The Schuylkill Township Planning Commission held their regular meeting on Wednesday, January 16, 2008, at the Township Hall. Members of the Planning Commission present were Mr. James Reading, Mr. William Brennan, Mr. Morris Quigg, Mr. Dan Keogh, and Ms. Jan Potts. Mr. Jack Claffey was not present. Township Manager Mary Bird and Township Engineer John Sartor of Gilmore & Associates were also present.
On motion by Mr. Quigg, seconded by Mr. Keogh and passed, the Planning Commission retained Mr. Reading as Chair and Mr. Brennan as Vice Chair of the Planning Commission.
On motion by Mr. Brennan, seconded by Mr. Quigg and passed, the Planning Commission approved the minutes of the December 19, 2007 meeting.
Stormwater Management Ordinance - John Sartor presented a revision to the current Stormwater Management ordinance # 2005-02 which was adopted by the Township in 2005. Mr. Sartor feels this revision will allow residents that currently are not stormwater compliant due to soil conditions (i.e. clay, sand, rock), to be able to proceed with constructing pools, additions, etc. to their property if they abide by the proposed revision:
"Section 4.3.1.A.1.c.: Where the Applicant can demonstrate through on-site soils evaluations and supporting engineering calculations that site conditions preclude a design complying with Section 4.3.1.A.1.b. above, then best management practices shall be provided that capture and infiltrate, or otherwise permanently retain or detain on site the largest percentage of the total volume of runoff generated from the one and one-half inch (1.5"), twenty-four hour storm that site conditions allow such that this quantity of runoff is not discharged from the site. The calculation of runoff generated shall be based on a summation of the runoff generated by each individual cover type. Impervious and pervious covers shall be calculated separately. The averaging or weighting of a composite curve number (CN) or runoff coefficient (c) is prohibited for volume calculations. Runoff calculations shall include all areas proposed to be disturbed and/or regarded."
Mr. Reading and Mr. Sartor discussed what types of requirements must be met, sub-surface detention basins, holding tanks, and design infiltration were discussed.
On motion by Mr. Brennan, seconded by Mr. Keogh and passed, the Planning Commission adopted the above revision to the Stormwater Management Ordinance.
Brackman Property – For the record, Mr. Brennan recused himself from any and all discussion pertaining to the Brackman subdivision to avoid any conflict of interests. Tom Smith, of Conver & Smith Engineering and J. Kenneth Butera, his attorney, presented plans for the Brackman subdivision and advised that they have filed for a Zoning Hearing seeking a special exception to the "no structure zone", which currently prohibits any structure within 50 feet of a floodplain zone. Per Township ordinances, a driveway is considered a structure. Mr. Butera advised that the driveway for the existing residence does not meet current PennDot requirements. The proposed driveway to Lot 1, which will enter from Country Club Rd., will exceed PennDot site distance requirements. PennDot currently requires 235ft of site distance, the proposed driveway will have 500ft on one side and 732ft on the other, with the removal of one tree. This proposed driveway will eliminate the current driveway to the existing residence. The proposed driveway is 15ft off of the property line of adjacent residents on Nathan Hale Drive. At this time, residents Paul and Florence Tashjian, 1396 Nathan Hale Drive, addressed the Planning Commission. Their rear yard backs up to the proposed Lot 1 of the Brackman subdivision. They object to the placement of the new driveway 15 ft from their property line. They feel they will be subjected to light pollution from the headlights/brake lights, high noise and visual pollution, and flooding of their property from the stormwater runoff from the substantial amount of impervious surface that will run the length of their backyard. Ms. Brackman stated that Mr. Tashjian was the one who removed trees and cleared out vegetation from his rear yard property line when he bought the property and that is why he will see the proposed driveway. At this time there was discussion between Mr. Smith, Mr. Butera, Mr. Quigg, and Mr. Sartor regarding the driveway being 15ft from Mr. Tashjian's property. Mr. Sartor advised that there are no requirements in the Township for setbacks for driveways. Mr. Smith advised that as a courtesy they would look into seeing if it were feasible to move the proposed driveway further away from the property line. Regarding Lots 2 & 3 of the subdivision, if a special exception is granted by the Zoning Hearing Board to allow a structure within 50ft of a floodplain, the proposed driveway will enter off of Valley Park Road. It will begin as a shared driveway then split off to each individual residence. Mr. Sartor advised Mr. Smith that within the Townships land development plan the Board of Supervisors can require a driveway that services two or more private residences to be built to meet road standards and can be considered a private road. Mr. Sartor recommended the entrance of the shared drive be 12ft wide for the first 50ft off of Valley Park Rd. Mr. Keogh's recommendation of fewer driveways on Country Club Road for safety issues, that the plan continue with the shared driveway entrance off Valley Park Road for Lots 2 & 3, and the new driveway off Country Club for Lot 1, with the removal of the existing driveway, was agreed with by Planning Commission. The proposed shared driveway will require the removal of several large trees. Mr. Sartor advised that the Brackman subdivision plans have only been reviewed for zoning only and have not been reviewed under the subdivision ordinance.
On motion by Mr. Quigg, seconded by Mr. Keogh and passed, the common drive for Lots 2 & 3 shall be 12ft wide for 150ft off of Valley Park Rd. The remaining driveway to each residence can be the proposed 10ft wide.
Reeves Property – Mr. Todd Pohlig, of Pohlig Builders, appeared before the Planning Commission to update them of the status of the proposed development plans. Mr. Pohlig advised that he has met with the Township's EAC and Historical Commission, but would like to be present at both of their meetings scheduled for February. Mr. Pohlig wants to present the EAC with revised plans and have another site walk. Mr. Reading inquired as to when the Planning Commission can expect to see the revised plans. Mr. Pohlig advised they are working out some technical issues and making some corrections and are hoping to have plans ready to submit at the next Planning Commission meeting. Mr. Sartor wants easements shown on the plans for stormwater areas. Mr. Reading advised new Planning Commission members, Jan Potts and Dan Keogh, that all of the reviews that have taken place for Reeves have only been on preliminary plans. Mr. Reading asked Mr. Pohlig if he would give a brief presentation of the proposed development to the new members. Mr. Pohlig obliged by presenting the plan for the proposed 51 building lots on the 65 acre parcel. Mr. Pohlig spoke of meeting with environmental agencies in Harrisburg regarding the bald eagles, turtles, and other wildlife and vegetation that inhabits the land and timing their heavy construction and building so it will not interfere with the bald eagles nesting time. He also showed areas that Pohlig will plant additional native trees and vegetation to add more of a "buffer" to the reservoir. The existing Manor house and Carriage house will remain as individual lots to be sold, however the existing Tenant house is not salvageable and will be razed. Mr. Pohlig stated that Pohlig Builders retains the right to also raze the Carriage house and construct a new single family home if the Carriage house is not purchased. Ms. Potts questioned Mr. Pohlig if a homeowner who purchases a house that backs up to the reservoir decides they want to clear out trees along the reservoir to enhance their view, will they be allowed. Mr. Pohlig stated that all the lots will be deed restricted to prohibit the removal of trees and/or vegetation along the reservoir.
EDC Property – Kristen Camp, Esq., appeared before the Planning Commission on behalf of Mr. Rolin, owner of EDC Property Company, ("EDC") a print finishing company located at 1000 Township Line Rd., within the LI District. EDC is an existing one story 10,000sq ft metal building on a nonconforming 3 acre lot. EDC has filed an application to the Zoning Hearing Board asking for special exception and variance approval to allow EDC to construct a 13,900sq ft addition. The existing building is 14.7ft from the northern property line, the current setback is 75ft. The addition will be 29.1 ft from the Southeast corner property line and 14.6ft from the northern property line. The existing building also does not meet current Township parking regulations. All parking is currently located in an abandoned easement which provides access to the company from Route 23. Section 2102 of the Ordinance requires that all off street parking be located on the same lot as the parking pertains too. EDC is proposing a 20 stall parking lot along the western side of the building, however in order to do so, it will require zoning relief from Section 1406 of the Ordinance which prohibits off street parking in the front yard and also relief from the required minimum 35ft from parking to property line to 10ft. Ms. Potts questioned the amount of impervious surface that will be created with the parking lot and additional structure. Mr. Roland advised that the parking area will be stone, and that the building is currently surrounded by macadam. Mr. Brennan asked for a copy of the easement access rights. Since the property is landlocked, the legality of the access needs to be confirmed. Ms. Camp advised a copy will be provided. Ms. Camp advised that they will be going to Zoning Hearing Board regarding zoning issues, then Conditional Use before the Board of Supervisors for steep slope issue, then they will file land development plans with the Township. The Planning Commission acknowledged that this business is located in an industrial area within the township and that the proposed addition will have little/no environmental impact and will actually create a more "conforming" to standards non conforming lot. Mr. Reading stated that the Planning Commission encourages the Board of Supervisors to keep business and business growth in the township where it meets our zoning and ordinance requirements.
Pending – The Planning Commission agreed to remove PASD/Meadowbrook Golf Course and 1429 State Road two lot subdivision, from the "Pending: No Discussion" future agendas as there has been no discussion for several months.
There being no further business for discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kimberly Yocom
Township Clerk
Next Meeting February 20, 2008