The regular meeting of the Middle Smithfield Township Planning Commission was held at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, February 21, 2008 at the Schoonover Municipal Center.

 

Members present:  Jay Huffman, Mark Oney, Scott Schaller, William (Dee) Rake and Robert Early.  Also present were Kevin Kochanski, Fred I Courtright, Attorney Debbie Huffman and several interested parties.  Member Perin Shah arrived at 7:35 p.m.

 

Minutes of the previous meeting were approved upon a motion by Bob Early, second by Scott Schaller.  The motion carried 5-0. 

 

The Zoning Officers’ reports were accepted as presented upon a motion by Dee Rake, second by Mark Oney. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Plan submissions:

 

Phil Siebert presented the 4-step sketch plan for Evergreen Estates II.  The plan should be accepted as a new submittal as a letter was received from the developer withdrawing the previously submitted preliminary major subdivision plan.  Mr. Siebert summarized the concept advising that the development is located on a 90.78 acre tract in the LDR zoning district.  They are proposing a conservation subdivision.  He described the site analysis and mapping of conservation priorities noting that this plan supersedes any previously submitted plan.   Each step of the 4-step process was discussed.  Mr. Siebert described the site and advised that the adjusted tract is 83.378 acres and a maximum of 83 lots would be possible.  The potential development areas of the site were described and it was noted that there would be three access points.  Jay Huffman questioned site distance problems noted at the site visit.   Fred Courtright explained the conditions and what could be done to correct the problems.

 

Mr. Siebert described the home locations noting that they are currently planned at 55.  He described the circulation pattern and advised that the lots would have a minimum width of 125 feet and would be a minimum of ½ acre with on lot well and septic systems.  Alternate septic systems would be located in the open space area. It was noted that some of the lots have been tested for sewage, however not all of the sites have been tested.

 

Mr. Siebert described the layout plan for open space indicating that there would be a system of pedestrian paths for circulation on the site.   He described the storm water detention system and advised that the gross open space is 43.25 acres and when adjustments are applied there remains 36.38 acres net which meets the requirements of the ordinance.

 

The length of the cul-de-sac would be 1850 feet.  The maximum allowed by the ordinance is 1600 feet.  To shorten the cul-de-sac would need to realign the road network and the design would affect the lot layout.   They will ask for a waiver for the length of the cul-de-sac.

 

Dee Rake made a motion to accept the submittal of the sketch plan. Scott Schaller seconded the motion.   The motion carried 6-0.  The applicant has requested written review from the Engineer and Planner.

 

 

Frank Smith presented a land development plan for James LaBar.  The 169 acre parcel is located on Brushy Mountain Road. Mr. LaBar is planning to build an additional home on the property.  Land Development approval is required for more than one dwelling without subdividing. Mr. Smith advised that John Shoemaker has granted the right to use his driveway for access.  Since the disturbance is less than 5000 sq ft, they don’t feel they need a storm water management plan.  There are no plans for the existing farm house.  Bob Early made a motion to accept the submittal. Mark Oney seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

 

John Provaznik and Alan Glynn presented a conditional use application for the relocation of a sign located on the property that Mr. Glynn purchased formerly known as the Polozzotto property. The sign is being moved as a result of the Penn DOT bypass project and will shift approximately 80 ft to the north on the same parallel.  Jay Huffman questioned who is responsible for maintenance of the sign as the existing sign is in a state of disrepair.   It was noted that the property owner would be responsible.  It was noted that the relocated sign would be a new sign, the same size as the existing sign.  The school bus shelter has been removed. Scott Schaller made a motion to recommend approval of the relocation noting that the applicant agreed to move the sign within 6 months of approval along with removal of the existing sign. Dee Rake seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

 

Attorney Joe McDonald and Zechari Strauser presented a request to rezone the parcel owned by Mr. Strauser on Frutchey Road opposite Hillside Inn.  The request is to change the zoning from Conservation Residential (CR) to Commercial (C). They expressed the reasoning behind the application noting that the change is a logical expansion of the Commercial District.  Dee Rake made a motion to recommend approval of the requested change.  Parin Shah seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

 

A conditional use application for William and Sandra Uhrig and Margaret Place was presented by Attorney Ed Krawitz.  The request was to change the zoning for their properties on Lakeside Drive from Low Density Residential (LDR) to Commercial (C). While reviewing the application it was noted that the change would be creating an island of the LaPorta property. Kevin Kochanski suggested that the Planning Commission could request that the Board of Supervisors consider changing all of the properties in the area.   Fred Courtright advised that the map should be revised to show all of the zoning lines as well as current adjacent property owners. Dee Rake expressed his opinion that the entire area should become Commercial.   Dee Rake made a motion to recommend approval of changing the area to Commercial with a new map showing current adjoining property owners. Scott Schaller seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

 

It was noted that the hearing for the zoning changes have been scheduled for March 13, 2008 therefore the changes need to be sent to Jennifer Wise to prepare the ordinances.

 

Fred Courtright advised that his comments on the minor subdivision of the Josephine Squires Estate have been addressed and recommended that the Planning Commission pass the plan on to the Board of Supervisors. Bob Early made a motion to recommend approval of the Josephine Squire Estate minor subdivision upon verification that Tim McManus’s comments have been addressed.  Mark Oney seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

 

Fred Courtright recommended that the Hemlock Ridge plan remain tabled as they are still working with Conservation District. Mark Oney made a motion to continue to table the Hemlock Ridge subdivision plan.  Dee Rake seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

 

The Evergreen II preliminary plan was withdrawn by the owner therefore no action was required by the Planning Commission

 

The proposed TND ordinance was received.  No action was required at this meeting as the public hearing is not scheduled until May.  The Commission was asked to review the ordinance for discussion at the March meeting.

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned in regular order at 8:25 p.m.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                            Sherry Predmore, Recording Secretary

                                                            February 21, 2008