WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
7171 ALLENTOWN
BOULEVARD, HARRISBURG, PA 17112
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21,
2002
CALL TO ORDER – 7:00 p.m.
Chairman Jones called the October 21, 2002, regular meeting of the West Hanover Township Board of Supervisors to order at 7:00 PM. Mrs. Zimmerman delivered an invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
PUBLIC COMMENT – (Agenda Items Only)
Brian McFeaters, Matt Willard, Light-Heigel &
Associates. Mr. McFeaters, Sewage Enforcement Officer for the Township,
presented a new fee schedule from Light-Heigel & Associates. This new schedule represents a 5% increase
overall, the first increase in 5 years.
The Township administration fee is increasing from $25 to $30, the first
increase since 1990. The SEO is also an
agent of the DEP and some expenses are reimbursed 50% by the state as part of
the on-lot management program.
PUBLIC HEARING/MEETINGS
Article 67 & 68 Zoning and Subdivision/Land Development Ordinance
Amendments - October 21, 2002. Please see transcripts. Mr. Millard moved, seconded by
Mr. Ziltz, to table this item to the November 4, 2002, regular meeting for
action. Motion passed four to one with
Mr. Hoffman voting against.
PRESENTATIONS, STAFF/COMMITTE
REPORTS
Oyer Road-Development Legal Question. Mr. John
Murphy and Ms. Susan Smith were present to represent Mr. Oyer. Mr. Murphy gave the history of this
project. In 1999 a 6.7-acre parcel, the
smallest of three parcels, was developed for Troop H State Police
Headquarters. A note was placed on the
Land Development plan at that time stating “Any future development on this
property will require that the access drive be brought up to Township standards
and offered to the Township for dedication.
An edge to edge pavement overlay is also required.” The intent at that time was that the
remaining parcels, zoned highway/commercial, would be developed. The Bretz’s have decided not to develop
those parcels and that project is on permanent hold. Mr. Oyer is now seeking to complete a second building at the site
for a State Police training facility. A
traffic analysis was done on the property, determining that there would be an
additional 40 peak-hour cars at the intersection, which would have minimal
affect. The question is the legalities
in terms of the existing approval with the contingency of an improved road. Mr. Oyer has provided many improvements to
both Carlson Dr. and Bretz Dr. but is seeking relief from further upgrades to
Bretz Dr. until development is completed on the other parcels. Mr. Yost stated that the Board has the legal
authority to waive the requirements established in 1999 but cautioned that with
the waiver the questions of who does the road improvements, when they are done,
who pays, etc., must be answered. There
was a great deal of discussion by the Supervisors, including a consultation with
members of the Fire Company on access for firefighting equipment. Mr.
Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Ziltz, to deny the request to waive the road
improvement and leave the note in the land development plan as recorded. Motion passed three to two with Mrs.
Zimmerman and Mr. Jones voting against the motion.
Bill McCahan – Update on Fire Related Matters. Mr.
McCahan reported on his attendance at the Keystone Emergency Management
Association meeting held last week. The
number one item discussed was the gravity of the current situation of terrorism
and shootings. Another concern is the
portability of Workers Compensation beyond the Township lines. The Township insurance is currently in
review and the manager will make sure this portability is addressed. Mr. McCahan also addressed the poor conditions
at the Pilot detention pond. It appears
that the screened pipe in the detention pond has been removed allowing
everything to leave the detention pond immediately and run down onto Jonestown
Rd. Mr. McCahan asked Fire Chief
Johnson to address concerns of trucks at the Dermody property. The trucks are missing the entrance, moving
further down Route 39 and attempting u-turns, blocking Route 39 and causing
hazardous driving conditions. Mr. Rimer
will contact Tim Patton, the local manager, to address the concerns.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Workshop meeting – October 14, 2002. Mr. Hoffman moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman, to approve
the minutes. Motion passed unanimously
TREASURER’S REPORT
Mr. Millard read the Treasurer’s report:
Mr.
Millard identified the following prepaid expenditures:
Vouchers prepaid to meet due
dates $0.00
Total prepaid expenditures $23,659.79
Mr. Ziltz moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman, to
approved the prepaid expenditures.
Motion passed unanimously.
Vouchers to be approved 10/21/02 $105,259.16
There was discussion on several specific
items. Mr. Ziltz moved,
seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman, to approve the vouchers of $105,259.16. Motion passed unanimously.
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS AND PLANS
A.
#01.010,
F/LD Vartan Bank, Clover Lane & Allentown Boulevard (Received Time
Extension until December 3, 2002, Action by November 18, 2002)
OLD BUSINESS
Project/Program Status Report. Mr. Rimer reminded the Board of the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Pumpkin carving contest at the new Skyline Pavilion on Tuesday at 6 PM.
Motion - Ordinance Proposal – Lock Box Entry System for Certain Structures in West Hanover Township. This item was tabled for further work on the ordinance. It was suggested that a fee assessment to companies participating in the system be included in the ordinance.
Motion – Authorization for lease/purchase of Township Administrative vehicles. There was some discussion of the merits of a lease/purchase agreement versus an outright purchase using borrowed funds. The lease/purchase allows the township to avoid the debt limit rules in effect for Townships. Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Ziltz, to enter into a lease/purchase from Town and Country leasing of Lancaster. Motion passed with four yes votes and Mr. Hoffman abstaining.
Motion –Reconsideration of Central Dauphin School Text Amendments for Zoning Ordinance. Dennis Shatto and Brian Bingaman represented the Central Dauphin School District. Mr. Shatto briefly reviewed the high points of the text amendment:
1. Buffer yards and screening: The amendment proposes trading a buffer zone of 150’ for no screening within the buffer area. If the buffer zone is less that 150’ a modified level 1 screening would be required. This modified level 1 specifies no screening from ground level to a height of 6’.
2. Street trees: The amendment proposes the ability to cluster the trees with no reduction in the number of trees as stated in the ordinance.
3. Parking lot landscaping: The amendment proposes the ability to cluster the trees with no reduction in the number of trees as stated in the ordinance.
Mr. Shatto specified that these issues were for security and safety reasons. Mr. Bingaman stated that the economic savings of changing from level 2 to level 3 screening was negligible. Changing from level 3 to modified level 1 screening would result in a savings of $30,000. Changing from level 3 to level 1 screening would result in a savings of $10,000 to $15,000. Mr. Ziltz moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to reconsider the text amendment section B, item C. Parking lot landscaping. Motion passed four to one with Mrs. Zimmerman voting against the motion. Mr. Ziltz moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to reconsider the text amendment section B, item B. Street Trees. Motion passed four to one with Mrs. Zimmerman voting against the motion. Section B, item A. Buffer Yards and Screening was not reconsidered. A revised text amendment ordinance (without section A) should be submitted to the Dauphin County Planning Commission for review. Action on the new text amendment will be considered at its meeting on November 18, 2002.
Motion – Final Determination
of Required Recreation fees of Central Dauphin HS LD Plan. Mr. Shatto presented a letter from Dr.
Hasson, Superintendent, outlining the administrative procedures for open access
or public use of facilities of the school district. The School District is asking for a waiver of land dedication or
fees-in-lieu-of land dedication for recreational uses. The use of School Facilities procedures,
adopted May 20, 1991 and revised February 12, 1996, in addition to Dr. Hassan’s
letter of October 21, 2002, provide the basis for the argument that the School
District is providing more than adequate recreation facilities. Mr.
Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Ziltz, to waive the requirement for land
dedication and fee-in-lieu-of public park and recreation land dedication based
on substantial compliance with the terms of the letter of Dr. Hassan dated
October 21, 2002. If the School
District is found not to be in compliance with this letter the Board reserves
the right to request, and the School District has the duty to pay, the
fee-in-lieu-of
funds. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion – BOS Conference Authorization Twp. Code Section 607. (4). Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to authorize Betz England to attend the Bookkeeping and Accounting Basics class in Enola on Jan. 11, 2003. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion – Resolution 2002-53, Annual Township Fee Resolution. Mr. Ziltz moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to table this item until the November 4, 2002, regular meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion – Resolution 2002-54, Annual Fireman’s Relief Payment. Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman, to approved Resolution 2002-54, Annual Fireman’s Relief Payment. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion – Tentative Approval 2003 Public Investment Plan – Set Special Meeting for Budget Review. Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Ziltz, to table this item and set November 11, 2002, as a special workshop session to discuss the budget, and set and advertise November 14, 2002, as an additional workshop date if needed for the budget. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion – Authorize installation of public fire hydrants – Brynfield East Phases II & II. Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman, to authorize the installation of 2 fire hydrants in Brynfield East Phases II and III. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion – Authorization for purchase of new Senior Citizen Van. Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to authorize the purchase of a 2003 Ford Windstar for the Sr. Citizen Van program from Hoffman Ford, utilizing the state contract. Motion passed with four yes votes and Mr. Hoffman abstaining.
Motion – Release of Security, Brynfield Phases 1, 3, 9. Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Ziltz, to authorize the release of $39,500 security for Brynfield phases 1, 3, and 9. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion – Release of Security, Brynfield Phase 5 & 10. Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman, to authorize the release of $37,775 security for Brynfield phases 5 and 10. Motion passed unanimously.
Review and comment – Eshenauer Pond Stream Bank Rehabilitation & Bob Longnecker Construction of driveway through wetlands. The Board had a brief discussion of the two Act 14 notifications and felt both should be forwarded to the EAC for comment. The Board had no comment to forward on to the DEP.
Motion – Supervisor representative on Ped Path Steering Committee. Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to nominate Mr. Millard and Mr. Ziltz to serve as the Board representatives on the Ped Path Steering committee. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion – Modern Transit Resolution. It was decided to send this matter to the Planning Commission for review and table the item till the November 4, 2002, regular meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Ziltz
moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman, to accept the resignation of Douglas Moore
from the Planning Commission. Motion
passed unanimously.
Mr. Jones made special note of the first
public meeting for the I-81 Widening study.
Public officials will meet starting at 3:30 PM on October 30, 2002, at
the Holiday Inn, Grantville, prior to the public meeting scheduled from 5:30 to
7:30 PM.
OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY COME
BEFORE THE BOARD
Mr.
Yost reported that he has received a release of the Kodak litigation. The only remaining litigation pending is the
Steinmeier/Nyand suit.
The
Christmas Party has been place under the Park and Recreation domain. It was recommended that Ms. Fesig contact
the Fire Hall about arrangements and tentatively set Thursday, December 12,
2002, as the date.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jim
Johnson, President West Hanover Township Fire Company. Mr. Johnson advised the Board that there
would be 4 fire engines out on Halloween night and would be handing out glow
sticks to trick-or-treaters.
SUPERVISORS COMMENTS
Mr.
Ziltz: Mr. Ziltz
brought up the subject of permitting fees for Central Dauphin School
District. The request for a decrease in
the fees would have to come from the School District in writing. Several different recommendations were
discussed.
Mr.
Millard. Mr.
Millard would like to add the issue of Swatara Capacity to the agenda for the
November 4, 2002, regular meeting.
Mr.
Jones: Mr. Jones
informed the Board of a recent incident of a dog bite resulting in 40 stitches
to the victim. This type of incident
should immediately be referred to the State Police.
ADJOURNMENT: 11:15 PM.