Board of Commissioners
4-13-15 Minutes
MINUTES
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING APRIL 13, 2015
The following were in ATTENDANCE:
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL
H. Edward Black, President Thomas G. Vernau Jr., Township Manager
Peddrick M. Young, Sr, Vice President Erin Trone, Assistant Township Manager
Lloyd W. Bucher Frank Williamson, Chief of Police
Richard F. Schin Richard Grove, Finance Director
John T. Titzel John Eby, Building and Zoning Coordinator
Steven P. Miner, Solicitor
Julie Echterling, Recording Secretary
President Black called the 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.
APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve the minutes for the March 23, 2015 regular meeting. Commissioner BUCHER seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA
President Black inquired if anyone in the audience wished to address any item appearing on the agenda. Mr. Roger Meilton asked to speak on the Paving Contract and the Charter Homes plan. Mr. Tom Williams asked to speak on Charter Homes plan.
PRESIDENT BLACK
Approval of Check Registers
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to approve the Check Register of April 3, 2015 in the amount of $197,770.10, and a manual check written on March 25th in the amount of $4,000.00. Commissioner TITZEL seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Award Paving Contract
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to award a contract on a unit cost basis to Hempt Bros., Inc. for the 2015 Street Pavement Project, with a total estimated cost of $693,736.95, and removing Brandton Road and Indian Lane (Item No. 8) from the contract. Commissioner BUCHER seconded the motion. Mr. Roger Meilton, Brandton Road, asked why the roads were being excluded from the paving contract. President Black stated the low bid for the project was above the budgeted amount and those two roads were not getting full-depth reclamation like the other roads on the list. Mr. Vernau stated these roads can be patched this year and will be on the 2017-2018 paving schedule. Motion carried 5-0.
ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP
Mr. Clyde Miller, Shirley Miller’s son, spoke about her mother’s property at 4124 Seneca Avenue. He stated he was speaking for her and she would like to go on the record and say she has no objection to the proposed plan for the old Stevenson’s Flower shop. He stated that if the plan is approved she would like some assistance in blending her property with paving an access road from her property. He presented pictures to the Board of her property and the surrounding area. Mr. Eby spoke about the lot and the hammerhead turnaround that that would be placed there. Discussion ensued.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Charter Homes Traffic Plan for Arcona
Mr. Anthony Faranda-Diedrich, Charter Homes, provided a background of the traffic plan and timing. He stated after meeting with PennDOT and the Township, they have agreed on three roundabouts for the area. He showed the Board the look of the roundabouts and the locations. He stated the roundabouts would be single lane and would incorporate well into the village feel they are trying to create at Arcona. He stated density of the plan will change with putting the third roundabout at Rossmoyne Road and a few homes and commercial space will be lost.
Mr. Eric Mountz, Traffic Planning Design, spoke about the roundabouts and the design of them. He stated their observations have shown very little large truck traffic. The roundabouts will offer aprons for the truck to maneuver within the roundabouts. He stated the speed limit for the roundabouts should be around 20-25 mph. He stated a regional traffic study will be looking at 24 intersections that will be impacted by this development through both Lower Allen and Upper Allen Township.
Mr. Chuck Marks, Brandton Road, asked how trucks would be able to use the roundabouts and expressed concern about them. Mr. Mountz went into detail how the trucks would be able to use the roundabouts and how the aprons would assist the trucks. Mr. Marks expressed concern about getting out of Brandton Road onto Lisburn Road and how it is almost impossible at rush hour with the Rossmoyne Road light. He is concerned the roundabouts will not give them the time the light does to make the turn onto Lisburn.
Mr. Roger Meilton, Brandton Road, asked about a new intersection shown on the maps and asked about the traffic flow. Mr. Mountz stated it would have stop signs. Mr. Meilton expressed great concern about the three roundabouts and the lower speed limits in that, once out of them, people would speed up. This causes more issues with residents trying to access Lisburn Road from Brandton Road. He asked about the schools and bus schedule and how this slowing would impact their schedule. He expressed concern about the speed on Lisburn Rd. and how difficult it is for the police to monitor speeds on the road.
Mr. & Mrs. Williams, 1253 Rossmoyne Road, shared the same concerns that Mr. Meilton had about traffic for Rossmoyne Road. They are concerned about the trucks each day that miss the Route 15 entrance and turn around in the school and now they may try to use the roundabout on Rossmoyne. They asked the following questions and expressed the following concerns:
1. Mr. Williams stated several trains go through the area per hour. What is the feet between the road and train tracks and how many cars will fit between the roundabout and train tracks? Mr. Mountz stated that 25-28 cars would back up from a train.
2. The new road through the development that will exit unto Rossmoyne – what is to stop York County commuters from zipping through this new road to get to work? Mr. Mountz stated the new road will be used for the commuters and take some of the traffic off Lisburn Road. He stated the continuous flow is quicker than the lights.
3. Mr. Williams asked about density loss if they are redoing the master plan to add more homes and would they be added to the green spaces designated on the master plan. Mr. Faranda-Diedrich stated the master plan is being updated for the next phase. He stated no areas that have been designated green spaces would be used for homes.
4. Mr. Williams asked about the driveways on Lisburn Road with the roundabouts. Mr. Mountz stated the driveways will have an access road for them to enter the roundabouts.
5. Mrs. Williams expressed concern about the number of trains and the backlog of cars. She was concerned about a potential quiet zone reducing the speed which would slow the train and create a larger backlog than expected. Mr. Mountz spoke about a quiet zone which would not reduce the speed limit for the trains. It would include other safety features and would not require them to blow their whistle through the area. Mr. Faranda-Diedrich stated they have been in touch with Norfolk Southern and will include the quiet zone in the master plan. Mr. Williams expressed concern that the whistle will not sound as there are children in the area and the whistle is an alert for them and is a safety feature.
Mr. Paul Pittman, Brandton Road, expressed concern about the traffic with 1,200 homes times the number of vehicles per house. He is concerned about the traffic increase moving in and out of the area and exiting Brandton Road onto Lisburn Road.
President Black thanked the residents for expressing their concerns which will be reflected in the notes and will be provided to Charter Homes.
Mr. Faranda-Diedrich discussed the history of Highpoint. He stated the sketch plan for the next phase will be presented at the Planning Commission this month. He stated the next phase will be called Arcona Core. He showed the Board the location and pictures of the plan. The plan will be built on 30 acres and have the village concept. It will consist of specialty commercial buildings, townhouses, restaurants, mixed-use buildings, 280 apartments with a pool and clubhouse, park gathering place, playground/tot lot and trails. He discussed the following timing for the project:
• Updated master plan and updated MOU– present to Board in May 2015.
• Cona Project – Land Development Plan hope to record plan by Sept/Oct 2015.
• Cona Road – Start fall 2015 with an expected completion date of spring 2016.
• Realignment of Arcona Road – Have HOP this month – starting construction in May/June 2015.
• Cona/Rossmoyne Road Roundabout – on hold until warranted.
• Arcona and Lisburn Roundabout– Start permitting now. Hope to have HOP by fall 2016. Start construction in spring 2017.
• Rossmoyne/Lisburn Roundabout– Starting permitting now. Federal grant monies are available. Charter Homes will do all the design work and Township will apply for construction grant monies. Permits should be online for summer 2017.
He stated Charter will present an updated MOU with three roundabouts listed in the document. Charter will obligate construction with financial security for two of the roundabouts. He stated a financial obligation will not be provided for the third roundabout as it is not warranted. He stated a stop sign will be used at Cona and Rossmoyne Roads until development warrants the roundabout. Discussion ensued.
Mr. Meilton stated at the March 9th meeting the Board took action for the old Stevenson’s Flower shop because of concern about density. He is concerned about the impact of dropping 1,200 homes in his backyard for Brandton Road. He spoke about a 1998 study done about re-grading the road to help with visibility. He urged the Township to consider the study and consider modifying the bank for improving their line of sight.
Request for Security Release.
Mr. Eby stated there is a request for release of improvement security for SLD Docket No. 2013-03, Final Land Development Plan for Rossmoyne Business Center Hotel. This item will be ready for action at the next meeting.
Building Safety Month
Mr. Eby discussed his memo outlining May 2015 as Building Safety Month. He discussed the International Code Council and their function. He stated both federal and states will recognize Code Officials in May. He stated it draws attention to the important role code officials play in the safety, efficiency and natural disaster resistance of buildings within the communities they serve. Discussion ensued. The consensus of the Board was to draw up a resolution to recognize Building Safety Month.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Resignation of Officer Briana Gaumer
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to reluctantly but understandably accept the resignation of Officer Briana Gaumer from Lower Allen Township effective April 12, 2015. Vice President YOUNG seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Capital Purchase of EMS power stretcher
Chief Williamson discussed the budgeted item for the EMS power stretchers. He stated that after the budget process, a new, more user-friendly model came out and would be the best option for the ambulances. The cost would be more than budgeted, however it would save money in next year’s budget and there are monies that can cover the additional expense from the savings in the EMS uniform budget. Discussion ensued.
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to approve purchasing a Ferno IN/X Patient Transport and Loading System for a total price not to exceed $34,500. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Awards Presentation
Chief Williamson discussed his request to present CALEA and PLEAC Accreditation and Life Saving awards at the April 27th Board meeting. The Board agreed to his request for next meeting.
MANAGER
Away Meetings for 2015
Mr. Vernau stated in the past the Board has had meetings in other locations other than the Township Building. He asked the Board if they would like to have any in 2015 or 2016. Discussion ensued. President Black asked the Board to think about it and come back next meeting to discuss.
COMMISSIONERS REPORTS
Mr. Vernau discussed the action by Sunoco Pipeline to withdraw their petition from the PUC to be exempt from local zoning ordinances.
Commissioner Schin discussed a camper parked in Shireman Manor. Chief Williamson stated a PSO spoke with the family and they will have the camper moved within 24 hours.
Chief Williamson spoke about the TMI drill Tuesday night.
RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners recessed at 9:23 p.m. for the following legal discussion:
a. Pennsylvania Business Center Assessment Appeal
RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners reconvened at 9:47 p.m.
Pennsylvania Business Center Assessment Appeal
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to authorize the Solicitor to settle the tax appeal for the Pennsylvania Business Center, 2575 Utley Drive, for an assessed value of $3,285,700. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourned at 9:50 pm to executive session to discuss the following:
a. Police regionalization