Planning Commission
2-16-16 Minutes
MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION: LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING: FEBRUARY 16, 2016
The following were in ATTENDANCE:
PLANNING COMMISSION TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL
Brett McCreary, Chairman Daniel Flint, Community Development
Geir Magnusson, Vice-Chairman Julie Echterling, Recording Secretary
Brian Wickenheiser-arrived at 7:05
Samuel T. Bashore CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Michael Washburn Steve Hoffman
David Clovsky
ABSENT
Dr. Jean Dyszel, Secretary
Mr. McCreary called the February 16, 2016 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 January 16, 2016 meeting. Mr. wASHBURN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
OLD BUSINESS
SLD Docket No. 2015-13: Land Development Plan for Stone Gate Village:
Proposed construction of 88 single-family attached (townhomes) units, a clubhouse and pool, on 7.821 acres at the northeast corner of St. Johns Road and Lisburn Road.
Applicant Presentation
Mr. Ben Heisey, RJ Fisher & Associates, stated, at the last Planning Commission meeting they asked for a waiver of curbing on St. John’s Road. In speaking with Mr. Flint, they agreed to put curbing down St. John’s Road for the entrance into the Village and pay the fee in lieu of for the rest of road. He stated they are installing curbing and a paved walkway/sidewalk on Lisburn Road
Township Staff Comments
Mr. Flint stated the applicant asked for a change between the last Planning meeting and the Board of Commissioner’s meeting. The Board felt the plan should come back to the Planning Commission to review the requested change.
County Planning Commission Comments
Mr. Hoffman had no additional comments on the plan.
Commission Member Question and Answer
Mr. McCready asked why the curbing wasn’t being extended for the whole St. Johns Road. Mr. Fisher spoke about the shoulder and slope on the road. He spoke about how the stormwater flows now and they don’t want to change the flow with curbing.
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 provide curb along the St. Johns Road street frontage. Mr. MAGNUSSON seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Mr. WICKENHEISER made a motion to accept a deferral of the requirement to provide sidewalk along the St. Johns Road street frontage to an unspecified time. Mr. WASHBURN seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
NEW BUSINESS
SLD Docket No. 2016-01: Land Development Plan for Weis Market Store No. 125, Gas and Go: Proposed construction of fuel service facilities and canopy with a 6-pump capacity, and associated kiosk, at the existing retail store at 1195 Lowther Road.
Applicant Presentation
Mr. William Swanick, HRG, engineer for the plan, showed the Board the proposed location for the six gas pumps to be added to the Weis Market on Lowther Street. He stated the pumps would take out 20-30 parking spaces and leave plenty of parking spaces as required by the Township. He stated they received the Township’s comments and have no issues with them.
Township Staff Comments
Mr. Flint spoke about the concern for the vertical clearance for emergency vehicles. Mr. Swanick stated the clearance would not be an issue for those vehicles. Mr. Flint discussed the comment about lighting and how it shouldn’t exceed the property lines. Mr. Swanick stated no new lights would be added and there would be lights under the canopy. Mr. Flint stated the Township has a provision that limits the unloading of trucks between the hours of 10pm and 6am. Mr. Flint asked about the trip generation from these pumps. Mr. Swanick stated they have done surveys of these types and generally 70% of the business to the pumps is Weis customers already. He stated new trips are generally 18-20 during peak hours. Mr. Flint stated Public Safety asked if the pumps would be available when there is no attendant. Mr. Swanick stated no.
County Planning Commission Comments
Mr. Hoffman stated the applicant has received the County’s comments and there appears to be no issues with them.
Commission Member Question and Answer
Mr. Wickenheiser asked about the timing of the plan. Mr. Swanick stated as soon as possible in the spring with a 12-14 week turnaround. Mr. Clovsky asked the hours of operation and if the lights would be on when the pump is closed. Mr. Alex Ororbia, Weis Markets, stated the hours would be 6am to 11pm with the lights out when the pumps are closed.
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 from the requirement contained in Section 192-24.C to submit a Preliminary Plan. Mr. WASHBURN seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Mr. WICKENHEISER made a motion to accept a waiver of the requirement contained in Section 192-31.D Attachment 1.C.8 to provide a Location Map at a scale of 1” = 200’ or larger. Mr. WASHBURN seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Mr. WICKENHEISER made a motion to accept Waiver of the requirement contained in Section 192-31.D Attachment 1.D to provide an Existing Resource and Site Analysis Map. Mr. WASHBURN seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Mr. WICKENHEISER made a motion to accept the plan subject to final Township and County comments. Mr. WASHBURN seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for March 15, 2016 at 7:00pm. Mr. Flint stated there may not be a meeting in March.
ADJOURN
The regular meeting of the Planning Commission adjourned at 7:23pm.