WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

7171 ALLENTOWN BOULEVARD, HARRISBURG, PA  17112

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2006

 

MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                  MEMBERS ABSENT

Jim Zeiters                                                                                        

Rick Bolt                                                                                           

Terry Bailey

David Wingeard

Carol Buskirk

Gerry Longenecker

Marlin Moyer

 

STAFF PRESENT

Julie Hoepfer, Administrative Assistant                                          Al Brulo, Township Engineer

Robert Leonard, Zoning Administrator                                           Brian Dickson, DCPC

 

OTHERS PRESENT

Linda Turns                                                                                        Steven Todd

Bill Ostermayer                                                                                              Joseph Lelii

 

I.               CALL TO ORDER

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Chairman Zeiters.

 

II.             ROLL CALL

 

              Noted by recording secretary.

 

III.           APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Ms. Buskirk moved, seconded by Mr. Bailey to approve the January 26, 2006 meeting minutes.  The motion passed with Mr. Zeiters abstaining.

 

Ms. Buskirk moved, seconded by Mr. Moyer to approve the February 8, 2006 workshop meeting minutes.  The motion passed with Mr. Zeiters abstaining.

 

IV         PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Linda Turns, 8000 Rabbit Lane – Ms. Turns stated she had a question about the minutes for the Townes of Hershey Road.  The Neiss’s own the adjoining property where the road is to be constructed.  Ms. Turns stated that Mr. Brulo indicated the developer can either get an agreement from the property owner or seek a zoning variance.  Ms. Turns wondered how an agreement from the homeowner would be enough since the zoning ordinance states the driveway needs to be 10’ from the property line.  So how could an agreement from the owner to the developer satisfy the ordinance requirements. 

 

Mr. Brulo stated he believes he was indicating that if there would be work done on the driveway in front of the property owners’ property in the right-of-way they need to obtain an agreement from the resident to do work in that area.  Ms. Turns did not understand how this plan got to the Supervisors in this condition.  Ms. Turns reminded the Planning Commission that any zoning issues need to be resolved before plans are placed on the Board agenda.

 

Mr. Brulo indicated he would have to go back and review the plan, but generally when work is being done in front of a person’s house within the right-of-way of the road, an agreement would be required.  Mr. Brulo added that in no way would he imply that the zoning ordinance could be waived, it would have to go before the Zoning Hearing Board.

 

Ms. Turns added that she has been working with the Neiss’s on this issue and felt their best bet was to sell the house.

 

V           SUBDIVISION/LAND DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS

 

A.             Sketch Plan

 

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

 

1.    #05.021 Millstone Phase III, S & A Homes Inc. – Tabled.

             

2.     #06.001 F/LD T/A 3 Bay Expansion – Steven Todd, Buchart-Horn, was in attendance to represent the plan.  The purpose of the expansion is to add three new bays for tire changing only.  There will be no oil changes or new utilities.

 

Mr. Brulo presented comments from his February 16, 2006 report:

#1A      Label plan as “Final.”

              #1C      Show at least one concrete monument

              #1E       Add to HOP note “… if any work is to be conducted within the state right-of-way of SR 0039,”

              #1G      Conduct a wetland investigation in the area of the parking lot expansion and provide the appropriate wetland notes on the plan.

              #1H      Withdraw this waiver request. (Water feasibility report)

              #1I        Withdraw this waiver request.  Describe the easement around the watercourse.

              #1J       Same as item #1I.  Show items

              #1K      Change wording to request waiver of land and fees.

              #1L       This waiver may not be needed, may be exempt.

              #2         ROW to be dedicated to PENNDOT.  Call out existing ROW as legal.

              #4         Add note stating that all design and calculations for the retaining wall are to be sealed by a Professional Engineer and submitted to the Township for review and approval prior to the construction of the wall and to issuance of an occupancy permit.

              #5         Clarify the type of trucks for the turning radius shown to enter and exit the new bays.  Trailers are now 53’, a larger turning radius needs to be shown.

              #8         Provide an ADT increase to determine the contribution toward the SR0039 project.

              #9         Show .05 footcandle limit on the lighting plan.

 

              Mr. Dickson, DCPC, presented comments from his February 14, 2005 report:

              #8         Building outline and corresponding text is barely readable.  On the land use scheme map it would be helpful to show the expansion area and building dimensions.

             

              Mr. Leonard, Zoning Officer, presented comments from his February 15, 2006 report:

              #5         Is the existing gas line to be relocated?  Yes.

              #11       There may be slope issues behind the addition that need to be addressed.  Provide a detail of the slope above the wall drawing of the hillside.  Verify if this is a natural hillside.

 

Motion #1

Ms. Buskirk moved, seconded by Mr. Wingeard to table plan #06.001, TA 3 Bay Expansion, due to outstanding staff and engineering comments, including the steep slope issues and truck/emergency vehicle circulation throughout the site.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

VI.        OLD BUSINESS
 

VII.    NEW BUSINESS

 

A.    #2006.01 Rezoning Request – Joseph, John & Flaviano Lelii, 7218 Linglestown Road – Mr. Lelii stated they would like this property to be rezoned from RR to R1 for a single family development.  Mr. Lelii stated this property borders the Winslett property. 

 

Mr. Dickson, DCPC, stated that the county continues to be concerned with increased traffic on Rt 39 due to land use changes that promote more traffic.  A zoning change from RR to R1 could conceivably allow more lots to be subdivided on this property, therefore increasing the amount of vehicles accessing Rt 39.  The RR zoning district is also intended to act as a buffer zone between agricultural areas and other zoning districts.  If this property is rezoned, it will mean the loss of another buffer area.  For these reasons, Dauphin County Planning Commission cannot support this requested zoning change.

 

Mr. Leonard stated the parcel is in the growth area, however there is no public water or sewer to this property without extensions.  The property does have significant environmental features which will make development a challenge.

 

Ms. Buskirk asked how long this property has been zoned RR.  Mr. Leonard stated since at least 1995.  Mr. Lelii verified that it was RR when he purchased the property.  Mr. Bolt asked Mr. Lelii if he investigated the feasibility of development.  Mr. Lelii stated they have not hired an engineer yet.  Mr. Bolt expressed his concern with the extent of the wetlands.

 

Mr. Moyer indicated the site has many environmental issues and he would like to see less intense development on Rt 39.  Mr. Moyer added he agrees with the County comments.

 

Mr. Bailey wondered how the Winslett development received approval if the plan was to limit development on Rt 39.  Chairman Zeiters stated that approval came before the Rt 39 study and was suppose to be the last of the R1 zoning along that corridor.

 

Motion

Mr. Wingeard moved, seconded by Ms. Buskirk to recommend denial of Rezoning Request #2006.01 of Joseph, John and Flaviano Lelii due to the fact that it is contrary to the recently updated Comprehensive Plan and surrounded on three sides by RR zoning.  The motion passed 6-1 with Mr. Bailey voting nay.

 

Ms. Turns stated she didn’t have an opportunity to say a thing about a helicopter coming to her backyard and felt that Mr. Moyer and Mr. Bailey should have recused themselves from voting on the plan.  Mr. Bailey indicated he has no financial interest in this plan.  Mr. Bailey thanked Ms. Turns for her opinion.

 

B.    #2006-01 Conditional Use Request, Barry Pagliaro, 7201 Allentown Boulevard – Mr. Leonard explained that the applicant bought the Beyers property along Allentown Boulevard with the intent of using a large warehouse portion of the building to house a small garage door assembly business.  The best definition of Mr. Pagliaro’s business, Alto Door Company, is light industry, which is a Conditional Use in the Commercial Highway Zoning District (under Section 195-57.B).  Specific standards for light industry are in Section 195-178, while general standards for Conditional Use are spelled out in Section 195-188.  The lot is 3.78 acres, and housed a food processing and storage business previously.  The lot is serviced by on-lot sewer and water, and currently has two tenants – an electrical servicing business, and a furniture consulting business.  Both the existing businesses are permitted by right, and have permits.  Mr. Leonard indicated the requirement of public sewage may be a problem.

 

Chairman Zeiters wondered if a variance could be considered for the public sewage requirement or possibly a text amendment.

 

Motion

Mr. Wingeard moved, seconded by Mr. Moyer to recommend denial of Conditional Use Request 2006-01 of Barry Pagliaro based on the requirements of the zoning ordinance.  The applicant is encouraged to explore other options.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

VIII.     OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION

          

A.    Update Township Street Inventory – Mr. Leonard asked members to review the list for discussion at the workshop meeting on March 8, 2006.

 

B.    Discussion of Sample Heliport Ordinances – Considerable discussion occurred and it was agreed there should be separate definitions for Heliport and Helipad.  Areas to consider and restrictions were discussed as follows:

·       Size of helicopter (weight under 1,600 lbs or specify engine type)

·       Setbacks from property line

·       No fueling in residential areas (helipad)

·       Hours of operation

·       Maximum number of trips per day

·       Application to be renewed when FAA or BOA renews

·       Hazardous regulations

·       Environmental regulations (Heliport)

·       Noise (minimum)

·       Conditional use in some zoning districts/permitted in others

·       Minimum lot size

·       FAA & BOA Approval

·       Heliport permitted in I & IE

·       Helipad permitted in BE

·       Helipad conditional use in FRA, C

·       Pad must be bituminous of concrete 80’ in diameter

·       Isolation distance (1,000’ or ?) from any dwelling unit

·       Fencing to be required around entire property

·       Applicant must provide documentation from federal government approving use

·       Not open to general public (Helipad)

·       Private only no commercial heliport

Mr. Leonard will provide a draft ordinance for review at the March workshop meeting.

 

C.    Discussion of Changes to Batch #2 of Zoning Amendments – Mr. Leonard reviewed the changes requested by the Board of Supervisors as follows:

·       Add definition of vernal pond

·       Change SIC to NAICS (195-9)

·       Section 195-18 size of accessory building

·       Section 195-20 change to small farm preservation

·       Each zoning district where condos are allowed insert interior yard requirements

·       EPODS – Conditional use – see new section proposed 195-182.  Draft wording provided needs further work and will be another topic of discussion at March workshop.

·       Section 195-82 Permits obtained from Army Corp & DEP shall take precedence over Township requirements (pg 10)

·       Vernal pond moved from SPOD to WPOD.

There was considerable discussion regarding agricultural land and lot size.  The next Board workshop will be March 13, 2006.

 

Ms. Buskirk announced that the rain garden workshop will be held on March 15, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.

 

IX.      ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.