WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

7171 ALLENTOWN BOULEVARD, HARRISBURG, PA  17112

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2005

WORKSHOP MEETING

 

 

MEMBERS PRESENT                                                          MEMBERS ABSENT

Jim Zeiters                                                                                Dave Wingeard

Marlin Moyer                                                                            Barb Zemlock

Carol Buskirk

Terry Bailey

Rick Bolt

 

STAFF PRESENT

Bob Leonard, Zoning Administrator

Julie Hoepfer, Administrative Assistant

 

OTHERS PRESENT

Eric & Cynthia Hollenbach – 518 Douglas Road

Mr. & Mrs. Kappen – 521 Hershey Road

Nancy Ludwig – 549 Hershey Road

Wanda & Robert Gomulka – 529 Hershey Road

 

The workshop meeting came to order at 7:05 p.m.

 

PUBLIC MEETING – COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT

 

A public meeting was advertised for the amendment to the Comprehensive Plan to reflect the changes made by the Board of Supervisors.  Chairman Zeiters reported that the Planning Commission had begun working on a Comprehensive Plan Update, with a consultant, for over a year with the plan being adopted in November of 2003.  The Zoning revisions that followed the plan update prompted revisions to the Comprehensive Plan, which is the reason for this amendment.

 

Mr. Leonard explained the concept behind the Hanoverdale Hamlet (HH) and the Village (V) zoning districts and the reasons for changing/creating the Neighborhood Commercial (NC) and Business Enterprise (BE) districts.

 

Residents from the Hanoverdale area attended the meeting and expressed their concerns with the zoning change to their properties from HH to residential.  The residents felt that opportunities were being taken away from them and their properties were being devalued.  All the residents indicated they purchased the properties with the knowledge that it was zoned for light commercial and wanted it to remain that way.  They asked that they be given the same opportunities as those across the street, which remain light commercial zoning.

 

Considerable discussion ensued with Chairman Zeiters explaining the notification process in accordance with the MPC and the reasons behind the proposed zoning of these properties to residential.

 

Mr. Leonard suggested this issue to tabled and remain on the Planning Commission agenda until after the amendment and proposed zoning changes are through.  The public hearing should be sometime in July.  After the Comprehensive Plan amendment and Zoning changes are adopted, the Commission will act on the changes requested by the residents in attendance tonight.  This was agreeable to the residents.  Mr. Leonard also acknowledged that the changes were reasonable, but it is too late in the process for it to be considered at this time.

 

Motion

Mr. Zeiters moved, seconded by Mr. Moyer, to authorize the mailing of the Comp Plan Amendment and Future Land Use map to the County and adjacent municipalities for the 45 day review period and to recommend going back to the original Comprehensive Plan Update and Future Land Use Map as prepared by the Planning Commission.  By allowing the proposed changes on Rt. 39 and Jonestown Road, traffic will nearly double.  The Rt. 39 Study suggested a reduction of commercial traffic through this strip.  By changing the zoning of the Yingst properties, development will be encouraged outside of the growth area.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

CONSERVATION ZONING DISTRICT REVIEW

 

Mr. Leonard reported that the Planning Commission was directed by the Board of Supervisors to review the Conservation Zoning District and the land use controls applied to property owners located in this District.  Mr. Leonard also noted that the Conservation District was reviewed in depth during Zoning Ordinance update #1.  Mr. Leonard presented a memo regarding this review.  By consensus the Commission agreed to forward the memo to the Board of Supervisors.

 

ZONING ORDINANCE UPDATE #3

 

Article XVIII General Regulations, Section 195-112, Temporary construction and office trailers

Amend to change:

B.         Temporary office trailers:

(2)        Shall be permitted in the V, HH NC, BE and CH Districts.

 

Article XVIII General Regulations, Section 195-114 Outdoor storage of recreation vehicles

Amend to add:

E.         Recreational vehicles must be currently registered and licensed.

 

**Mr. Leonard to provide a definition for recreational vehicle.

 

Article XVIII General Regulations, Section 195-115, Outdoor storage of tires.

Amend to change:

A.        Outdoor storage of tires or tire-derived materials shall be within a eight six foot solid screened fence with level three screening.

B.         Storage restrictions

            (1)        When waste tires or tire-derived materials are stored outdoors, each stockpile:

                        (a)        Shall have a horizontal area not greater than 25,000 10,000 square feet.

            (2)        No person shall store waste tires or tire-derived materials:

                        (d)        Within 100 300 feet of a perennial stream watercourse.

                        (e)        Within 50 feet of any property line or fence.

E.         Outdoor storage of tires or tire-derived materials shall meet all BOCA Property Maintenance Code requirements.  **STAFF TO CHECK WITH CODE ADMINISTRATOR.

 

Suggestion was made to check with DEP regarding regulations on tire storage.

 

Article XVIII General Regulations, Section 195-117 Outdoor display of merchandise

Amend to change:

The outdoor display of merchandise shall be permitted in the HH, V NC, CH, I and IE Districts only and shall be subject to the following requirements:

A.        Outdoor display of merchandise shall be permitted for retail sales only.

B.         Outdoor display of merchandise shall not be considered outdoor storage.  Merchandise shall not be displayed outdoors on a continuous basis.  Merchandise displayed for more than 12 consecutive months shall be considered outdoor storage.

C.         Merchandise shall not be displayed outdoors on a continuous basis.  Merchandise displayed for more than 12 consecutive months shall be considered outdoor storage.

 

Article XVIII General Regulations, Section 195-118 Trailers used for storage.

 

**Staff to provide definition for trailer.

 

Article XVIII General Regulations, Section 195-120 Animal kennels, veterinary services and animal services in HH and V the NC District.

Amend to change:

B.         All structures related to the use shall be located at least 100 feet from the next neighboring dwelling.

E.         Outdoor enclosures or fenced areas for animals must be screen with Level three Two screening in accordance with § 195-124. option D.

G.         The indoor area where animals are kept shall be soundproofed in a manner to prevent sound and odor from traveling outside, such as solid core doors, sound absorbent ceilings and forced air ventilation.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.