NORTH WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

3256 LEVANS ROAD, COPLAY, PA 18037

 

PLANNIN g G COMMISSION MINUTES OF JULY 27, 2010

 

 

Meeting brought to order at 7:30 p.m., on Tuesday, July 27, 2010 by Vice Chairman Brian Horwith.

 

Attendance:

Vice Chairman Brian Horwith

William George

Secretary Bruce Stettler

Leonard Nuss

Attorney Lisa Young

Joanne Guth

Township Engineer Steve Gitch

Jeff Johnson

John Barto

Planning Administrator Jane Kelly

 

Minutes of the June 22, 2010 meeting were approved as presented.

 

Riverside Professional Building Site Improvements- Preliminary – Project # NWT-10-013- Land Development, 5649 Wynnewood Drive & 1050 Canterbury Drive, Laurys Station, 1.71 acres, C zone, Parcel ID #’’s 5581 2566 7666 & 5581 2546 5556. Waiver request to be considered a Preliminary/Final. 90-Day Deadline starts 6/28/10, 90-Day deadline 9/25/10. The plan was presented by Steve Pany; Pany and Lentz Engineering and Steve Mohle; equitable owner.

 

a.       Keystone Engineers have reviewed the plan and offered their comments and recommendations in a letter dated July 21, 2010.

b.       Zoning Officer's review is contained in his letter dated July 16, 2010.          

c.       Sewage Enforcement Officer's review is contained in his letter dated July 21, 2010.

d.       Traffic Engineer's review is contained in her letter dated July 7, 2010.

e.       The proposed plan will add an additional 38 new parking spaces on the east end of the parking lot.

f.         The current parking lot has 102 parking spaces but occasionally the patients park along Wynnewood Drive to provide closer parking to the building. The proposed additional parking spaces would allow employee parking and closer additional parking for the patients.

g.       Planning Commission member Jeff Johnson questioned the previous PennDot permit for this property, is it still valid, when was it last applied for, can it be reapplied for?  Developer’s engineer stated the PennDot permit was revoked 5years ago and they will reapply. Developer’s engineer also stated the Township has money in escrow for the improvements to Canterbury Road from the previous developer.

h.       Planning Commission member Leonard Nuss stated in his opinion it is not the Township’s responsibility to straighten out the pipe problem in Canterbury Drive with PennDot, the developer should be responsible for this issue. Leonard also stated the Township has money in escrow for the pipe installation but not for roadway improvements to Canterbury Road.

i.         There was various discussion regarding the previous and oncoming drainage issue on Canterbury Drive.

j.         Planning Commission member John Barto questioned the names on tracts B and C, when will the owner names be changed? Developer’s engineer stated the names will change once the transaction occurs.

k.       Planning Commission member Joanne Guth questioned the proposed stormwater plan. Developer’s engineer stated with the improvements proposed there will be less stormwater runoff from this site.

l.         Planning Commission member Joanne Guth also stated Canterbury Drive was spelled incorrectly several times on the plan.

m.     Planning Commission member Bruce Stettler stated PennDot needs to be reapplied to be approved

n.       Planning Commission Vice Chairman Brian Horwith questioned what changed in 5 years for the need to add an additional 38 parking spaces. Developer stated the need to service their patients. The developer is also aware of the previous drainage issues and is willing to fix this problem but he wants to serve the patients as needed.

o.       Planning Commission Vice Chairman Brian Horwith stated the prior approval required the drainage to be addressed, which it has not.  Regardless of the reason, in this case PennDot’s denial of the permit, the drainage should be fixed before any additional development takes place.  Further, the township does not desire to be the party completing the work.  PennDot needs to be contacted and dialogue initiated by the applicant to bring all the facts and circumstances to the surface so a plan of action can be determined.

p.       Planning Commission member Jeff Johnson questioned Canterbury Road, would it pass with PennDot as it stand now? Developer’s engineer stated probably, 5 years old ago, it was debatable. 

 

 

 

 

Planning Commission has recommended the following conditions:

1.       Developer shall address to the satisfaction of the General Planning Engineer the comments and recommendations set forth in his letter dated July 21, 2010.

2.       Developer shall address the Zoning Officer's comments as set forth in his review letter dated July 16, 2010.

3.       Developer shall address the Sewage Enforcement Officer's comments as set forth in his review letter dated July 21, 2010

4.       Developer shall address the Traffic Engineer's comments as set forth in her review letter dated July 7, 2010.

5.       A copy of the agreement of sale between Terry Harakal and Steve Mohle shall be given to the Township.

6.       Location map shall show all parcels involved in the proposed Land Development.

 

Comments from the Floor:

Bud Newton; 4916 Orchard Road, Schnecksville, suggested the Township engineer set up a meeting with PennDot, the developer and the developer’s engineer to discuss the pipe and the drainage issue.

Township Solicitor stated a re-application would also get their foot in the door.

 

Mark Hills, 5149 River Road, Laurys Station, questioned how is Canterbury Road being used if there is no PennDot permit? Planning Commission stated it is an illegal road.

 

Jeff Johnson motioned to recommend Preliminary approval with the condition that the developer and/or his engineer and Township representatives meet with PennDot to resolve the pipe issue in Canterbury Drive or at least get all the facts and circumstances opened for discussion, Leonard Nuss seconded, all others agreed. 

The developer’s engineer withdrew the waiver request to upgrade to a Preliminary/Final.

 

 North Whitehall Commercial Center, Lot 5, Wal-Mart Store – Final – Project # NWT- 07-021 – Land Development, 3872 Route 309, south side of Route 309, opposite Levans Road, 32.67 acres, PC zone, Parcel ID# 5468 4911 9262. 90-Day Deadline starts 6/28/10, 90-Day deadline 9/25/10. . Bud Newton; Newton Engineering and Erick Schock; Fritzpatrick, Lentz & Bubba presented the plan.

 

a.       Keystone Engineers have reviewed the plan and offered their comments and recommendations in a letter dated July 21, 2010.

b.       Zoning Officer's review is contained in his letter dated July 16, 2010.           

c.       Sewage Enforcement Officer's review is contained in his letter dated July 21, 2010.

d.       Traffic Engineer's review is contained in her letter dated July 7, 2010.

e.       Mr. Newton and Mr. Schock reviewed the list of conditions agreed upon with the Township Board of Supervisors with the Planning Commission.

f.         Mr. Newton stated both fire departments could respond to any calls at the proposed Wal-Mart site, Tri-Clover Fire Department or Schnecksville Department.

g.       Wal-mart is willing to share their water supply with both fire departments and will work with both of them.

h.       Mr. Newton stated Wal-Mart is ready to go back to PennDot with their phasing issues.

i.         Wal-Mart will submit 3 copies to the Township with their application of what they give to PennDot.

j.         Planning Commission member Joanne Guth questioned the $1.5 million traffic contribute, what is this being used for? Mr. Newton stated Wal-mart has worked together with PennDot regarding Route 309 and the improvements needed for the road for the Land Development. The Township can use the contribute as they see fit.

k.       Joanne Guth also questioned the landscaping, are there evergreens and what type of fence will be used? Mr. Newton stated Township Supervisor Stahley has a background in landscaping and was working with the landscaping plans; there is a set of plans in the Township office. The fencing to be used is the same black fencing as along Old Packhouse Road.

l.         Planning Commission member Bruce Stettler questioned the future roads for the additional lots 1 thru 4, once these are developed, who will take care of these roads? Mr. Newton stated an association will be formed to take care of the roads.

m.     Planning Commission member Jeff Johnson questioned if the Township has an ordinance for overnight parking. Mr. Newton stated the Township does not have an ordinance regarding overnight parking of tractor-trailers; Wal-mart will put up signs stated no overnight parking of tractor-trailers.

n.       Jeff Johnson also requested that the colors of the hydrants meet the National Fire Protection Association standards and that they contain 5-inch fittings.

Planning Commission has recommended the following conditions:

1.       Developer shall address to the satisfaction of the General Planning Engineer the comments and recommendations set forth in his letter dated July 21,2010.

2.       Developer shall address the Zoning Officer's comments as set forth in his review letter dated July 16, 2010.

3.       Developer shall address the Sewage Enforcement Officer's comments as set forth in his review letter dated July 21, 2010.

4.       Developer shall address the Traffic Engineer's comments as set forth in her review letter dated July 7, 2010.

 

 

Comments from the Floor:

Charles Knauss, 3525 Apple Road, Orefield, questioned when is the expected completion date? Mr. Knauss also questioned if local workers were going to be hired and if they were going to be union workers?

Mr. Newton stated the expected completion date is sometime in early 2012, and as to who will be hired to build the building, he has no idea.

 

Planning Commission member Leonard Nuss questioned if Wal-Mart intended to start building as soon as the plan was approved.

Mr. Newton stated the plan was to start as soon as they could.

 

Leonard Nuss motioned to recommend Final approval, Jeff Johnson seconded, and a vote was taken, all others agreed - the motion carried.

 

Proposed Revised Driveway Ordinance

 

o        A radius is needed to handle a 40ft long vehicle.

o        One ordinance is needed for residential and one is needed for commercial.

o        The Township engineer should inspect the driveways.

o        There should be a required amount of stone and paving.

 

Comments from the Floor:

Bradley Petrohoy, 4726 Shankweiler Road, Orefield, suggests putting a height requirement for the trees when built.

 

It is proposed for the Draft Ordinance to be reviewed at the August Planning Commission meeting.

 

Ø       Any other items that may be discussed at the discretion of the Planning Commission

 

 

Jeff Johnson motioned to adjourn, Leonard Nuss seconded, all others agreed

 

Meeting Adjourned: 9:25pm

Jane K. Kelly

Recording Secretary

Planning Administrator

North Whitehall Township

 

 

 

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