The regular meeting of the Middle Smithfield Township Planning Commission was held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, 2008 at the Schoonover Municipal Center. Jay E. Huffman presided.

Members present: Jay E. Huffman, Scott R. Schaller, Mark W. Oney, William A. (Dee) Rake, Robert Vandercar and Robert Early. Also present were Timothy McManus, Kevin Kochanski, R. Douglas Olmstead, Sherry Predmore and several interested parties.

Minutes of the previous meeting held March 20, 2008 were approved upon a motion by Bob Vandercar, second by Mark Oney. The motion carried 6-0.

The Zoning Officers’ report was accepted as presented.

Plan submissions:

Frank Smith presented a minor subdivision plan on behalf of the Cradle of Liberty Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He explained that the three (3) parcels are to be conveyed to the township. The parcels lay outside of the protection area development rights purchased by the Natural Lands Trust. Dee Rake made a motion to accept the plan. Scott Schaller seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.

The lot consolidation plan for Marshall Square was discussed. It was determined that the plan needs to go through the process. Dee Rake made a motion to accept the plan. Bob Vandercar seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.

Requests from the Zoning Officers:

Wayne Rohner advised that he has received an application to reopen conditional use for Timothy Lake South requesting to eliminate the 14 day time limitation. There was general discussion and it was the consensus that the 14 day limitation was a company policy as the Ordinance limits a stay to 6 months maximum. Mr. Rohner will notify the applicant of the ordinance provisions and suggest that they withdraw their application. No action was required by the Planning Commission at this time.

Plan Reviews:

Frank Smith presented the Land Development plan for James LaBar. Following discussion, Bob Early made a motion to recommend conditional approval of the plan subject to comment #2 regarding the driveway being addressed, approval of requested modifications and approval of the planning module. Dee Rake seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.

A letter was received requesting that the ESSA Bank’s land development plan be tabled to allow time to address comments. Dee Rake made a motion to table action on the plan as requested. Mark Oney seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.

Proposed Ordinance 160 for the sale of sewer connections was discussed at length. Doug Olmstead expressed his concerns with the ordinance stating that there are serious problems with possible loss of capacity contained in the Ordinance. Bob Vandercar made a motion to recommend that the Supervisors table enactment of the ordinance for further study. Mark Oney seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.

Charlie Vogt advised that the Hemlock Ridge developer is still working on Stormwater issues advising that they may be in next month. He requested that the plan remain tabled.

Sketch plans:

Charlie Vogt and Brick Lindner presented a sketch plan for the Coppola property on Coolbaugh Road. They explained that they have modified the previous sketch plan. It was noted that they have looked at a variety of designs and each variation was described. Allen Road was discussed as it relates to the plan. The density for senior housing was discussed as was the water supply and sewage disposal. There was also discussion relating to requirements in the ordinance for mid-rise design and the minimum requirement for 30 acres for this type of design. There is just less than 20 acres in their project. They asked whether an ordinance amendment could be considered to allow smaller projects to be designed if they would fit. No action was taken on the plan or request for ordinance amendments however the positives of the various designs were discussed at length.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned in regular order at 9:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sherry Predmore, Recording Secretary

April 17, 2008