WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

7171 ALLENTOWN BOULEVARD, HARRISBURG, PA  17112

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2007

 

MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                  MEMBERS ABSENT

Jim Zeiters                                                                                         Marlin Moyer

David Wingeard

Bill Ostermayer

Carol Buskirk

Rick Bolt

Gerald Longenecker

 

STAFF PRESENT

Robert Leonard, Zoning Administrator                                           Julie Hoepfer, Administrative Assistant

Al Brulo, Township Engineer

 

OTHERS PRESENT

Chris Keller                                                                                       Bud Grove

Chris Hoover                                                                                     Angie & Nick Loxas

Jim Cieri                                                                                            Richard & Linda Dengler

Linda Turns                                                                                        April Showers

Neil Beech                                                                                         Drew Williams

Craig Bachick                                                                                    Renee Regal

Dale Hare

 

I.               CALL TO ORDER

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mr. Zeiters. 

 

II.             ROLL CALL

 

              Noted by recording secretary.

 

III.           APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Ms Buskirk, moved seconded by Mr. Ostermayer to approve the December 21, 2006 regular meeting minutes.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

IV.           PUBLIC COMMENT

 

V.             ELECTION OF OFFICERS

 

A.             Chairman - Mr. Bolt nominated Mr. Zeiters for the office of Chairman.  Mr. Ostermayer seconded the nomination.  Mr. Zeiters was unanimously elected Chairman of the Planning Commission for the 2007 calendar year.

 

B.          Vice-Chairman - Ms. Buskirk nominated Mr. Bolt for the office of Vice-Chairman.  Mr. Wingeard seconded the nomination.  Mr. Bolt was unanimously elected Vice-Chairman for the Planning Commission for the 2007 calendar year.

 

C.          Secretary - Ms. Buskirk nominated Mr. Moyer for the office of Secretary.  Mr. Ostermayer seconded the nomination.  Mr. Moyer was unanimously elected Secretary for the Planning Commission for the 2007 calendar year.

 

VI.           JMT PRESENTATION

 

April Showers reviewed the scope of work for the transportation updates to the Comprehensive Plan and the SALDO.  Ms. Showers indicated this would be a 10 to 12 month process with special meetings and workshops to be scheduled as needed.  Ms. Showers introduced Neil Beech who will also be working on the project. 

 

VII.       SUBDIVISION/LAND DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS

 

A.             Conferral/Sketch Plan

 

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

 

1.          #06.017 F/LD Summit Restaurant EAST – Mr. Hoover was in attendance to represent the plan.

 

              Mr. Brulo presented comments from his report dated January 18, 2007:

              #2  Provide the bearings and distances of the consolidated lot and ROW offer for dedication and then provide a deed of dedication with legal description and plat for the area being dedicated.

              #6  Provide a sidewalk detail and discuss sidewalk frontage considerations with the Planning Commission.  Mr. Hoover handed out a correct page 3 showing sidewalks.  There was some discussion regarding sidewalk placement, with the Commission agreeing they should be shown on the plan, unless the applicant decides to seek a variance.

              #8  Provide PENNDOT HOP plans

              #9  Provide a photometric plan.

 

              Mr. Leonard presented the following comments:

              #4  Sewer capacity letter is needed.

              #8  Provide a map of the total watershed of this project.

 

              Ms. Buskirk noted the following EAC comments:

              #4  How will the accumulation of silt in the underground infiltration bed be monitored?  Mr. Hoover stated that due to the design with grass and stone buffers, there should not be a build up of silt.

 

              Mr. Longenecker expressed his concern with the stormwater issues on this tract and emphasized that all stormwater comments need to be addressed so there are no downstream impacts.  Mr. Brulo explained his outstanding issues with the stormwater plan and asked for calculations and documented flows.  Mr. Ostermayer commented that he personally visited all downstream landowners regarding this project and they seemed unconcerned.

 

              Motion

              Mr. Bolt moved, seconded by Mr. Wingeard, to table plan #06.017 Summit Restaurant EAST due to outstanding staff and engineering comments.  The motion passed unanimously.  The applicant agreed to submit an additional time extension.

 

2.          #07.001 F/SB Richard & Linda Dengler – Mr. Cieri, Act One Consultants, stated this plan proposes a 4 lot subdivision on Moyer Road.  2 lots have existing dwellings on them and two new building lots are being created.  Mr. Cieri acknowledged that there were many comments generated on this plan and most have already been addressed.  Mr. Cieri asked that the Planning Commission to consider granting approval based on this update.

 

              Mr. Brulo presented the following comments and reminded the Commission that he has reviewed only the plan before the members tonight:

              2E.  Proposed driveways cannot interfere with the existing drainage along Moyer Road or direct site runoff onto the public right of way.

              #3  Provide metes and bounds description of the ROW offered for dedication and also provide deed of dedication.

              #9  Provide a wetlands study.

              #17  The plans show that the existing garage on Existing lot #2 will be included in the proposed lot #2 as an accessory building to a different house.  Mr. Cieri will clarify.

              #18A  Show disturbance will be less than 20,000 square feet.

 

              Mr. Leonard presented the following comments:

              #1  Further characterize the wooded areas in the rear of the property.  The buffer around the wetlands should be 50’ not 25’.

              #2  Driveway sight distances and sight triangles appear to be missing.

              Zoning #2  Provide ownership and maintenance agreements for the open space.

 

Ms. Buskirk asked if Mr. Brulo or someone from his office goes out to verify wetlands.  Mr. Brulo stated he does not.  Ms. Buskirk asked Mr. Leonard if he does a site visit.  Mr. Leonard stated he does on occasion if something seems out of place or needs to be verified.

 

Motion

Mr. Wingeard moved, seconded by Mr. Ostermayer to table plan #07.001 F/SB of Richard and Linda Dengler due to outstanding staff and engineering review comments.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

3.          #07.002 P/SB/LD Evergreen Ridge – Mr. Grove and Mr. Keller were in attendance from Grove Associates to represent the plan.  Mr. Grove stated this development proposes 60 townhouse units on 8.82 acres and creates a 2.98 commercial tract.

 

Chairman Zeiters noted that when Capital Baptist Church brought their land development plan in they told the abutting property owners that this area would remain open for things like ball fields.

 

Mr. Brulo reviewed the following comments:

#7  Provide an autoturn analysis showing adequate access for Township emergency services vehicles.

#11  Provide street lighting facilities and footcandle information.

#13  Provide a traffic impact study

#18  Submit an easement agreement for the shared driveway

#19  Provide a maintenance agreement for the driveway

#20  Clearly label and dimension the cartway, right of way and land widths for the proposed public road.

#22  Discuss the need for the boulevard entrance with emergency services considering the connection to the emergency access drive.

#24L  Provide adequate grading/swales/spot elevations/etc. in the yard areas to safely direct runoff around units.

#26  Provide a note on the plan stating that access to lot 3 will be provided via the private access drive, not Rt 39.

#31A  The wetlands report  needs to be updated since it is over 5 years old.

#33  Identify whether there will be any phasing on the plan.

#34  The private streets must conform to standards and specifications.

#35  Meet with the Township to develop a plan to insure compliance with construction specifications such as corings, bituminous delivery slips etc. for Capital Drive.

#37  The Township should consider requesting the applicant to provide a contribution to the future improvements associated with the SR39 widening project near exit 77 of I-81 and/or SR39/SR22.

 

Mr. Leonard reviewed the PSAB comments as follows:

#1  Street names pending approval by County.

#3  Water shut off for the church needs to be located at the end of the cul-de-sac on Capital Drive

#4  Move boulevard island back an additional 20’.

 

Mr. Leonard reviewed his zoning comments as follows:

#4  School district to be notified

#5  Need HOP revision onto Rt. 39

#11  Show the protective covenant of note #1 on the drawing.

#12  Construction and permanent easement agreements for stormwater pond on lot 3

Zoning #1  Shop open space on sheet 3

#2  Show buffers between development and houses on Slepian, and between the development and the church.

#4  Level III screening around detention pond #1 ends of detention pond 2 and completely around detention pond 4 required.

#7  Access to lot 3?  Will show sketch of how this will fit.

 

Ms. Buskirk reviewed the EAC report as follows:

#3  Explanation of the infiltration bed details is needed; sheet 13 shows measurement discrepancy between drawings; in bed details notes #1 explain “The area of the beds is equal to the 33% the area of the proposed roof section draining to it.”  What type of water quality vegetation will be planted in the infiltration beds?  How will compaction in infiltration beds be minimized during construction?  There was discussion regarding the construction modification to the emergency access drive, which will be gated.


Motion

Mr. Bolt moved, seconded by Mr. Wingeard to table plan #07.002 P/SB/LD of Evergreen Ridge due to outstanding staff and engineering comments.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

VIII.       NEW BUSINESS

 

A.    Text Amendment – Kairos Design/Williams Holding Group – Mr. Bachick presented the concept and explained the amendments being sought to the NC zoning district.  Mr. Bachik noted the development would be named Olde Towne Hanover due to it being in both East & West Hanover Townships.  This will be a mixed residential/commercial development.

 

Mr. Leonard noted the following points from his review:

·       The applicant is asking to reduce the minimum lot size for townhouses and multifamily dwelling units from 3,000 square feet to 2,000 square feet.  For a 20’ wide townhouse this would create a 100’ deep lot instead of a 150’ deep lot.  Staff does not object to this request.

·       The applicant has requested the creation of a new parcel ‘category’ of from 3 acres to 15 acres.  Within this category, the applicant is requesting a minimum of 25% residential development.  Similarly, the parcel category of greater than 15 acres would have a minimum of 20% non-residential, and providing for 30% of the residential to be at a 10 unit per acre density.  Staff believes we should add language which would ensure a mixture of use by adding to 195-49.C(1)(b)[1] “Minimum 25% of lot area nonresidential, up to a maximum of 75%”.  Staff does not support increasing densities to 10 units per acre.  The NC District is the only district that allows density up to 8 units per acre currently.  A sliding scale of style of development by parcel size is not manageable from a Township perspective.  Again, the concept of Neighborhood Commercial is smaller scale in a mixed use.

·       A proposed rewording of 195-49.C(2) Nonresidential density requirements, also creates a new parcel “category” of 5 acres to 15 acres.  Below 5 acres, the maximum building coverage remains the same (5000 sq ft, max 3 floors).  However, between 5 and 15 acres, the applicant is proposing a maximum building coverage of 10,000 sq ft, with a maximum gross floor area of 24,000 sq ft.  Above 15 acres, a proposed 15,000 sq ft maximum building coverage, with a maximum gross floor area of 45,000 sq ft.  In addition, a request for 20,000 sq ft maximum building coverage and 60,000 sq ft maximum gross floor area if the structures are for residential apartments or hotel use.  Staff is puzzled by a different size parcel (5 acre versus 3 acre) than what was proposed just previously for residential development.  In addition, if a building has 10,000 sq ft footprint, will it be only 2.4 stories high, or does the applicant mean the max gross floor area be 30,000 sq ft?  Staff does not have a problem increasing the current limit of 5000 sq ft footprint to possibly 8000 sq ft (KoKoMo size) or possibly 10,000 sq ft (Mike Geppert shopping area size).  But a 20,000 sq ft building is the size of Tractor Supply.  Would there be any guarantee that one tenant would not occupy the entire building?  Staff feels anything larger than 8000 – 10,000 sq ft belongs in the Commercial Highway District.  Staff also does not see any reason to make exceptions for apartment buildings or hotels when they are adequately allowed for in other zoning districts.

 

There was considerable discussion regarding the requested changes.  Members agreed to have a workshop on February 14th to discuss the issue further.

 

IX.           OLD BUSINESS

 

A.    Zoning Ordinance – Accessory Apartments in the R2 Zoning District  - Mr. Leonard reviewed the changes from the last meeting.  Minor changes were proposed with some members wondering why this ordinance was even needed.

 

Motion – Mr. Wingeard moved, seconded by Mr. Longenecker to forward the amendment with the proposed changes onto the Board of Supervisors for review.  The motion passed with three members voting yes and three members abstaining.

 
X.             OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION

 

XI.           ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:35 p.m.