The Schuylkill Township Planning Commission held their regular meeting on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at the Township hall. Members of the Planning Commission present were Mr. Jim Reading, Mr. Jack Claffey, Mr. Morris Quigg, Mrs. Jan Potts and Mr. Dan Keogh. Mr. William Brennan has resigned from the Planning Commission to take the position of interim Township Solicitor for the Township. Mr. John Sartor and Ms. Mary Lou Lowrie from Gilmore & Associates were also present. Also in attendance were Mr. Norman Vutz, Mr. Lee Ledbetter and Mr. Jim Morrisson of the Board of Supervisors.
On motion by Mr. Quigg, seconded by Mrs. Potts and passed, the Planning Commission approved the minutes of the June 18, 2008.
EDC Property – Mr. Mohn of Systems Design Engineering, Inc representing the property owner Mr. Rowland reviewed the waivers needed for the land development plan: 1) Section 401.C.2.a, 401.D.16.d(1) and 401.D.16.d(2) requiring features be located within 400 feet of the property; 2) Section 503.1.a–c requiring off-street automobile parking facilities; 3) Section 510.E.11.b requiring stormwater management facilities setbacks; and 4) Section 518.D.c requiring grading within 5’ of the property line. Waivers # 2 and #3 to be considered require variances from other zoning ordinance sections. On motion by Mr. Claffey, seconded by Mr. Quigg, and passed, the Planning Commission recommended to the Board of Supervisors the granting of waivers #1 and #4. Mr. Reading stated that the Planning Commission although not having granted the waiver for the off-street parking facilities due to the need for a variance was still in favor of a stone parking lot.
Reeves Property – Mr. Snyder representing Pohlig Builders stated that they were done with Planning Commission issues and they did not see any open issues with the June 17, 2008 review letter from Gilmore & Associates. He advised that Pohlig Builders has asked for further clarification for the Township Zoning Officer on some issues. Mr. Reading questioned the status of the project before the Zoning Hearing Board and if there were issues that would affect the plan. Mr. Snyder stated that they are in the process of presenting their case. Mr. Snyder stated that the Planning Commission cannot grant final approval of the plan but could grant conditional preliminary plan approval. He stated that the issues before the Zoning Hearing Board would not change the plan significantly. Mr. Snyder stated that there are no issues before the Zoning Hearing Board that would affect lot yield.
Mr. Claffey questioned the width of the road and stated that the main road should be as wide as it can be so that emergency equipment can get back into the development. On motion by Mr. Claffey, seconded by Mr. Keogh and passed, the Planning Commission recommended that there be an emergency access at East Phillip Drive for the development.
Mr. Quigg asked about the status of the traffic study. Mr. Wishner of Traffic, Planning & Design stated that they have responded to Gilmore & Associates review letter. He advised that they have also provided a response to the difference of opinion regarding the gap analysis. Mr. Claffey stated that the closed loop system that is currently being installed along Route 23 will allow for a steadier stream of traffic going past the development. Mr. Wishner stated that the closed loop system has been taken into account in the traffic study. Mr. Morrisson stated that the GAI traffic study concurs with Gilmore & Associates findings.
Mr. Sartor stated that Chester Valley Engineers has acknowledged their review comments and will be revising the plans. Mr. Claffey questioned how the Planning Commission could take action on the Reeves property plan if Gilmore & Associates has not reviewed the submission by the developer received by the Township on July 16. Mr. Quigg stated that there were three main issues to deal with: stormwater management, the HOP and Traffic Study and the issues before the Zoning Hearing Board. Mr. Reading stated that the HOP should be a condition of approval. Mr. Claffey stated that the Planning Commission is on record that they like the 28’ cartway. Mr. Snyder stated that waivers would be needed for the cartway width, paving of the emergency access and the planting of street trees within the right-of-way.
Mrs. Potts questioned if the comments and issues raised by the Regional Planning Commission were being disregarded. Mr. Snyder stated that the plan for the property was submitted to the Township before the Regional Planning Commission existed. Mrs. Potts stated that the by-right plan did not meet regional planning goals. Mr. Snyder advised that the plan alternative is a better plan although it would require waivers.
Mr. Sartor questioned the comments that were tasked to the Historical Commission and EAC. Mr. Haig of Dorchester Way questioned the rate of stormwater and direction of flow and how it would affect a number of the lots in the Chapeleview Estates development. Mr. Eder of CVE stated that the stormwater management was designed for rate control.
Mr. Snyder stated that there is no question as to the number of lots on the property. He stated that the question is where the bridge will be located to access the homes on the lower portion of the property. If the bridge is moved further to the west it will need to span a wider distance and impact wetlands.
Mr. Reading stated that he appreciated the patience the developer has had with the Township as it has gone through the review process. Mr. Reading stated that the Planning Commission is looking for a letter of recommended approval from the Township Engineer. Mr. Sartor stated that a recommendation for approval was not made in the June 17 review letter and the plans are not in a position to have a recommendation made. Mr. Claffey stated that there is a tremendous amount of information for the Board of Supervisors to review.
Mr. Snyder stated that Pohlig Builders will be before the Board on August 6 and will ask for an extension to September 3. The Planning Commission will hold a meeting on August 20.
American Revolutionary Center (ARC) – Mr. Joe Byron and Ms. Joyce Culley residents of Lower Providence and representatives of Concerned Citizens of Lower Providence Township came before the Planning Commission to discuss the proposed hotel, museum and ARC. Mrs. Culley stated that the original proposal was that ARC was adjacent to the Valley Forge Park’s Welcome Center in Upper Merion Township. The new site for ARC is proposed to be located in Lower Providence off of Pawling Road. Mr. Byron stated that the there would be significant traffic impact on Pawling Road, Route 23 and Trooper Road should the development of ARC be in Lower Providence. Mrs. Culley stated that she and other residents are raising awareness about the scope of the project and its impact on Lower Providence Township. Mr. Morrisson stated that having a hotel/conference center would help the project to be self sustaining. Mrs. Culley asked that the Township consider a resolution that supports the position of the Department of the Interior that ARC should be located on its original site adjacent to Valley Forge Park’s Welcome Center. On motion by Mr. Claffey, seconded by Mrs. Potts and passed the Planning Commission recommended that the Board of Supervisors pass a resolution supporting the Department of Interior’s position.
DEP/Valley Forge Sewer Authority – On-lot Systems - Discussion continued from last month with regard to developing an ordinance that focuses on education and enforcement of on-lot sewage system maintenance. The Planning Commission was not in favor of enforcing a requirement that systems be pumped every three years if a system does not need it due to low usage. Mr. Reading questioned if the three years could be expanded to six years.
There being no further business for discussion, the Planning Commission adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary R. Bird
Township Manager
Next Meeting: August 20, 2008