WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

7171 ALLENTOWN BOULEVARD, HARRISBURG, PA  17112

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25 2007

 

MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                  MEMBERS ABSENT

Jim Zeiters                                                                                         Marlin Moyer

Carol Buskirk                                                                                    David Wingeard

Bill Ostermayer

Rick Bolt

Gerald Longenecker

 

STAFF PRESENT

Robert Leonard, Zoning Administrator

Al Brulo, Township Engineer                                                           Jason Finnerty, DCPC

 

OTHERS PRESENT

Bill McCahan                                                                                     Tom Wilson

Bud Grove                                                                                          Ron Lucas

Justin Kuhn                                                                                        Jeff Ernico

Terry Grove                                                                                       Paul Dugan

Randy Holms                                                                                      Chris Scott

 

 

I.           CALL TO ORDER:  Chairman

 

II.              ROLL CALL:  Noted by Secretary

 

III.            APPROVAL OF MINUTES:      Ms. Buskirk moved, seconded by Mr. Ostermayer to approve the September 27, 2007.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Chairman Zeiters announced that the Harper Drive Sleep Inn plan has been tabled for tonight as requested by the applicant.

 

IV.            PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Bill McCahan, Chairman PSAB  - Mr. McCahan reported that residents of the Brynfield development have approached the Township asking for no parking signs along some of the streets in their neighborhood for safety reasons.  Mr. McCahan stated he and Mr. Hetrick investigated other developments in the township and found similar parking problems, which would limit the ability of emergency vehicles to navigate through these areas.  The PSAB will meet next week and come up with some parking recommendations.  Mr. McCahan asked the Planning Commission for their support on implementing stricter parking regulations in the township.  By consensus the Commission agreed to support the PSAB.

 

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 Creektabled (12/18/07)

 

2.     #07.002 P/SB/LD Evergreen Ridge, Classic Communities – Mr. Grove was in attendance and gave a brief history and update of the project.  Mr. Grove noted that the number of units has been reduced from 60 to 54 units and Capital Drive will become a public street constructed to township standards.  Mr. Grove also noted that he has a meeting with Mr. Brulo to resolve the remaining stormwater issues.

 

Terry Grove addressed the traffic issues and suggested that the Township consider asking the Developer to enter in to an agreement with the Township that traffic will be monitored, perhaps by the Township Engineer, and the signal will be installed when traffic actually meets warrants.  Chairman Zeiters suggested a meeting with the developers of Olde Towne Hanover and PENNDOT to coordinate signals.

 

Mr. Brulo reviewed comments dated 10/18/07 as follows:

#9A  Provide documentation from PENNDOT stating there is no need to upgrade the Permit for the change in use.

#9G  Since Capital Drive was originally built as a private driveway, the applicant indicates on the street cross section detail that the existing roadway shall be removed and the sub base tested for adequacy to meet the Township requirements.  The applicant also indicates that a note regarding the construction of the road to Township standards is on Sheet 4, but the note could not be found.  Mr. Grove will correct the note and further suggested that the road upgrade be treated as a public improvement and bonded and will be built to township standards.

 

Mr. Leonard, Zoning Administrator had no additional comments.

 

Mr. Finnerty, DCPC, had no additional comments.

 

Ms. Buskirk noted that most of the EAC comments had been addressed.

 

Motion #1

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

1.              Section 173-25F(10)(a) Roll curbs in place of vertical curbs.

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion #2

Mr. Bolt moved, seconded by Mr. Longenecker to recommend approval of preliminary subdivision/land development plan #07.002, Evergreen Ridge, Classic Communities Inc, Equitable owner/applicant; Capital Baptist Church, owner, tax parcel #68-024-170 contingent upon:

·       Discussing traffic intersection improvements with the Board of Supervisors due to increased traffic establishing bonds as required by those improvements.

·       Addressing outstanding review comments from the Township staff, Township Engineer, and other reviewing agencies, boards and commissions.

·       Other items as determined necessary by Township Ordinances.

The motion passed unanimously.

 

 

3.     #07.005 P/SB/LD Oak Grove Manor, Diocese of Harrisburg (12/4/07) – Tom Wilson and Justin Kuhn were in attendance to represent the plan.

 

Mr. Brulo reviewed comments from his report dated 10/18/07:

#4  The Township should consider requesting the applicant to enter into an agreement for improvements to Sterling Road, Oak Grove Road, the Sterling Road West culvert near Sarhelm Road, Oak Grove Road curve at Sterling Road and the Oak Grove/SR22 intersection.

 

Mr. Brulo added the plan is in pretty good shape.

 

Mr. Leonard noted that staff is ok with a ROW of 33’ for Sterling Road as shown on the plan.

 

Mr. Finnerty had no additional comments.

 

Ms. Buskirk stated most EAC comments have been address but noted the following:

#4 Retaining trees on the lots will not only aid in stormwater management but will add to the marketability of the proposed development.

#5 All EPOD boundaries and LODs should be marked and maintained throughout construction activities.  LOD Lines are shown on the E & S Plan, but not on the grading plan.

 

There was some discussion about how water and sewer was getting to lots 60 – 73.  It was agreed that laterals would be shown on the plan.

 

MOTION

Mr. Ostermayer moved, seconded by Mr. Bolt to recommend approval of preliminary subdivision/land development plan #07.005 Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg; applicant/owner, tax parcel #68-028-046, 056,052, 051 contingent upon:

·       Proof of all grave relocations necessary to within new cemetery boundaries

·       Review of state HOP application by Township Engineer, with comment

·       Submission of all sanitary and stormwater easements by metes and bounds

·       Entering into discussions with the BOS on Sterling Road improvements

·       Entering into discussions with the BOS on parkland versus FILO

·       Addressing outstanding review comments from the Township Staff, Township Engineer, and other reviewing agencies, boards and committees.

·       Other items as determined necessary by Township ordinances

The motion passed unanimously.

 

4.     #07.006 F/SB Roger & Alice Cackovic (Action by 2/5/08) – Tabled.

 

5.     #07.012 P/LD Harper Drive Sleep Inn (Action by 11/21/07) – Tabled per applicants request.

 

6.     #07.014 P/SB Bella Vista Business Park(Action by 12/26/07) Tabled.

 

VI.            OLD BUSINESS

 

A.             SALDO Updates – tabled

B.             Zoning Ordinance – Review of farm animals – tabled

C.             Text Amendment #2007.03 – JBB Enterprises NC Changes - Withdrawn

 

VII.       NEW BUSINESS

 

A.   Conditional Use Request #2007.02 – Cellco Partnership – Mr. Ernico of Mette, Evans and Woodside presented the conditional use, which proposes the installation of a cellular tower on a site located off Fishing Creek Valley Road in the Conservation zoning district.  Mr. Ernico had several engineers give brief reports on frequency, structural specs etc.  It is doubtful the tower will even be visible from Fishing Creek Valley Road. 

      

       Chairman Zeiters expressed some concern that the tower may be in the flight path of some air traffic from Indiantown Gap.  Mr. Randy Holmes stated the FAA controls where planes fly even on training missions and many times the aircraft use the towers as markers.  The Gap will be aware of the tower location, nothing is being proposed that will be a hazard.

 

       Paul Dugan explained the frequency aspects of the towers and the need for an additional coverage area.

      

       There was some discussion regarding screening with Mr. Ernico stating it is a highly dense vegetated area, but if the Township requires some screening they will comply.

 

       Ms. Buskirk asked if there would be any impacts to steel slopes.  No disturbances to steep slopes.

 

       The next step will be a hearing before the Board of Supervisors.

 

MOTION: Mr. Ostermayer moved, seconded by Ms. Buskirk to recommend approval of conditional use request #2007.02, Cellco Partnership.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

B.   Text Amendment - Posting – Mr. Leonard presented the amendment which provides regulations for posting and notification.  Chairman Zeiters recommended leaving the ordinance as it is since it complies with state law.  After some discussion it was agreed that the language would be revised and reviewed again at the November meeting.

 

X.             ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION

 

A.             Chairman Zeiters noted the letter received from Dr. Klein and instructed staff to respond.

 

B.             Ms. Buskirk reported on the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Form she attended.

 

XI.       ADJOURNMENT

 

              The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.