The Schuylkill Township Planning Commission held their regular meeting on Wednesday, September 17, 2008, at the Township Hall. Members of the Planning Commission present were Mr. Dan Keogh, Mr. Morris Quigg, Mr. Jim Reading, Mr. Jack Claffey and Ms. Jan Potts. John Sartor and Mary Lou Lowrie of Gilmore & Associates were present as well as Township Manager Mary Bird and Township Solicitor William Brennan. Supervisors Jim Morrisson and Lee Ledbetter were in the audience.
On motion made by Mr. Jack Claffey seconded by Mr. Morris Quigg and passed, the Planning Commission approved the minutes of the August 19, 2008 meeting.
Reeves Property – Todd Pohlig presented sketch plans for a second access to his proposed development using an extension off of East Philip Drive (EPD) to connect to Eaglepoint Road. The connection would be approximately 200 feet and would curve to keep in line with lot lines and to go through the 50 foot right of way. The second access stays on the newly acquired Pohlig property. Pohlig Builders purchased the property at the end of the cul-de-sac on E. Philip Drive, the former Mooney property. Todd Pohlig advised they will give up rights to easement/right of way so it won’t affect the Gerstenberger property at the end of EPD, across from the second access. The plan for the second access does meet township setbacks. Mr. Pohlig feels that this will alleviate some of the developments traffic on Route 23. Mr. Pohlig was concerned about potential “cut thru traffic” that will disrupt the existing homes on E. Philips Drive as well as his community. He stated he will work with the Township in developing traffic mitigating devices. John Wichner of Traffic Planning & Design, presented a traffic study he prepared at the request of Pohlig Builders. According to his study, during peak morning hours the development will create 14 right turns out onto Route 23 and 18 left turns onto Route 23. With the second access off of East Philips Drive, this would eliminate 10 of those 18 left turns. During peak evening hours there is estimated to be 16 left turns into the development and 19 right turns in. John Wichner also stated they estimate 43 total trips during am peak hours, 32 exiting and 11 entering. Mr. Claffey asked about prohibiting left turns during peak hours. Dan Keogh questioned John Wichner on how did they come up with those numbers, as they seem extremely low for a development with 51 homes. John Wichner stated that these studies are based on 40 years of studies and traffic planning and that an average single family unit generates approximately 10 trips per day (24hr time period). John Meaney of East Philip Drive questioned why they are now considering the EPD access a main access and not emergency only, as it had been in the original presented plans. Mr. Claffey responded that Pohlig has recently acquired connecting property and now they can use that as an access. Mr. Claffey also advised that Chester County had recommended two points of access to a development of that size. Ms. Potts questioned the back up of traffic already on Whitehorse Road during peak hours. EPD resident stated that it’s bumper to bumper from Rt 23/Whitehorse all the way to EPD some mornings. He’s concerned about the cut thru traffic, and the line of sight when pulling out of EPD onto Whitehorse. He feels it’s already unsafe because of the slight crest in Whitehorse Road to the left of EPD, and with the additional traffic could create more accidents. Mr. Claffey asked Mr. Wichner and Mr. Pohlig to come up with traffic mitigating devices, such as installed barriers, medians, speed humps, etc, to discourage cut thru traffic on EPD. Mr. Pohlig stated he is all for doing everything he can to reduce cut thru traffic and will look into many different options. Mr. Pohlig suggested leaving the cul-de-sac but putting in an island in the middle to further slow traffic and control lanes/flow of traffic. Mr. Sartor stated that the Township Road Crew and Fire Department will not like speed humps. Mr. Pohlig stated they will come back with horizontal and other options.
On motion made by Jack Claffey, seconded by Dan Keogh, and approved by all, the Planning Commission concurs with Pohlig Builders to consider the second access on East Philips Drive to the proposed development to alleviate traffic and concerns of citizen safety. The second access will have traffic calming measures and matching cartway width of EPD to 28”. Pohlig will need a waiver to make the cartway width of EPD 28”.
Mr. Claffey and Mr. Reading questioned Mr. Ledbetter as to what the Supervisors overall opinion on EPD access was. Mr. Ledbetter stated that the Supervisors generally had a positive take on the EPD access.
Mr. Pohlig advised that they are still going through the HOP process with Penndot, multiple review letters and revisions. Mr. Pohlig advised it is not a requirement to provide HOP for EPD access because it’s not a state road. Mr. Pohlig requested to submit plans concurrently to Gilmore and Penndot (instead of Gilmore first) to save time. John Sartor stated that was fine.
A Dorchester Way resident asked Pohlig Builders and/or Township to consider putting in flashing lights and a crosswalk at Route 23 and Moorehall. The resident presented a photograph of an intersection that had the type of crosswalk/lights he felt would meet the needs at Route 23 and Moorehall. John Wichner stated that TPD designed that intersection and that it was in an age restricted community in U. Providence Township that was on both sides of the road. Todd Pohlig said they would look into the possibility of a crosswalk, however everything must go through Penndot. An East Philip Drive resident then questioned the Planning Commission what their stand was on the second access, does the Township have the right to say no to another road? Mr. Reading responded that it is good planning, but is ultimately up to the Board of Supervisors to approve.
John Sartor asked when Pohlig was going to resubmit plans including the second access, and also noted there still are SWM (infiltration) issues still outstanding. Mr. Snyder said they’d provide subdivision plans for the newly acquired Mooney property. Lee Ledbetter asked Mr. John Snyder to provide the Township Solicitor with a letter of their intentions for submitting the plan with a stub (Mooney subdivision plan). Bill Brennan, Twp Solicitor, wants Mr. Snyder to provide a “to the point black and white letter” for the Board of Supervisors as to what exactly they are voting on and present their plan to the Planning Commission for them to vote on.
Bill Brennan and John Snyder again discussed the cartway width. Plans to vote on will show 32” cartways with a request for waiver to allow 28”, which was recommended by the Planning Commission. They will approve the plan as is, then the final plan will show 28” cartways.
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 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kimberly Yocom
Township Clerk
Next Meeting Wednesday October 15, 2008