MINUTES

PLANNING COMMISSION	LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING	JULY 19, 2022
The following were in ATTENDANCE:
BOARD MEMBERS	TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL
Brett McCrearySam BashoreJay BlackwellDavid Clovsky Jeffrey Logan Brian Wickenheiser	Erin Trone, Assistant ManagerJohn Eby, Building and Zoning CoordinatorOTHER Commissioner Dean Villone

CALL TO ORDER AND PROOF OF PUBLICATION

Chairman McCreary called the July 19, 2022 Regular Meeting of the Lower Allen Township Planning Commission to order at 7:00 pm. He announced that proof of publication was available for review.

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
Mr. WICKENHEISER moved to approve the minutes, from the June 21, 2022, Regular Meeting, amended with a spelling correction.  Mr. BLACKWELL seconded. The motion carried 6-0.

OLD BUSINESS
Board of Commissioners Actions
Mr. Trone provided an overview of the plans that had been previously approved.

Ms. Trone reported that the Board of Commissioners approved:

i)  Approved Tommy Carwash with conditions on July 11, 2022. The Board of Commissioners approved the plan with conditions and expressed their concerns regarding traffic and safety. She noted there will likely be a wait of six months or more for outside agency approvals.

ii) Approved Sheepford Subdivision with conditions on July 11, 2022.

Major Subdivision and Land Development Plan SLD-2022-04 Arcona 8.2
Ms. Trone presented an update on SLD 2022-04 Arcona 8.2. The purpose of the planned subdivision is to create 56 single family lots and 88 single family attached units. The plan has been tabled twice and staff have met with Charter Homes several times to discuss the plans. A comment letter and their response were provided in the meeting packet. Most of the comments have been complied with. Staff had some concerns about snow removal. Charter Homes will keep the neighborhood streets private therefore snow removal will be the responsibility of Charter Homes. Waivers and modifications are requested.

Applicant Presentation
Laura Curran with Charter Homes presented the plan for Arcona 8.2. Using visual aids, she provided a summary of the plan, highlighting a variety of home offerings. She also reviewed an exhibit to demonstrate the overall recreation spaces within the Arcona development, to include the paved trail networks, nature trail, open gathering spaces open to the public, and parks. To date there are more than five miles of walking trails and Charter Homes is exploring a possible trail connection to Winding Hill Park in Upper Allen Township. The new neighborhood pool is planned on the west side of the railroad tracks. Other potential passive and active recreation areas will be discussed and presented to the township Recreation and Parks Committee on July 27, 2022. Ms. Trone noted that all recreation areas would be privately owned and maintained by the Arcona neighborhood association.

Ms. Trone added that Norfolk Southern and PennDOT would be doing rail replacement and installation of the trail connection at the Rossmoyne Road crossing on July 25-28, 2022, providing connectivity across the railroad tracks.

Commissioner Members Questions and Comments
Mr. McCreary expressed some concern about the limited, tight parking as well as the lack of open space visible in the plan, recalling the original representation by Charter Homes regarding open land. Mr. Dave Kay of Town Square stated there was a cumulative 27 acres of open space developed so far in the plan.

Mr. McCreary also asked for an explanation of the curbing waiver for the installation of Belgian Block. Ms. Curran explained that the requirement for PennDOT is a maintenance issue, but since the roads will be private, they will be maintained by Charter Homes and then the HOA.

Members engaged in a discussion regarding the responsibilities of the HOA to maintain privately owned roads and open recreation areas. There is a professional management team performing the maintenance services. Ms. Trone noted that the township could ask the HOA to present their budget annually, to ensure their fees are well in place to ensure that maintenance issues will be sufficiently addressed. Members also discussed the planned hierarchy of the HOA and the need for more resident engagement by the operations team.

Mr. Logan inquired as to whether there was sufficient area to move snow. Ms. Trone replied there was enough area but was not efficient for the township. A private company handles the snow removal.

Public Comment
Donna Krevlin, resident at 1419 Wolford way, expressed concerns about the limited open space and suggested additional areas for children to play. She also noted support for more trees, shaded areas, and parking. She also requested more lighting.

Ms. Trone noted that the township cannot compel the developer to commit to a specific type of recreation but could inform them of concerns expressed by residents. She also noted that lighting had been added to the plan, including additional illumination by the mailboxes and at each intersection.

Action: Recommendation of the proposed plan

Mr. BASHORE motioned to grant a waiver for 192-24.C Preliminary Plan. Mr. WICKENHEISER seconded. The motion carried 6-0.

Mr. BASHORE motioned to grant a waiver for 192-57. B(2((b) requiring lots to have frontage and access to a private/public street. Mr. WICKENHEISER seconded. The motion carried 6-0.

Mr. BASHORE motioned to grant a waiver for 192-57. B (3)(i)[1] requiring driveways to be more than 40’ from intersections. Mr. BLACKWELL seconded. The motion carried 6-0.

Mr. BASHORE motioned to grant a waiver for 192-57.C (1) requiring 50’ wide street right-of-way. Mr. BLACKWELL seconded. The motion carried 6-0.

Mr. BASHORE motioned to grant a waiver for 193-57.C (6)(b)(3)(a)(i) requiring Offsetting Streets to be at least 150 ft from the closest intersection. Mr. BLACKWELL seconded. The motion carried 6-0.

Mr. WICKENHEISER motioned to deny a waiver for 192-60 1 requiring recording fees paid prior to recording. Mr. CLOVSKY seconded. The motion carried 6-0.

Mr. BASHORE motioned to grant a waiver for 192-63 requiring curbing meets PennDOT standards. Mr. BLACKWELL seconded. The motion carried 6-0.

Mr. WICKENHEISER motioned to approve Major Subdivision and Land Development Plan SLD-2022-04 Arcona 8.2, respective of the conditions and conditioned on the recommendation to add lighting to the mailbox area. Mr. BLACKWELL seconded. The motion carried 6-0.

August Submissions
Ms. Trone noted that no submissions had been received.

NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for August 16, 2022 at 7PM.

ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned the meeting at 8:28 PM.