WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

7171 ALLENTOWN BOULEVARD, HARRISBURG, PA  17112

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2007

 

MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                  MEMBERS ABSENT

Jim Zeiters                                                                                         David Wingeard

Carol Buskirk  

Bill Ostermayer

Rick Bolt

Marlin Moyer

Gerald Longenecker

 

STAFF PRESENT

Robert Leonard, Zoning Administrator

Al Brulo, Township Engineer                                                           Brian Dickson, DCPC

 

I.           CALL TO ORDER:  Chairman

 

II.              ROLL CALL:  Noted by Secretary

 

III.            APPROVAL OF MINUTES:      Mr. Ostermayer moved, seconded by Mr. Longenecker to approve the July 26, 2007 with a correction under the IFR Building addition that Mr. Navarro did not present the plan.  Motion passed with Ms. Buskirk abstaining.

 

IV.            PUBLIC COMMENT

 

V.          SUBDIVISION/LAND DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS

 

A.             Conferral/Sketch Plans

 

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

 

1.     #06.008 F/LD Townes at Briar Creek – tabled (12/18/07)

2.     #07.002 P/SB/LD Evergreen Ridge, Classic Communities – tabled (12/8/07)

3.     #07.005 P/SB/LD Oak Grove Manor, Diocese of Harrisburg (10/5/07)

 

 

4.     #07.006 F/SB Roger & Alice Cackovic (Action by10/3/07) – Mr. Wakefield of Act One Consultants presented the plan.  Mr. Cackovic commented on the history of the parcel.  A 50’ strip out to Fishing Creek Valley Road was obtained as access in 1982.

 

Mr. Brulo presented his comments dated August 16, 2007:

#1D      Parkland, Recreation & Open Space – request an exemption from the requirement to dedicate public land – agree to pay FILO.

#3A Township will not accept dedication of a ROW until the road has been constructed to current standards.  Provide a cul-de-sac design, meeting the Township standards with appropriate profiles, details etc.

#3B According to the Ground Lease Agreement access to the area proposed as Lot #3 is granted to the Cackovic residents and guests over the area proposed to be Lot #4 from Appleby Road.  Approval of the current subdivision would crate a lot without access – discussion.

#5 Dedicated ROW plat and legal description – land owners name should be spelled the same on all documents.  Plan cannot be recorde3d without complete easement agreements and any plan approval should be conditioned upon obtaining the easement.

#10 Provide a corrected left roadway grade for Fishing Creek Valley Road and the corresponding required and actual sight distance for the cul-de-sac.

#12 Subdivision plan that created lot #1 showed a 50’ buffer with level one screening at the located where the proposed cul-de-sac intersects SR 443.  This change in access and buffer location should be discussed with the Planning Commission.

#15 Private driveways shall be provided for all residences and shall provide safe access to Township or state roads.  Without the construction of the cul-de-sac as public road access to a residence on lot 3 cannot be obtained.

 

Mr. Leonard presented comments dated August 16, 2007:

#9 Is land being obtained from the Hawthorne’s and the Beavers for the radius at Fishing Creek Valley Road, or is the shaded area a construction easement?  If so, provide easement agreements.

#13 Characterize existing trees on lot 3.

 

There was considerable discussion on the concept of not building a road needed for road frontage.

 

Motion

Mr. Moyer moved, seconded by Mr. Ostermayer to table plan #07,006 of Roger and Alice Cackovic pending an opinion from the Solicitor on the road frontage and improvement guarantee.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

5.     #07.008 P/LD Olde Towne Hanover – Steve Kretzing and Craig Bachick were present to represent the plan.

 

Mr. Brulo presented comments dated August 16, 2007:

#1D Applicant requests temporary relief from the constructing sidewalk along N Hershey Road. The location of the sidewalk is shown on the plan.

#1E Minimum Distance between Intersections – applicant requests relief from the 125’ minimum requirement between intersections to provide an intimate scale in the proposed development.

#G Infiltration Beds under Roadways – applicant requests waiver to allow stormwater infiltration beds under private roadways

#1H Street Wearing Surface – applicant request wavier from the requirement to conform to the Ordinance requirements of bituminous pavement portions of the plan where brick pavers and porous pavement are proposed.

#4 Revised TIS study was submitted – comments have not changed from June 21 comment letter.

#9 The surface of the nature path must be a solid, paved surface and/or drainage and maintenance documents must be provided.

#15 We recommend the Township consider requesting the developer to enter into an agreement to provide a contribution towards the proposed improvements at Exit 77 and at SR 22/SR 39.

 

Mr. Leonard presented his comments dated August 14, 2007 as follows:

#2 Discuss options for correcting official floodplain map.

Zoning #1 Parking table on cover sheet does not match Ordinance parking requirements for the civic building (assembly vs. office space).

#7 Infiltration beds under the roadways.  A major modification to the cross section of the roadway base and surface will be required.  Staff supports this request as long as the design is approved by the Township Engineer and a maintenance program is established to ensure both infiltration and roadway integrity are maintained.

The wetlands report show watercourse between wetlands.  Need to be shown as a SPOD.

 

Ms. Buskirk presented the following EAC comments:

#2 The EAC is concerned about the E & S Control.  Prior to any site clearing, the LOD along eh EPOD on the northern side of the northern grading area must be marked with orange construction fencing, or another method.  Add to plan and to construction sequence.

 

Ms. Buskirk stated the applicant had received DCCD E & S Plan approval and township permission to start earth moving since the July PC meeting.  Ms. Buskirk was very concerned that compliance with the EPOD requirements was not verified by a site visit prior to this approval and questioned whether out ordinances were applied correctly.  Ms. Buskirk added that some large trees outside of the LOD have been cut, and feels they went too far towards the steep slope. 

 

Mr. Moyer indicated that the watercourse is an issue.

 

Mr. Ostermayer stated he doesn’t mind the trees regenerating themselves.  Raised questions regarding compaction.

 

East Hanover Township has been non-responsive.  There was discussion regarding the wall and how infiltration will be accomplished around the pond.

 

The applicant indicated he was willing to grant a time extension.

 

Motion

Ms. Buskirk moved, seconded by Mr. Moyer to table plan #07.008 P/LD Olde Towne Hanover pending outstanding staff and engineering comments.  The motion passed with Mr. Bolt and Mr. Longenecker abstaining.

 

6.     #07.011 F/SD Jason Weiser (Action by 11/21/07) – Rob Shaffer, Act One Consultants, represented the plan.  This plan subdivides one lot in to three along Blue Ridge Avenue in the R-2 Zoning District.

 

Mr. Brulo presented the following comments dated August 16, 2007:

#1B Public water supply waiver.  To be discussed with PC. 

#5 Discussion of drainage and stormwater comments

#19 Blue Ridge Avenue is classified as an arterial roadway and consequently, roadway widening, curbs, drainage facilities and sidewalks are required.  However, the Planning Commission should consider requesting the applicant to provide a contribution to the Township in-lieu-of constructing these facilities for the design and construction of the Blue Ridge/Jonestown Road improvements which are currently under design.

 

Mr. Leonard presented his comments as follows:

#6 Provide approval letter of sewer connection from Water & Sewer Authority

Zoning #2 Provide a sanitary sewer easement agreement with adjacent property owner’s signatures.

Waiver #2 Connection to public water system.  Due to the uncertainty of Blue Ridge Avenue realignment, the applicant asks for relief from the 500’ tire in requirement.  Staff does not support this request.

Mr. Leonard added that the PSAB requests the applicant to verify the distance from the water supply to the property.

 

Mr. Dickson, DCPC asked that the width at front building setback line: minimum of 100’ be clarified. 

 

Ms. Buskirk presented the following EAC comments:

#1 (Chapter 168) Show location of infiltration test for rain garden/bioretention areas on building lots.  This is essential so the areas can be protected during construction activities.  Show how the driveway will be graded and roof leaders will be directed.  Provide planting and maintenance plans.

Zoning – street trees.  Show shade trees on the plan.

Is the site distance for the driveways adequate and is there 100’ of road frontage for each lot?

 

Mr. Brulo added that since Blue Ridge Avenue is an arterial roadway there will be a 50’ buffer required with level 1 screening needed.

 

Mr. Weiser stated public water is too expensive and all the neighbors are on a well except the Jenkins residence.  There was considerable discussion on sewage direction.

 

Motion #1

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

1.          Section 173-11A Preliminary plan requirements

2.          Section 173-32E(1) Connection to public water system

3.          Section 173-37B(2) Parkland dedication

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion #2

Mr. Bolt moved, seconded by Mr. Ostermayer to recommend approval of plan #07.011 of Jason Weiser contingent upon:

·       Approval of waivers by the BOS

·       Obtaining approval of the E & S Control plan from DCCD

·       Paying the fee in lieu of land dedication

·       Addressing Township engineer and staff comments

·       Other items as determined by township ordinances.

The motion passed unanimously.

 

7.     #07.012 P/LD Harper Drive Sleep Inn (11/21/07) – Ms. Cassel, Dawood Engineer presented the plan.  The applicant is proposing a 48 room, 33,000 sq. ft hotel on a 2.31 acre parcel along the east side of Harper Drive.  The parcel is zoned Commercial Highway.

 

Mr. Brulo presented his comments dated August 16, 2007:

#13Traffic flow through the site is not clear.

#14 The two way traffic isles along 60 degree parking spaces are required to be 20’ wide.

#18 Parking areas shall be designed so that each motor vehicle may proceed to and from the parking space provided for it without requiring the moving of any other motor vehicle.

#21 The wetland letter does not appear to include the area of disturbance caused by the proposed off site storm sewer system.

#28 Mr. Brulo reviewed the stormwater and drainage issues per report.

#29 Lighting issues were discussed per report

#30 Traffic evaluation issues were discussed per report.

 

Mr. Leonard presented the following comments:

#2 E & S Control Plan appears short of controls

#3 Parking lot lights don’t met standards even for street lights

#4 Increase the curb radius by the parking lot entrance and exit for emergency vehicles.  Provide autoturn analysis.

#7 Rear emergency stabilized access road must be 20’ wide.

Zoning #2 Landscaping plan should indicate trimming of Pin Oaks in from and Red Maples in rear to allow trucks to pass underneath.

#4 Soil balance for property?

 

Mr. Dickson stated that the County recommends sidewalks be installed along both sides of Harper Drive and that the Township should encourage the other property owners along Jonestown Road and Rt. 39 to install sidewalks if they have not already done so.

 

Ms. Buskirk presented EAC Comments:

#1 Two infiltration areas are identified on the plan (but not mentioned in the stormwater report).  Clarify the locations, show BMP details and method of protection for the areas during construction.  Suggest use of water quality planting in the swales.

 

Chairman Zeiters opened the floor for public comment:

 

James Delisio – presented pictures of other local hotels front and rear.

 

Mr. Scott – Stated that since the trees are gone there is more water.  Presented powerpoint pictures of the runoff.

 

Rebecca Delisio – Expressed her concern over the safety of kids and lighting issues.

 

Deb & Paul Devivo – (245 Berkstone Drive) lived thru the Lower Paxton Township Target building, blasting.  Property values affected.

 

Mr. Scott – questioned where the water runoff will go.

 

Dale Travis- - questions about detention ponds.  None required here per Al Brulo.

 

Mr. Scott – Traffic in this area will be unbelievable.

 

Mrs. Thomas – Doesn’t understand Hrivnak lack of concern.

 

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Piergallini – can waivers be used for other leverage?

 

Mary Angele – 3rd family to move in.  This change too big, trucks using turnarounds in development.

 

Tom Hrivnak – Thanked neighbors for their support.  Agreed lot too small, too many trucks and traffic concerns.

 

Merilee Hrivnak – Cannot understand that the PC has no jurisdiction.

 

Don Kerstetter – Concerns over stormwater runoff.

Motion

Mr. Ostermayer moved, seconded by Mr. Bolt to table plan #07.012 P/LD Harper Drive Sleep Inn due to outstanding staff and engineering comments.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

VI.            OLD BUSINESS

 

A.             SALDO Updates – tabled

B.             Zoning Ordinance – Review of farm animals – tabled

 

VII.       NEW BUSINESS

 

A.    Ordinance 2007-10 – Williams NC changes remand by BOS – Mr. Leonard explained that at the BOS meeting the supervisors listened to comments about the proposed amendment changes to NC.  During the comment period another amendment to the language of the NC district was proposed.  Instead of the BOS separating the two issues and instead of making a decision on the original application, they remanded the whole thing back to the Planning Commission.  Mr. Leonard believes that was done incorrectly.  Mr. Leonard asked the PC to confirm their recommendation of the Williams amendment request as made for one motion and asked for a separate motion asking that the Smith amendment be submitted through the proper administrative channels and addressed as a separate application.

 

Motion #1

Ms. Buskirk moved, seconded by Mr. Ostermayer to recommend approval of the Williams amendment as previously proposed.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion #2

Ms. Buskirk moved, seconded by Mr. Longenecker to recommend the Smith amendment go through the proper application process for consideration.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

VIII.        ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION

 

A.             September workshop – Wed 9/12/07 7:00 PM – Transportation Plan update

 

Brian Dickson announced that he is taking a job for the City of DeKalb, Illinois as a lead transportation planner.

 

IX.       ADJOURNMENT

 

              The meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m.