WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

7171 ALLENTOWN BOULEVARD, HARRISBURG, PA  17112

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2005

Special Meeting 6:00 p.m.

Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT                                                          MEMBERS ABSENT

Jim Zeiters                                                                                Barbara Zemlock

David Wingeard                                                                       

Rick Bolt

Carol Buskirk

Terry Bailey

Marlin Moyer

 

STAFF PRESENT

Julie Hoepfer, Administrative Assistant                                       Al Brulo, Township Engineer

Robert Leonard, Zoning Administrator                                        Brian Dickson, DCPC

 

OTHERS PRESENT

Jim Cieri, Act One Consulting                                        Linda Turns

Ed Martin                                                                     Gloria Zimmerman

Joan Bretz                                                                    Joe Campbell

Connie Martin                                                               Eric & Cindy Hollenbach

Joe Macko                                                                    Mary Ann Yahn

Barry Calhoun                                                               Wanda Gomulka

Nancy Ludwig                                                              Tom Scully, R J Fisher

Marlin Wagner                                                              Jennifer Kappen

Harold Berman

 

I.                   CALL TO ORDER

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:07 p.m. by Chairman Zeiters.

 

II.                ROLL CALL

 

            Noted by recording secretary.

 

III.               SPECIAL MEETING – Properties to be considered for rezoning.  Chairman Zeiters reviewed the following list currently under consideration:

1.         Hanoverdale Hamlet area (old zoning, now R3) including the following requesting R3 and/or Neighborhood Commercial (NC) designations:

            A.        #68-039-024 Robert Vowler, from R3 to NC

            B.         #68-039-074, 018, 080, 075 Eric & Cindy Hollenbach from R3 to NC

            C.         #68-039-022 Travis Ludwig from R3 to NC

            D.        #68-035-068, Marlin Wagner from R3 to NC

            E.         #68-039-020 Jennifer Kappen from R3 to NC

            F.         #68-039-098 Ed & Connie Martin from FRA to NC

            G.         #68-039-017 Bob Gomulka from R3 to NC

            H.        #68-039-019 Robert Stanton from R3 to NC

2.         #68-022-088 Mary Ann Yahn from R1 to C

3.         #68-028-027 Jonestown Road from Bill McCahan (Joe Macko property) from CH to R2

4.         #68-024-119 Ken Tyndale from BE to CH

5.         #68-035-021 Joan Bretz from BE to CH

6.         #68-035-025 Chris Featherman from R3 to NC

 

IV        PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Joe Macko, 7307 Jonestown Road – Mr. Macko stated he bought his property 60 years ago as a commercial property.  He does commercial radio repair and wants his property to remain commercial.  (Item #3)

 

Wanda Gomulka, 529 Hershey Road – Mrs. Gomulka stated they purchased their property because of the light commercial zoning and does not understand why is was ever changed in the first place.  Request to remain commercial. (Item #1G)

 

Nancy Ludwig, - Bought the property because the Hamlet was desirable zoning.  Requesting to remain commercial and views the change to residential as a devaluation of the property.  (Item #1C)

 

Mary Ann Yahn, 325 Piketown Road – Ms. Yahn stated she owns property which includes a house and barn and some land across Piketown Road which is zoned Conservation.  Ms. Yahn would like her entire property to be zoned Conservation.  (Item #2)

 

Marlin Wagner, 501 Hershey Road – Mr. Wagner stated he is across the street from Agway and would like his property to remain commercial since he is in a commercial area. (Item #1D)

 

Jennifer Kappen, 521 Hershey Road – Ms. Kappen indicated their property was purchasedbecause of its potential for a commercial use.  Ms. Kappen requested the property to be zoned NC.  (Item #1E)

 

Eric Hollenbach, 518 Douglas Road – Mr. Hollenbach noted that he has made appeals to the township in the past to keep is property commercial.  There is now more traffic and commercial development on Route 39 than ever.  The property is located in a commercial area and he would like it to be zoned NC.  (Item #1B).

 

Joan Bretz, Clover Hill Business Park – Ms. Bretz noted that there is triangular parcel located in the Clover Hill Business Park which abuts the pump station.  A developer could not easily locate an office building in that section and requested that it be zoned Commercial Highway instead of BE.  (Item # 5)

 

Ed Martin, 7943 Red Top Road – Mr. Martin stated that some of his property is zoned FRA and he would like to have it all be zoned NC.  Chairman Zeiters asked how the property would be accessed.  Mr. Martin stated through the property where the storage units are located.  (Item #1F)

 

Joe Campbell, 7945 Red Top Road – Mr. Campbell stated he is opposed to any change in zoning to the right side of his drive.  He would like it to remain FRA.

 

Joe Macko – Mr. Macko added that he has an FCC license to do radio work which is another reason for his property to remain commercial.

 

Mr. Wingeard noted that those individuals who live in the Hanoverdale area would still be allowed to operate a home occupation under residential zoning.  Residents agreed they were not thinking of home occupations but possible commercial uses.

 

Eric Hollenbach – Mr. Hollenbach added that the residents in the Hanoverdale area desire to keep their options open.  If a developer came in, it could be several properties could be obtained to make a larger parcel for development.

 

Harold Berman – Harbor Gardens – Mr. Berman stated he operated Harbor Gardens for 12 years.  He is now in real estate.  Route 39 has to expand due to the additional traffic and development in South Hanover Township.  It is unrealistic to assume this area will stay residential, as no one would want to live along such a busy highway.  The owners in that area do no want their properties devalued or restricted.

 

Chairman Zeiters reported that PENNDOT conducted a study of Route 39 and improvements are minor at this time.  There was discussion at one time to by-pass the Hanoverdale area, however due to events in East Hanover the talk is now centered on possible improvements to Route 743 to make it a major route from Hershey to the casinos in East Hanover.

 

Mr. Leonard reported that Mr. Vowler may want his property to remain R3, however he will clarify.  Douglas Road residents want to remain R3, however there has been no correspondence or appearance from the owner of parcel #23.  Mr. Leonard suggested this parcel be included in the NC zoning to remain consistent. 

 

After some discussion, the Planning Commission made the following recommendations:

 

MOTIONS

 

1.         #68-039-074, 018, & 080 (Eric & Cindy Hollenbach), #68-039-022 (Travis Ludwig), #68-035-068 (Marlin Wagner), #68-039-020 (Jennifer Kappen), #68-039-017 (Bob Gomulka) and #68-039-019 (Robert Stanton) and 68-039-023 to be rezoned from R3 to NC, with the exception of the Douglas Road pieces (approximately 200’ off Douglas Road) which shall remain R3.  Mr. Wingeard moved, seconded by Mr. Bailey.  Motion passed unanimously.  (Items 1b, c, d, e, h i)

 

2.         #68-039-024 (Robert Vowler) to remain as is at R3.  Mr. Bolt moved, seconded by Mr. Wingeard.  Motion passed unanimously. (Item 1a)

 

3.         #68-039-098 (Ed & Connie Martin) balance to remain FRA due to the environmental limitations of the property.  Ms. Buskirk moved, seconded by Mr. Bolt.  Motion passed unanimously.  (Item 1f)

 

4.         #68-022-088 (Mary Ann Yahn) east side of Piketown road to be rezoned from R1 to C.  Ms. Buskirk moved, seconded by Mr. Bailey.  Motion passed unanimously.  (Item 2)

 

5.         #68-028-027 (Joe Macko) to remain CH.  Mr. Wingeard moved, seconded by Mr. Bailey.  Motion passed unanimously.  (Item #3)

 

6.         #68-024-119 & 108(Ken Tyndale) & #68-035-021 (Joan Bretz) to be rezoned from BE to CH.  Mr. Bolt moved, seconded by Mr. Moyer.  Motion passed unanimously.  (Item #4 & 5)

 

7.         #68-035-025 (Chris Featherman) to remain as R3.  Mr. Bolt moved, seconded by Ms. Buskirk.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

V.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Ms. Buskirk moved, seconded by Mr. Moyer to approve the September 14, 2005 workshop meeting minutes with the following corrections:

·         Page 1 195-124A(3) Remove:  See Figures 3 and 3a.

·         Page 4 195-149A(1) Last row add “on the lot” and correct misspelling of park.

·         Include the definition of electronic signs

·         Page 5 195-150K(2) add: “of store frontage”

·         Page 5 195-175 Remove the word “nonconforming”.

The motion passed with Mr. Wingeard abstaining.

 

Ms. Buskirk moved, seconded by Mr. Wingeard, to approve the September 22, 2005 regular meeting minutes.  The motion passed with Mr. Moyer abstaining.

 

VI.       SUBDIVISION/LAND DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS

 

A.                 Sketch Plan

 

B.                 Preliminary and/or Final Subdivision/Land Development Plans

 

1.       #05.016 F/SB Brookview Phase II – Mr. Cieri, Act One Consultants was in attendance to represent the plan.

 

Mr. Brulo reviewed the following comments from his October 20, 2005 report:

#1B Submit a letter summarizing the projected number of units in the previously submitted TIS versus the number of units currently being proposed.

#3A Provide an autoturn analysis.

#3B Provide a complete metes and bounds description of the new land area that is proposed to be offered as dedicated ROW.

#5A Show location of emergency spillway for detention area #2

#5B Show existing conveyance facilities on plan view from the temporary outlet on the temporary cul-de-sac on Fort Stewart Drive.

#5C Provide conveyance facilities on the plan and in the drainage report from the storm sewer outfall from the cul de sac on Beaver Creek Road

#5D Provide infiltration test results and computations to confirm the size of infiltration facilities for each house per detail.

 

Mr. Leonard, presented comments dated October 17, 2005:

#1 Where are the elevations of the outlets from Detention Pond #2 in relation to lots 22 & 23?

 

Ms. Buskirk presented the EAC comments dated October 19, 2005:

#1 The detail of DA #2 on page 10/15 has not been updated.  It still shows open space B and grading on lot 40 has not been revised to match the ESC revised plan on 15/15.

Ms. Buskirk asked about rain gardens for roof drains.  Mr. Cieri indicated they are still doing testing for infiltration.

 

MOTION #1

Mr. Bolt moved, seconded by Mr. Bailey, to recommend approval of the following waivers:

1.       Section 173-15B(29) Driveway locations and sight distances.

2.       Section 173-15C(11) Traffic impact study

The motion passed unanimously.

 

MOTION #2

Mr. Bolt moved, seconded by Mr. Bailey to recommend approve of final subdivision plan #05.016 Brookview Phase II, tax parcel #68-022-95 & 096 contingent upon:

·         Approval of the waivers by the BOS

·         Paying the fee in lieu of parkland dedication

·         Posting of the proper improvement guarantee and execution of a development agreement

·         Addressing outstanding review comments from the township staff, township engineer, EAC, PSAB, DCPC and the Park and Recreation Board prior to being placed on the BOS agenda.

·         Other items determined necessary by Township Ordinance.

The motion passed unanimously.

 

3.       #05.017 Mayberry Phase II, Eastern Communities Limited – Tom Scully from R J Fisher was in attendance to represent the plan.

 

Mr. Brulo reviewed the following comments from his October 20, 2005 report:

#1C Provide a letter summarizing the projected number of units in the previously submitted TIS versus the number of units currently being proposed.

 

Brian Dickson, Dauphin County Planning Commission, presented the following comments:

#7 According to minimum lot calculations calculated on the plan, lots 42 and 44 have smaller lot areas that calculated for the plan.

#8 Please verify BSL is 100’ on lot 40 and 64.

#13 As there are more than 6 lots in the development, sidewalks are required.

#14 There does not appear to be sufficient monuments and markers identified on plan, especially at lot corners.

 

Mr. Leonard, presented comments dated October 18, 2005:

#3 Any retaining walls over 3’ need to be submitted to the Township Engineer for design review.  Tom Scully indicated there is a note on the plan.

#4 Still have concerns over final grading behind lots 66 through 71.  Swale very shallow at base of large hill.

#5 Add fire hydrant between lots 45 & 46.  Move hydrant from between lots 40 & 41 to between lots 39 & 40.  Plan for a hydrant along Main Street in Phase  3 (from PSAB).

 

Ms. Buskirk asked for improve infiltration to the wetland area and for clarification of the streetlight wattage.  Chairman Zeiters asked for clarification of the minimum lot size on lots 42 & 44.  Mr. Scully stated this till be adjusted.

 

MOTION #1

Mr. Bolt moved, seconded by Mr. Moyer to recommend approval of the following waivers:

1.                   Section 173-15C(6) Stormwater management plan

2.                   Section 173-15C(8) Wetlands Study

3.                   Section 173-15C(11) Traffic Study

The motion passed unanimously.

 

MOTION #2

Mr. Bolt moved, seconded by Ms. Buskirk to recommend approval of final subdivision plan #05.017, Mayberry Phase II, tax parcel #68-030-019 contingent upon:

·         Approval of the Erosion and Sedimentation Control plan by DCCD

·         Approval of waivers by the BOS

·         Paying the fee in lieu of parkland dedication

·         Posting of the proper improvement guarantee and execution of a development agreement

·         Addressing outstanding review comments from the Township staff, township engineer, EAC, PSAB, DCPC and the Park and Recreation Board prior to being placed on the BOS agenda.

·         Other items determined necessary by Township Ordinances

The motion passed unanimously.

 

VII.      OLD BUSINESS
 

A.     Act 537 Plan Comments – Chairman Zeiters felt the plan generally conforms to the Comprehensive Plan.  Ms. Buskirk agreed and added that the Township should continue to focus on residents who have failing on lot systems to address them in order to keep sewers from outside the growth area.  Mr. Wingeard stated the plan seemed pretty consistent with the growth area as shown in the Comprehensive Plan.

 

MOTION

Mr. Wingeard moved, seconded by Ms. Buskirk to recommend the Board of Supervisors adopt the Act 537 plan.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

B.     Review & Recommend Zoning Ordinance Update #2 - Ms. Buskirk stated on page 11 she remembers agreeing to 80% open space for the FRA district.  Mr. Leonard indicated his notes reflected a change to 60% as a trade off for requiring the minimum lot area of 10 acres, which is under review by the Township Solicitor.  Chairman Zeiters stated Londonderry Township has a good ordinance for farm animals and number of acres.  Mr. Dickson will provide a copy of the ordinance for the Commission to review.  The following changes were made:

 

195-87A(2) Active recreation (excluding motorist  trails for motorized vehicles).

 

195-88J Required open space areas shall be in the form of contiguous tracts.  Where practical linear trails shall connect to larger open space tracts or parks.  Where strips of open land are designated as separate, noncontiguous parcels, constituting part of the required minimum open space, these areas shall have a length-to-width ratio of less than 4 to 1, except with areas that are specifically designed as pedestrian ways, in which case they shall form a contiguous trail system.

 

195-78F To minimize impacts of wetland impacts.

 

195-79(2) Wet Hydric soils.  All wet hydric soils immediately adjacent to or bordering within 50 feet of the perennial stream watercourse.  For the purpose of this chapter, these areas are considered hydrologically related to the waterway/watercourse.  Wet Hydric soils may include springs, vernal ponds, and other intermittent drainage areas.

 

195-81A Establishment of district.  The LPPOD shall be established as the area in or with 25 50 feet of a lake of pond.  (See Illustration 16).  All natural and man-made lakes, ponds and established easement areas (excluding stormwater management facilities) shall remain in permanent open space.  Because these areas may relate to other hydrologic features, no development or diverting of these water bodies shall be permitted without proper approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (hereinafter called “PADEP”).

 

195-82A - A. Establishment of WPOD.  The WPOD shall apply to all lands in or within 50 25 feet of a nontidal wetland or mitigated wetlands located within the Township.  (See Illustration 16)  The WPOD shall be based on a wetland investigation by the applicant.  The environmental limitations map of the Comprehensive Plan may be used as a guide for determining the general location of wetlands.  Wetland delineations shall be performed in accordance with the procedures of the PADEP as specified in the Federal Manual of Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands and any subsequent amendments thereto.  Wetland mitigation shall be permitted.  Wetland mitigation shall be approved by PADEP.  Wetlands proposed to be mitigated shall not be considered part of the WPOD.

 

195-94I – Where public sewage is available, the minimum lot area shall not be less than 1.5 times the minimum lot area required for the district in which it is located.  in order  This requirement is intended to accommodate additional parking, setbacks, coverage regulations and other requirements, as applicable.

 

MOTION

Mr. Wingeard moved, seconded by Mr. Bailey to make the discussed changes and send back to Dauphin County Planning Commission for review and comment.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

VIII.    NEW BUSINESS

 

IX.       OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION

 

X.        ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.