WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

7171 ALLENTOWN BOULEVARD, HARRISBURG, PA  17112

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2005

 

MEMBERS PRESENT                                                          MEMBERS ABSENT

Jim Zeiters                                                                                Carol Buskirk

David Wingeard                                                                        Terry Bailey

Marlin Moyer

Rick Bolt

Barbara Zemlock

 

STAFF PRESENT

Robert Leonard, Zoning Administrator                                        Julie Hoepfer, Administrative Assistant  

Al Brulo, Township Engineer                                                      Brian Dickson, DCPC

 

OTHERS PRESENT

Scott McMackin                                                                        Doug Gamber

Mark Magrecki                                                                         John Murphy

Tim Mellott                                                                               Patti Estheimer

Jim Cieri                                                                                   Roger Hoffman

Bill Farmer

 

I.                   CALL TO ORDER

 

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

 

II.                ROLL CALL

 

            Noted by recording secretary.

 

III.             APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Mr. Wingeard moved, seconded by Mr. Moyer to approve the February 24, 2005 regular meeting minutes.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Wingeard moved, seconded by Mr. Moyer to approve the March 9, 2005 workshop meeting minutes.  The motion passed with Chairman Zeiters abstaining.

 

IV.              PUBLIC COMMENT

 

V.         SUBDIVISION/LAND DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS

 

A.                 Sketch Plan

 

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

 

1.                   #04.020 F/LD F/LD 128 Hershey Road, Roger Hoffman – Mr. Gamber, Raudenbush Engineering, provided a brief overview of the plan, which will be a combination restaurant/office/retail development.  The site will now be connecting to public sewer, due to a failed on lot system.  The existing well on the property will be located and closed however a new well will be used.  A water feasibility study is forthcoming.

 

Mr. Brulo’s comments dated March 17, 2005 were discussed as follows:

#10C    Provide actual infiltration rates from field test.

 

Mr. Leonard’s comments dated March 11, 2005 were discussed as follows:

#2        Location of existing well to be closed.

#4        Curbs are needed at entrances and around planting islands on the south side of the parking lot.

#5        Is total drainage map supplied accurate?

Consider coordination with Capital Baptist Church regarding sidewalks/walkways.

 

Ms. Estheimer presented the following EAC Comments:

#2        Landscaping requires groundcover planting details to be shown for the areas around building and in the parking lot islands.

#4        EAC recommends use of eastern white pine instead of hemlocks

#5        Another landscape parking island may be needed in the row of parking spaces in front of the building.

 

The Park & Recreation Board recommends FILO.

 

Motion #1

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

1.                   Section 173-12 Preliminary plan requirements

2.                   Section 173-26 Curbs and gutters

3.                   Section 173-37B Parkland dedication

The motion passed with Mr. Wingeard voting nay.

 

Motion #2

Mr. Bolt moved, seconded by Ms. Zemlock, to recommend approval of final land development plan #04.020 , 128 Hershey Road of Roger Hoffman, tax parcel #68-024-066 contingent upon:

·         Approval of the E & S plan and NPDES Phase II plan by DCCD

·         Approval of the HOP permit by PENNDOT

·         Submitting a sewage planning module to DEP

·         Paying the fee in lieu of parkland dedication

·         Posting of the proper improvement guarantee and execution of a development agreement

·         Approval of waivers by the BOS

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

·         Other items determined necessary by Township Ordinances

The motion passed with Mr. Wingeard voting nay.

 

2.                   #05.001 F/LD/SB Ciocca Honda Dealership, Allentown Blvd. – Mr. McMackin and John Murphy were present to represent the plan.  Mr. McMackin reported that Mr. Murphy of Alpha Consulting Engineers is handling the HOP permit. 

Mr. Brulo’s comments dated March 17, 2005 were presented as follows:

#3        Provide the required sight distance for SR 22 & SR 39.  Mr. Murphy commented that there is adequate sight distance and a copy of the HOP permit package will be provide to the Township

#4        What type of access is provided to/from the service garage?

#9A      Provide perc test results in the forebay area to confirm infiltration and to confirm the facilities will drain without causing mosquito problems.

#9B      Provide a Snout Oil-Water-Debris separators information relative to potential mosquito breeding.

#10       Provide a vertical curve to smooth out the 12.6% difference in tangents on the south driveway profile.  Also, provide adequate radii for the entrance onto Benjamin Court.  For the north driveway, provide a profile for both legs.

#12       Provide geotechnical date confirming the stability of the 1.25:1 of the 15’ slopes on top of the retaining wall.

#13B    The photometric plan shows that the illumination exceeds the allowable 0.5 footcandles at the property line.

 

Mr. Leonard presented the following comments from his report dated March 9, 2005:

#1        Provide details of lights.  Possible glare and slipover of light.

#2        Slopes at the top of retaining wall look very steep.  Township Engineer will review design.

 

Mr. Dickson, DCPC, had no additional comments.

 

Ms. Estheimer presented the following EAC comments:

#2        Wildflower seed mix as indicated on the plan actually contains no wildflower seeds.  The EAC recommends a mix from Ernst Conservation Seeds.

 

Motion #1

Ms. Zemlock moved, seconded by Mr. Wingeard to recommend approval of the following waivers:

1.                   Section 173-11A Preliminary plan requirements

2.                   Section 173-37 Parkland dedication

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion #2

Ms. Zemlock moved, seconded by Mr. Wingeard to recommend approval of final subdivision/land development plan #05.001 of Ciocca Honda Dealership, tax parcel #68-035-021 & 030 contingent upon:

·         Approval of the sewage planning module by PA DEP

·         Approval of the E & S plan and NPDES Phase II permit by DCCD

·         Paying the fee in lieu of land dedication

·         Approval of waivers by BOS

·         Addressing comments from the EAC, Park and Recreation Board and Public Safety Advisory Board.

·         Addressing Township Staff and Township Engineering comments

·         Approval of the HOP Permit by PENNDOT

·         Other items as determined necessary by Township Ordinances.

The motion passed unanimously.

3.         #05.005 F/LD Tractor Supply Company, Jonestown Road – Mr. Magrecki was in attendance to represent the plan.

 

            Mr. Brulo’s comments dated March 17, 2005 were presented as follows:

            #3        Submit HOP to Township for review.  Consider contribution to the intersection instead of curbing.

            #7G      Provide more information for the storm sewer outfall east of the project such as the need for easements, channel to receiving existing conveyance facility, right of way, property owners, etc. when submitting the HOP.

            #8        The Jonestown Road widening detail needs to meet the requirements of the Township’s Road Cut permit criteria including sawcutting, pavement depth, striping, M & P of traffic etc.

            #13       We recommend the Township request the developer to enter into an agreement to provide a contribution towards improvements to the intersection of SR22/Jonestown Road/Blue Ridge.

 

            Mr. Leonard presented the following comments from his report dated March 9, 2005:

            #3        Map needs to show entire watershed.

            #4        Need appraisal to calculate FILO

            Zoning: #1        Dumpster requires level three screening.  Can use perimeter as part of screening.

            #2        Wall lights need cutoff to eliminate possibility of glare.

            Mr. Leonard reported that an adjacent property owner expressed concerns about an adequate visual barrier.

 

            Mr. Dickson had no additional comments.

 

            Ms. Estheimer presented the following EAC comments:

            #1        The applicant plans to restrict the use of Old Jonestown Road by delivery trucks.  Will there be signs prohibiting right turns by tractor trailers?

            #2        Regarding the valve designed to open the underdrain, who will be responsible?

 

            Motion #1

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

1.                   Section 173-11A Preliminary plan requirements.

2.                   Section 173-25E(6)(a) Clear sight triangle

3.                   Section 173-37 Parkland dedication

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion #2

Ms. Zemlock moved, seconded by Mr. Bolt to recommend approval of final land development plan #05.005, Tractor Supply Company, tax parcel #68-028-026 contingent upon:

·         Approval of the sewage planning module by DEP

·         Approval of the E & S control plan and NPDES Phase II permit by DCCD

·         Paying the fee in lieu of parkland dedication

·         Approval of waivers by BOS

·         Posting of the proper improvement guarantee and execution of a development agreement

·         Addressing comments from the EAC, Park and Recreation Board and Public Safety Advisory Board

·         Addressing outstand staff and engineering review comments

·         Approval of the HOP permit by PENNDOT

·         Other items as determined necessary by Township Ordinances

The motion passed unanimously.

 

4.         #05.006 P/SB Sagewicke Annex, Houck Properties - Tabled

 

5.         #05.007 F/SB 7725 Jonestown Road, Bill Farmer – Mr. Mellott was in attendance to represent the plan.  Mr. Mellott explained this is a 3.3 acre tract zoned R3 that is proposed to be subdivided into 3 building lots.

 

            Mr. Brulo’s comments dated March 17, 2005 were presented as follows:

            #1D      Provide the LOD (in acreage) to determine if submission to DCCD is required.  Mr. Mellott stated 1.7 acres.

            #8        Revise the wetland documentation.

 

            Mr. Leonard presented comments from his report dated March 7, 2005 as follows:

            #3        Submit an appraisal for the FILO calculation.

            Waiver for E & S – Staff feels there has to be some E & S controls shown on this plan to protect the environmental overlay district now that the trees are gone.

            Show general characterization of trees

 

            Mr. Dickson had no comments.

 

            Ms. Estheimer reviewed the following EAC comments”

            #1        Final specs require an E & S plan.

            #6        The LOD and the removal of trees on lot #1 goes beyond the 25 foot maximum allowed by this section.  LOD lines go through the western side of the WPOD.  Mr. Mellott will provide a note on the plan that this area is to be seeded with extreme caution.

 

            Mr. Bolt stated he would like to see a super silt fence and wondered if the sewer main layout was acceptable to the Authority.  Mr. Mellott indicated he had not received any comments stating otherwise.

 

            Motion #1

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

1.                   Section 173-12 Preliminary plan requirements

2.                   Section 173-11B(3)(a) E & S Control plan

3.                   Section 173-11B(3)(f) Stormwater management plan

4.                   Section 173-37 Parkland dedication

The motion passed unanimously.

 


Motion #2

Mr. Bolt moved, seconded by Ms. Zemlock to recommend approval of final subdivision plan #05.007 7725 Jonestown Road of Bill Farmer, tax parcel #68-024-066 contingent upon:

·         Approval of waivers by BOS

·         Sewage module approval by PA DEP

·         Addressing outstanding review comments from Township staff and Township Engineer

·         Addressing comments from the EAC, Park and Recreation Board and Public Safety Advisory Board.

·         Approval of the force main layout by the Water and Sewer Authority

·         Installation of a super silt fence

·         Other items determined necessary by Township Ordinances.

The motion passed unanimously.

 

6.         #05.008 F/SB Geist-Yingst Property, Sandy Hollow & Piketown Road - Mr. Cieri was in attendance to represent the plan.  Chairman Zeiters noted this is a boundary adjustment leaving the Geist tract as one lot in the Brookview development.  There are no new lots being developed.

 

            Mr. Brulo had no significant comments.

 

            Mr. Dickson had no significant comments.

 

            Mr. Leonard had no significant comments.

 

            The Park and Recreation Board recommended no parkland dedication or FILO based upon no new lots being created.

 

            Motion #1

            Mr. Moyer moved, seconded by Mr. Wingeard to recommend approval of the following waivers:

1.                   Section 173-11A Preliminary plan requirements

2.                   Section 173-37A & G Parkland dedication and fee in lieu

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion #2

Mr. Moyer moved, seconded by Mr. Wingeard to recommend approval of final subdivision plan #05.008 Geist-Yingst Property, tax parcel #68-022-101 & 095 contingent upon:

·         Approval of waivers by BOS

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

The motion passed unanimously.

           

VI.       OLD BUSINESS

 

A.        Article XXIII, Signs, Sections 195-150 & 195-147 – Chairman Zeiters noted that the Planning Commission looked at these changes several months ago.  There were no additional comments.

           

Motion

            Chairman Zeiters moved, seconded by Mr. Bolt to recommend approval of the revisions to Sections 195-150 & 195 147 as presented.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

B.         Draft Future Land Use and Zoning Map – Considerable discussion ensued regarding changes proposed by the Board of Supervisors.  Written comments from Chairman Zeiters and Ms. Buskirk were noted and attached to these minutes.  By consensus the Commission agreed the doubling of traffic on Route 39 was not acceptable as well as allowing zoning changes (Yingst properties) that would encourage development outside the growth area.

 

Chairman Zeiters noted that residents who attended the public meetings stated again and again that they wanted to maintain the rural character of the Township and specifically wanted Jonestown Road to remain residential.

 

            Motion

Chairman Zeiters moved, seconded by Ms. Zemlock to recommend going back to the original Comprehensive Plan Update and Zoning Map (except for the few small property changes) as prepared by the Planning Commission.  By allowing the proposed changes on Rt 39, traffic will nearly double and the Rt 39 Study suggested a reduction of commercial traffic on this strip.  By changing the zoning of the Yingst properties, development will be encouraged outside of the growth area.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

C.         Ordinance 2005-2, 2005-3, 2005-4 Stormwater Management & Chapter 168 – It was noted that Chapter 168 was discussed in detail at the last Planning Commission workshop meeting and Mr. Brulo has incorporated the revisions into the final draft.

 

            Motion

Chairman Zeiters moved, seconded by Mr. Moyer to recommend the adoption of Ordinances 2005-02, 2005-3 and 2005-4 as presented.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

VII.           NEW BUSINESS

 

VIII.        OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION

 

A.     Discussion – Conservation District Changes –Mr. Leonard presented a memo regarding changes to the Conservation Zoning District brought up by two Board members.  Some discussion occurred.  It was agreed this issue would be further discussed at the April 13, 2005 workshop meeting.

 

IX.              ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.