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Home»Planning Commission Minutes»Planning Commission
Minutes 4-21-15

Planning Commission
Minutes 4-21-15

MINUTES

PLANNING COMMISSION:                                                  LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING:                                                                 APRIL 21, 2015

The following were in ATTENDANCE:

PLANNING COMMISSION                                           TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL
Brett McCreary, Chairman                                        Daniel Flint, Township Engineer
Geir Magnusson, Vice-Chairman                              Julie Echterling, Recording Secretary
Dr. Jean Dyszel, Secretary
Brian Wickenheiser                                                   CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Samuel T. Bashore                                                    Steve Hoffman
Michael Washburn
ABSENT
Patricia Hall

Mr. McCreary called the April 21, 2015 Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:00 pm.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes
Mr. MAGNUSSON made a motion to approve the minutes from the February 17, 2015 meeting. Mr. WASHBURN seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0

NEW BUSINESS
SLD Docket No. No. 2015-03: 2720 Lisburn Road-Minor Subdivision Plan: Subdivision of an existing 14.53 acre lot into two lots 5.56 and 7.91acres.
Applicant Presentation
Mr. Dave Downey, Hartman & Associates, discussed the court decision to split the properties into two lots as part of an estate settlement. He discussed the location. He stated there were no issues with the Township and County comments.

Township Staff Comments
Mr. Flint stated since a new building lot is being created, accessibility to sewer service needs to be available. They are proposing public sewer which will need to be approved by the Authority.

County Planning Commission Comments
Mr. Hoffman stated he had the same type of comments as the Township.

Commission Member Question and Answer
There were no questions from the Commission.

Public Comments:
There was no public comments.

Action: Recommendations on requested waivers and on the Plan
Mr. WICKENHEISER made a motion to approve the requested waiver for the requirement contained in Section 197-57.C9 and Section 197-57.C requiring the installation of sidewalks, curbs and fill-in paving along street frontages. Dr. DYSZEL seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.

Mr. WICKENHEISER made a motion approve the plan subject to satisfactory completion of Township and County comments. Dr. DYSZEL seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.

SLD Docket No. No. 2015-04: 4530 Lena Drive Land Development Plan: Proposed construction of a 3-story office building, with 45,000 square feet of floor space (15,000) square feet per floor) on a 6.9 acre lot in Westport Business Center.
Applicant Presentation
Mr. Mark Jones, Burget & Associates, stated he is representing the Westport Business Center at 4530 Lena Drive. He stated they have received the comments from the Township and County. He stated the building would be about the 45,000 square feet with 230 parking spaces.

Township Staff Comments
Mr. Flint stated most of the comments are notations for the plan. He stated a decision on the sidewalks would need to be made as a waiver wasn’t requested. He stated some clarification is needed on the stormwater management plan. He stated outside agency approvals were also needed.

County Planning Commission Comments
Mr. Hoffman stated there appeared to be an error on the coversheet for the number of parking spaces. He stated the county is suggesting a crosswalk for the employees by the door for safety of the employees.

Commission Member Question and Answer
Mr. Wickenheiser asked how stormwater will be handled at the site. Mr. Jones discussed the basin and plan for stormwater for the site.

Public Comments:
There was no public comments.

Action: Recommendations on requested waivers and on the Plan
Mr. BASHORE made a motion to approve the requested waiver from the requirement to submit a Preliminary Plan. Mr. MAGNUSSON seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.

Mr. BASHORE made a motion to approve the requested waiver from the requirement to submit the required scale on profile drawings. Mr. MAGNUSSON seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.

Mr. BASHORE made a motion to approve the requested waiver from the requirement to show features 150 feet beyond the property line. Mr. MAGNUSSON seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.

Mr. BASHORE made a motion approve the plan subject to satisfactory completion of Township and County comments. Mr. MAGNUSSON seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.

OTHER BUSINESS:
SKETCH PLAN: Arcona Core, the second phase of the Arcona Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND), in the area of Rossmoyne, Lisburn and Arcona Roads. Proposed development consists of: 52 attached single family homes; 282 apartments; 32 mixed-use units; 55,728 square feet of commercial space, all on 27.68 acres.
Mr. Anthony Faranda-Diedrich, Charter Homes, showed the Board the location of the phase two. He stated they would be updating the master plan and discussed the vision for this phase. He spoke about the progress with Highpoint homes and of commercial buildings.

He spoke about the main street concept proposed for phase two. He discussed the specialty shops and potential daycare facility for the location. He stated the local road would be called Cona Road. He stated an apartment complex with a clubhouse and pool is planned for this phase.
He discussed the proposed three roundabouts. He provided the following information:

• Roundabout One: will be located at Arcona and Lisburn and would be constructed during this phase. Construction is slated to start in fall 2016 and be completed in spring 2017. The realignment of Arcona Road will start in May.
• Roundabout Two: will be located at Rossmoyne and Lisburn. There are federal grant monies available for this roundabout and should be started in summer 2017.
• Roundabout Three: will be located at Cona and Rossmoyne Road. Construction will be planned at a later time as it is not warranted during this phase. He stated the creation of Cona Road will lessen traffic from the first two roundabouts.
• He stated the roundabouts are constructed for trucks with mountable curbs/aprons.

He discussed the proposed trails including fitness areas on the trail along the trail and greenspaces. He showed the Board the renderings for the downtown look and the location of the trails. He spoke about the village concept and how it would be incorporated into this phase. He spoke about the open space and the proposed recreational park area. Mr. McCreary asked about public parking for the park. Mr. Faranda-Diedrich stated the park would be private and only usable by the homeowners of the development.

Mr. McCreary expressed concern about children crossing Rossmoyne Road and suggested having a pedestrian bridge or tunnel. He expressed concern for traffic backups on the road with the proposed roundabouts. He suggested a temporary traffic light at Cona and Rossmoyne to help with traffic. Mr. Faranda-Diedrich stated they are aware of traffic issues and are working with PennDOT and the Township to make traffic move at an acceptable rate. Mr. Wickenheiser stated there could be issues with approval of the plan if they don’t take into account public safety and traffic passing through this area. Mr. McCready agreed.

Mr. Wickenheiser asked if there would be elevators in the three story buildings. Mr. Faranda-Diedrich stated they aren’t required. Mr. Magnusson expressed concern about Cona Road and Arcona Road being so closely similar with emergency calls. Mr. McCreary asked him to look at the Rossmoyne Road issue with pedestrians and is concerned that cars won’t stop after coming out of two circles. Dr. Dyszel stated there are 19 issues outstanding and asked if they would have them addressed before submitting their plan and Mr. Faranda-Diedrich said yes.

Mr. Hoffman spoke about an issue with Street C with cars having to back out into traffic. He discussed concerns about lot 42 with turning around, backing out, and snow removal for the location.

NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for May 20, 2015 at 7:00pm. Mr. Flint indicated that no plans have been received and the May meeting will be cancelled.

ADJOURN
Meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm.