The Schuylkill Township Planning Commission held their regular meeting on Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at the Township Hall. Members of the Planning Commission present were Mr. James Reading, Mr. William Brennan, Mr. Jack Claffey, Mr. Dan Keogh, Ms. Jan Potts, and Mr. Morris Quigg. Township Manager Mary Bird, John Sartor and MaryLou Lowrie of Gilmore & Associates were also present.
On motion by Mr. Quigg, seconded by Ms. Jan Potts and passed, the Planning Commission approved the minutes of the March 19, 2008 meeting.
Reeves Property – Wayne Leighton appeared before the Planning Commission on behalf of Pohlig Builders to provide status on Pohlig's response to Gilmore & Associates review letter of 3/18/08. Mr. Leighton provided a copy of an informal status letter he drafted to the Planning Commission. This letter was NOT formally submitted to the Planning Commission, this was only an informational draft letter. Mr. Leighton advised that Pohlig and the Townships Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) visited the Reeves property on 4/11/08 so the EAC could respond to issues in Gilmore's review letter that were deferred to the EAC for their input. Pohlig builders also met with the Townships Historical Commission on 3/29/08 at Reeves and also requested the Historical Commission to respond to issues in the review letter. Mr. Leighton stated they have also sent a request to Yerkes Associates asking them to respond to the zoning concerns in the review letter. Mr. Leighton advised that they still need to get answers to some issues raised in the review letter from the Township Roadmaster (snow removal setbacks) and the Township Solicitor. Mr. Leighton said that Pohlig would like to again review the alternate plan for development, which Pohlig feels are better, able to proceed without requesting as many waivers. They would rather have the alternate plan without waivers than the plan now with waivers, as waivers can be denied. Mr. Claffey stated that one of the waivers being requested is being held up due to the disagreement of having one or two access roads. Mr. Claffey advised that he was willing to say ok to the waiver requesting road width be changed from 32' to 28' or even 24' if the property had two access roads, however if they go with only one access road maybe the roads should be 32'. Mr. Leighton agreed that there are numerous issues wherein both parties disagree, such as the ALTA Survey. Mr. Leighton advised also that there are certain ordinance requirements that they can't meet due to PennDot regulations not allowing them to do what our ordinance states. Jim Morrisson, Supervisor and audience member, advised the Planning Commission that it is his understanding that PennDot usually applies whatever is most restrictive. Mr. Morrisson also informed the Planning Commission that several residents near the Reeves property have voiced concerns to him regarding the development. Mr. Morrisson stated that the tree protection zone infringement issue will be brought before the Planning Commission soon. Neighboring residents are having a certified arborist look at their trees to determine what affects, if any, the proposed access road will have on their trees.
There being no further business for discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m
Respectfully submitted,
Kimberly Yocom
Township Clerk
Next Meeting May 21, 2008