The Schuylkill Township Planning Commission held their regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at the Township hall. Members of the Planning Commission present were Mr. Jim Reading, Mr. Morris Quigg, Mr. Dan Keogh, Ms. Jan Potts, Mr. Tom Davis and Mr. Brian Lange. Mr. Claffey was not in attendance. Mr. John Sartor & Ms. Mary Lou Lowrie of Gilmore & Associates, the Township Engineer, were present as well.
On motion by Mr. Quigg, seconded by Mrs. Potts, and passed, the Planning Commission approved the minutes of the January 21, 2009 meeting.
Aqua Pennsylvania – Aqua Pa is applying to the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PennVest) for the funding of four improvement projects at the Pickering Water Treatment Facility located off of Route 23. Aqua is requesting that they receive written review from the Township Planning Commission with respect to general land use planning for the four improvements projects – filtration improvements, generator air emission controls, residuals dewatering facilities, and the Schuylkill River raw water intakes and pump station modifications – to provide potable drinking water to locations to be served in the township. On motion by Mr. Keogh, seconded by Mr. Lange, and passed, the Planning Commission approved the letter for PennVest funding that states that the project as outlined in CET Engineering Services correspondence dated February 2, 2009 on behalf of Aqua PA is consistent with the Township’s zoning ordinance and comprehensive plan. The letter does not give any Township zoning or SALDO approvals for individual or cumulative projects proposed by Aqua PA.
Thompson Tract, S. Whitehorse Road – Mr. John Thompson presented a sketch plan for a 23-lot subdivision on the 382 acre property that spans both Charlestown (200 acres) and Schuylkill (182 acres) Townships. The property is currently known as the Pickering Golf Course. The plan shows 10 ½ lots in Schuylkill Township and 12 ½ lots in Charlestown Township. The ½ lot straddles both municipalities. The plan for Schuylkill Township shows 18 buildable lots. Four of those lots are existing family homesteads and another four lots will be absorbed by those homesteads. The lots to be absorbed do not show building envelopes. The property is located in the FR District that requires a lot size of 100,000 sf. The proposed average lot size for the tract within Schuylkill Township is 11 acres. The plan also shows proposed trail areas. Water and septic to be on-site.
Mr. Thompson stated that the plan is contingent on selling down the density for the property. The proposed density buy-down would propose the 10 ½ buidlable lots. Schuylkill Township and Charlestown Township are working with the family and North American Land Trust regarding the density. Mr. Reading stated that he had attended a joint meeting with Charlestown Township in October of 2008 regarding the Thompson tract.
Mr. Thompson stated that there are some steep slopes along the Township boundary line that may need relief from the SALDO during the plan review process. Mr. Ledbetter stated that EAC members who are dealing with trails have an interest in the property. Some planning will need to work around phasing of the development. Mr. Ledbetter stated that there has been discussion between the two municipalities to purchase an easement. Mr. Thompson stated that the lots would be deed restricted and an HOA will be in place. Mr. Reading stated that some of the Township’s ordinances may be counter intuitive with development items such as road layout going through or around steep slopes.
Mr. Ledbetter stated that he is concerned with the applicant working between two municipalities and their ordinances. Mr. Reading suggested a special meeting with Charlestown and Schuylkill Township. Mr. Thompson asked that the meeting be held before preliminary plan submittal and that the engineers attend the meeting as well. The Planning Commission requested that Mr. Sartor give feedback for discussion purposes regarding the sketch plan submittal.
Ratoskey & Trainor, Inc., 330 Pawling Road – the applicant was not present this evening. Mr. Sartor relayed to the Planning Commission that Mr. Ratosky was before the Board at the February meeting and requested that Schuylkill Township sign off on the US Dept of Homeland Security – Federal Emergency Mgt. Agency Community Acknowledgement (CLOMR-F) application. Signing the form would have acknowledged that there are no floodplain or floodway impacts with the proposed project of condominiums at the former American Inks and Coatings property. Mr. Sartor advised that the Township needs to review the land development plans to ascertain if there is an impact. It is a catch-22 situation for the applicant - which comes first the municipal review or the federal one. Mrs. Potts stated that this is type of development is a new concept for the Township.
Draft On-Lot Septic Management Ordinance – On motion by Mrs. Potts, seconded by Mr. Lange and passed, the Planning Commission recommended that the ordinance as drafted be moved to the Board of Supervisors for review and adoption.
In other discussion, Mr. Ledbetter gave a synopsis regarding the Reeves property and the discussion that was held at the February 4 Board meeting.
There being no further business for discussion, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m
Respectfully submitted,
Mary R. Bird
Township Manager