The Schuylkill Township Planning Commission held their regular meeting on Wednesday, December 17, 2008, at the Township Hall. Members of the Planning Commission present were Mr. Jack Claffey, Mr. Morris Quigg, Mr. Dan Keogh, and Mr. Jim Reading. Ms. Jan Potts was not in attendance. John Sartor and Mary Lou Lowrie of Gilmore & Associates were present as well as Township Manager Mary Bird.
On motion made by Mr. Jack Claffey seconded by Mr. Morris Quigg and passed, the Planning Commission approved the minutes of the November 17, 2008 meeting.
EDC Property, Township Line Road – Mr. Kevin Mohn came before the Planning Commission with an update regarding the status of EDC’s expansion plans. They received favorable decisions from the Zoning Hearing Board and Conditional Use Hearing. All relief they were requesting was granted. Mr. Mohn stated they will comply with Gilmore & Associates latest review letter dated December 17, 2008, however they will need waivers to comply. Mr. Mohn asked the Planning Commission to grant a waiver to allow existing features within 400 feet of a property line. Mr. Keogh made a motion to recommend the waiver, all approved, motion granted to allow existing features within 400 feet of a property line. Gilmore stated in the review letter that the parking aisle width on the plans for a 24 foot width, the minimum lane width should be 25 feet. Mr. Mohn stated that they will comply with Gilmore’s request and change the dimensions of the parking aisle width to meet the 25 foot width requirement; therefore they will not need a waiver for this. Mr. Mohn advised that they did get a variance from the Zoning Hearing Board for the Stormwater Management Facilities setback. Mr. Claffey made a motion to grant the SWM waiver, Mr. Quigg seconded the motion, all approved, motion granted to allow the waiver for SWM facilities setback. Mr. Reading made a motion to allow EDC to keep the parking area stone and not paving, as required by the ordinance. Mr. Claffey seconded the motion, all approved, motion granted. Mr. Keogh made a motion to grant a waiver allowing grading within 5 feet of the property line along the private road. Mr. Reading seconded the motion, all approved. Mr. Claffey made a motion to not require the replacement of topsoil on the 2:1 slope rock wall, as it would wash away during a heavy rain. Mr. Keogh seconded the motion, all approved. Mr. Sartor recommended that the Planning Commission grant preliminary/final approval of the plans. Mr. Claffey made a motion to approval the plans. Mr. Quigg seconded the motion, all approved to recommend the plans to the Board of Supervisors.
Reeves Property & 876 E. Philip Drive, “Mooney Property” – Mr. Pohlig presented a plan to the Planning Commission showing the connection from the Reeves subdivision through the Mooney property using the 50 foot right of way. In order to use the right of way they must show subdivision plans. They do not want to demolish the house, they want to keep the house and just create a 50 foot right of way. Mr. Snyder wants to simplify the plans and put everything, the right of way and the 200 foot road extension, on one plan. Mr. Snyder again stressed that there will be no land development on the Mooney property, they are leaving the property as is, just strictly using it as a road right of way.
Mr. Wichner of TPD spoke about traffic issues again regarding the two accesses to the development. He compared traffic studies done on the intersection of Valley Forge Road (Route 23) and Whitehorse Road from 2006 and 2008. The 2008 study actually shows a decrease in traffic, .15 % am decrease and a 6% pm decrease. Mr. Wichner states this is due to the intersection working better due to the closed loop system. Mr. Wichner stated that he met with Eric Kaufmann last Tuesday and he feels that TPD has met all of Gilmore’s requests. Plans for traffic calming devices were submitted to Mr. Sartor at tonight’s Planning Commission meeting. Mr. Claffey requested that Mr. Wichner bring a visual representation of the traffic study to the next Planning Commission meeting. Mr. Wichner stated that they are still working with PennDot, and he feels that the HOP permit will be approved by PennDot within the next month. Mr. Wichner is requesting PennDot change the timing system on the closed loop for the Rt. 23 and Whitehorse Road intersection to further reduce traffic back ups. A resident of East Philip Drive questioned Mr. Wichner on how they come up with the numbers, how they split the development with the two entrances, what the logic is. Mr. Wichner stated it is based on years of traffic studies, engineering and over 400 studies from around the country. The township resident was concerned with the cut through traffic that will use the development and East Philip Drive to make a left onto Whitehorse Road, eliminating the intersection. Mr. Wichner stated that they are working with PennDot to change the light’s timing so it will be quicker time wise to stay on Route 23 to make the left onto Whitehorse. Mr. Wichner stated that is now takes 154 seconds for am rush hour westbound traffic to turn left onto Whitehorse Road from Route 23. With their improvements to the intersection it will take only 101 seconds. Mr. Wichner will have more information on this study to present at the next meeting. Mr. Wichner also advised the township resident that PennDot is aware of the second access but they can’t react to anything without a plan. Mr. Wichner stated that the plans will be revised to show only one plan so Penndot can see the second access. Mr. Meaney, an East Philip Drive resident, asked about a new traffic study. Mr. Sartor stated they received the new study today, December 17, 2008, and that Eric Kauffman will review it and present at the next meeting in January.
Mr. Snyder stated that he met with the township’s EAC and resolved a lot of outstanding issues. He will submit a more detailed letter prior to the next Planning Commission meeting outlining the issues discussed.
Pending – No discussion – Exxon (Rt. 23 & Whitehorse Rd), Brackman Property, Magic Memories Daycare, Ratoskey & Trainor/Faggioli 330 Pawling Rd.
There being no further business for discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kimberly Yocom
Township Clerk
Next Meeting Wednesday January 21, 2008