WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

7171 ALLENTOWN BOULEVARD, HARRISBURG, PA  17112

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2006

 

MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                  MEMBERS ABSENT

Terry Bailey                                                                                       Jim Zeiters

David Wingeard

Marlin Moyer

Carol Buskirk

Rick Bolt

Gerald Longenecker

 

STAFF PRESENT

Robert Leonard, Zoning Administrator                                           Julie Hoepfer, Administrative Assistant

Al Brulo, Township Engineer

 

OTHERS PRESENT

Linda Turns                                                                                        Jeff Wendle, CET Engineering

 

I.               CALL TO ORDER

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Vice-chairman Bolt. 

 

II.             ROLL CALL

 

              Noted by recording secretary.

 

III.           APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Mr. Wingeard moved, seconded by Mr. Bolt to approve the December 15, 2005 regular meeting minutes.  The motion passed.

 

IV.           PUBLIC COMMENT

 

V.             ELECTION OF OFFICERS

 

A.             Chairman - Mr. Wingeard nominated Mr. Zeiters for the office of Chairman.  Mr. Bailey seconded the nomination.  Mr. Zeiters was unanimously elected Chairman of the Planning Commission for the 2006 calendar year.

 

B.          Vice-Chairman - Mr. Wingeard nominated Mr. Bolt for the office of Vice-Chairman.  Ms. Buskirk seconded the nomination.  Mr. Bolt was unanimously elected Vice-Chairman for the Planning Commission for the 2006 calendar year.

 

C.          Secretary - Mr. Wingeard nominated Mr. Moyer for the office of Secretary.  Mr. Bailey seconded the nomination.  Mr. Moyer was unanimously elected Secretary for the Planning Commission for the 2006 calendar year.


 

VI.        SUBDIVISION/LAND DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS

 

A.             Sketch Plan

 

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

 

1.          #05.021 F/SB Millstone Phase III, S & A Homes Inc., Manor Drive – Tabled.  

 

VII.       OLD BUSINESS

 

VIII.       NEW BUSINESS

 

A.    Beaver Creek Wet Weather Treatment Plant – Lower Paxton Authority – Mr. Wendle, CET Engineering, was in attendance to explain the request and answer questions.  Mr. Wendle reported they are making application to PENNVEST for a grant for the conveyance system improvements and wet weather treatment plant.  Any township affected needs to indicate they acknowledge and support the project.  Specially that it meets ordinance requirements and does not violate the townships land use or comprehensive plans.

 

Westford Crossing and Country Manor located in West Hanover Township are both served by the Lower Paxton Sewer System and some sections of the line to be replaced are located in West Hanover Township.  The Township is only required to comment on the conveyance system improvements, not the wet weather treatment plant.  There was considerable discussion regarding the project and how it relates to West Hanover.  Mr. Wendle indicated he needs a letter by February 1, 2006.  Mr. Leonard stated this issue has to pass before the Board of Supervisors and through the township Solicitor.  The Planning Commission indicated its discomfort with acting on the request without Board and Solicitor input.

 

Motion

Ms. Buskirk moved, seconded by Mr. Moyer, that the Commission agreed in principal to necessity of the line replacement/upgrade and conditioned approval of construction upon meeting all ordinance requirements and obtaining all necessary permits.  The Zoning Administrator is to determine the project meets ordinance requirements and does not violate the Township’s land use or Comprehensive Plan.  Approval is also contingent upon satisfactory review by the Board of Supervisors and Township Solicitor.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

IX.           OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION

 

A.          Discuss Scheduling workshop to update Traffic portion of the Comprehensive Plan and update of Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance – Workshops have been scheduled for the second Wednesday of each month beginning at 7:00 p.m.  The first workshop meeting will be held on February 8th and will begin with the review of the traffic portion of the Comprehensive Plan which will hopefully result in a traffic impact ordinance.  The Commission will also begin to look at ordinances relating to heliports and the updating of the SALDO.


Motion

              Mr. Wingeard moved, seconded by Mr. Bailey to hold workshop meetings the second Wednesday of each month beginning February 8, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

B.    Status of Zoning Ordinance Amendments #2 – Mr. Leonard indicated he wanted to send this batch of changes to the BOS for final review since there are two new members.  The amendment must then go back to the County before a public hearing can be scheduled.  Mr. Leonard reviewed the following changes/corrections:

 

Section 195-49C(1)(b)[2] Minimum Maximum residential density per acre shall be eight dwelling units per acre.

 

Section 195-49E(5) Non residential side yard depth: 10 feet

 

Section 195-59D(2) One side yard may be zero feet.  The total width of the two required side yards shall be not less than 20 feet.  Side yard depth: 10 foot minimum on each side.  On a corner lot, the side yard abutting the street shall be considered a front yard.  The side yard on a corner lot shall be not less than 25 feet.  (Changed to address concerns from PSAB)

 

Ms. Buskirk suggested adding coverage regulations to the BE District.  The Commission agreed and the change was added as follows:

Section 195-54 Development Requirements

ADD:          K. Coverage regulations:  The building(s), structure(s), and impervious coverage shall not be more than 60%.

 

There was considerable discussion regarding the open space requirements for the FRA District.  The Planning Commission originally presented a change to 80% open space with a 10 acre lot area.  Mr. Yost, Township Solicitor, indicated he did not feel comfortable trying to defend that change and recommend 60% open space with a 2 acre lot area.  Staff is to research court cases relating to this issue.

 

Motion

Mr. Wingeard moved to go with a 6 acre lot area.  The motion failed for a lack of a second.  Mr. Wingeard moved, seconded by Mr. Bailey to require 60% open space with a 10 acre lot area in the FRA zoning district.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Ms. Buskirk announced that the EAC is designing a rain garden to be constructed in Fairville Park.  This is a community project and the design workshop will take place at the March 15th Park and Recreation Board meeting.  Construction of the rain garden will be April 29, 2006.  Everyone is invited to attend.

 

New member Gerald (Gerry) Longenecker was welcomed by the Commission.  Mr. Longenecker stated he is an Environmental Engineer with a local firm and looks forward to serving on the Commission.

 

X.             ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.