcona Road to advertise upcoming events. This is a PennDOT road and they would need a resolution if it happens.

Mr. Flint stated that the contractor has been doing off-road site work at the roundabout on Lisburn Road. It has not yet impacted traffic. The detour is scheduled to begin Monday July 15^th. Commissioner Schin asked what happened to the metal bars at both ends of the Slate Hill bridge. Mr. Flint stated that they are not effective, so they are not going to replace them.

Mr. Jeffrey Logan of 3212 Emerson Way, Arcona, was present in the audience and wished to comment on the upcoming detour. He suggested that the Township use their website and Facebook page to explain the alternate routes available when the detour is in place. He feels this would be helpful to motorists that use this area.

President Black spoke about Lower Allen Township going live with our own medics on Monday morning. He stated that EMS is still getting medical director services from Pinnacle Health. Paramedics will also have radio contact with Pinnacle Health as needed.

  ADJOURNMENT

  The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourned at 8:24 pm.