MINUTES

PLANNING COMMISSION:                                             LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING:                                                      SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

 

The following were in ATTENDANCE:

PLANNING COMMISSION:	TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL:
Brett McCreary, Chairman Brian Wickenheiser, Vice Chairman David Clovsky Jeff Logan	John Eby, Building and Zoning Coordinator Steve Hoffman, Cumberland County Planning Dept Tina Thomas, Recording Secretary

Mr. McCreary, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. He announced that Proof of Publication was available.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. CLOVSKY moved to approve the minutes from the July 21, 2020 regular meeting. Mr. LOGAN seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

OLD BUSINESS

None.

 

NEW BUSINESS

SLD Docket No. 2020-11:  Land Development Plan for 3709 Hartzdale Drive

Proposed construction of an 11,970 square foot building on a 0.78 acre lot.

 

Applicant Presentation

Adam Davis from BL Companies provided an overview of the project location on the overhead projector. He said that there is an existing single family dwelling on the property as well as a garage.  He said that access from Hartzdale Drive is from a shared driveway. Mr. Davis said that the same owner owns the lot being discussed as well as the lot to the east of it. The proposed use is for a professional, technical, or scientific business which would have a greater use for open space as opposed to offices. Mr. Davis said that the proposed almost 12,000 square foot building would have some parking, dumpster spaces, and overhead doors for accessibility. Primary access would be the bridge by the traffic light as well as for the residence. Mr. Davis noted that the Township would be provided with a cross access easement agreement but there should not be any issues with both lots owned by the same owner. Mr. Clovsky asked if the existing house and garage that were on the site have been torn down. Mr. Eby noted that they are already gone. The home on the other lot will be staying. Mr. Davis said that all drainage from the roof will go into the stormwater drainage basin, which is being enlarged. Runoff from the parking area will flow overland. He said they will be addressing the Township’s stormwater concerns; infiltration testing has already been coordinated. He said that they are requesting one waiver from the requirement to submit a preliminary plan.

 

Township Comments

Mr. Eby noted that Mr. Flint’s comments mainly had to do with the bridge on the property being inspected and rated for load bearing. Mr. Davis replied that the property owner is having the bridge inspected. Mr. Eby said that the cross-easements need to be submitted as previously discussed. He also noted that in the Zoning Comments, Mr. Flint had requested that the proposed use be clarified and fall within use restrictions of the C-4 Zoning District. Screening is also required between the lots as one is residential and one is commercial. Mr. Eby added that parking must be adequate and Mr. Davis replied that the tenant is not yet known but the calculation used was the same as the one for the more recently built building on the property. Mr. Eby said that Sewer Authority comments should be coming to the developer. The last concern that Mr. Flint mentioned was showing the location of the nearest fire hydrant which cannot be greater than 400 feet from the building.

 

County Comments

Mr. Steve Hoffman said that the Cumberland County Planning Department did not have any major comments outside of what Township staff had already covered.

 

Commission Member Questions and Comments

Mr. McCreary asked if the property is landlocked and Mr. Davis said that it is. Mr. McCreary commented that there will be issues if one lot sells and not the other. Mr. Eby said that the cross-easement agreements carry over to a new owner.

 

Mr. Logan asked if the new building will use well water and Mr. Davis said that it would use the same as the residential home. Mr. Eby noted that if the business had to have a sprinkler system, they would have to extend the water line.

 

Mr. Wickenheiser asked the purpose of the bridge inspection and Mr. Davis said it was needed for box trucks and temporarily for construction vehicles.

 

Public Comment

None.

 

Action

Mr. WICKENHEISER moved to grant the waiver from the requirement of submitting a preliminary plan. Mr. LOGAN seconded it. Motion carried 4-0.

 

Mr. WICKENHEISER moved to grant approval for the Land Development Plan for 3709 Hartzdale Drive subject to satisfaction of Township and County comments. Mr. LOGAN seconded the motion and the motion carried 4-0.

 

Mr. Eby added that revised plans will come in with the bridge inspection information before the plan goes before the Board of Commissioners for action.

 

SLD Docket No. 2020-12:  Land Development Plan for 1604 Main Street

Proposed subdivision of a 1.268 acre lot into three lots.

Mr. Eby said that Township and County staff do not feel that it is feasible to divide the area into three lots as there is no public water available. The applicant is re-thinking what they will do with the plan and asked to have the plan tabled.

 

Action

Mr. CLOVSKY moved to table SLD Docket No. 2020-12 at 1604 Main Street and Mr. LOGAN seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

 

SLD Docket No. 2013-08:  Preliminary Subdivision Plan for Highpoint. Request by the applicant for a waiver of the requirements to provide curb and fill-in paving along road frontage.

 

Mr. Eby noted that the applicant, Charter Homes, did not get the necessary information to Mr. Flint last week before he was out of the office this week. The waiver discussion will be deferred to a later date. He said that the applicant wanted to go before the Board of Commissioners this week but Mr. Flint felt it should first be presented to the Planning Commission as they are the recommending body for the waivers.  Mr. Eby said that there is no curbing from the exit of Thea toward Rocky Way and the edge of Highpoint on Lisburn Road. There is also no curbing from the speed table by Market House to the Upper Allen border along the rest of Arcona. He anticipates this being presented at the next meeting.

 

Mr. CLOVSKY moved to table Charter Homes’ request for a waiver from the requirement of curb and fill-in paying along road frontage. Mr. LOGAN seconded the motion and the motion carried 4-0.

 

Mr. LOGAN moved to adjourn the regular meeting of the Planning Commission at 7:33 pm. Mr. WICKENHEISER seconded it.