The regular rescheduled meeting of the Middle Smithfield
Township Planning Commission was held at
Members present: Jay Huffman, Dee Rake, Scott Schaller and Mark Oney. Also present were Fred Courtright, Kevin Kochanski, Tim McManus, Sherry Predmore and several interested parties.
Dee Rake made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Mark Oney seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
The Zoning Officer’s report was accepted for review.
Plan Submissions:
Todd Holmes submitted the revised minor subdivision of Lands of Andrew Daros. He explained that it is a one lot subdivision and re-subdivision of an existing lot. Fred Courtright advised that he has reviewed the revised plan and all comments from the previous plan have been addressed. He recommended that the plan should be accepted as a submittal and moved on to the Board of Supervisors. It was noted that the certifications must be signed prior to approval by the Board of Supervisors. Dee Rake made a motion to accept the plan. Mark Oney seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
Dee Rake made a motion to recommend approval of the minor subdivision plan for Lands of Andrew Daros subject to completion of certifications prior to going to the Board of Supervisors. Mark Oney seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
A letter was received requesting to table action on the re-submittal of the Evergreen Estates 2 plan. Scott Schaller made a motion to table action on the plan as requested. Dee Rake seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
Frank Smith presented a minor subdivision plan on behalf of
the Hopkins Family Trust. He explained
that the plan is a lot line adjustment for lots off
Plan reviews:
Doug Olmsted and Ralph Matergia presented the major subdivision plan for Hidden Oaks. Revised plans were submitted in February however the plan was tabled to allow the developer to address issues with wastewater treatment. The agreement with PA American Water was explained along with the process and results of Saw Creek studies relating to sewage flow. Mr. Olmsted explained the calculated reduction in GPD requested for the 93 lots that are now down to 150 GPD. By revising the 537 Plan they have found the EDU’s and satisfied the Engineers proving that the flow does exist to serve Hidden Oaks.
Mr. Olmsted requested a recommendation from the Planning Commission to agree with the analysis and forward the planning module to the Board of Supervisors. Fred Courtright advised that he was comfortable with the 150 gpd to show the available capacity and recommended that the module should go to the Board of Supervisors to be forwarded to DEP for their analysis. Scott Schaller made a motion to accept the calculations and forward the Planning Module to the Supervisors. Mark Oney seconded the motion. Three members voted in favor. Dee Rake abstained as he does work for the company.
Mr. Olmsted also requested conditional approval of preliminary
plan subject to the Planning module, NPDES and any other permits for wetlands
crossing and PA PUC approval for water and sewer. Fred Courtright stated that he had concerns
with technical issues that need to be taken care of, namely the PA American
letter and a request for
Fred Courtright also noted that the information presented tonight satisfies part of the concerns, however it does not show that developer has the EDU’s and proof of ownership is needed for sewage capacity. The developer needs to deal with PA American on how they would acquire the EDU’s.
Following discussion, Jay Huffman made a motion to recommend conditional approval of the Hidden Oaks plan subject to resolving the issue with fire hydrants, acquisition of sewer EDU’s, outside agency approvals and any remaining Engineering issues. Scott Schaller seconded the motion. The motion carried with three votes in favor, Mr. Rake abstained as he does work for the developer.
The proposed Stormwater Ordinance was discussed at
length. It was noted that a new draft has
been prepared as a result of comments from the County Planning Commission being
addressed. A summary of the revisions
was attached. There was general
discussion on various sections of the ordinance with particular attention to
the buffers and proposed maintenance fund for periodic inspections by the
township. The public hearing on the
ordinance is scheduled for
Jay Huffman made a motion to recommend approval of Ordinance 156, the Stormwater Ordinance. Dee Rake seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
Tabled plans: remained tabled. Fred Courtright reported that he did receive revised plans on the Squires and Spano subdivision in the last week and he will have his review for the next meeting.
Dee Rake made a motion to continue holding regular meetings
in 2008 on the third (3rd) Thursday of the month at
Notice of the annual PSATS convention was received. Members wishing to attend the conference should let the Township Secretary know by early January.
Kevin’s Kochanski’s proposal for reports and agenda preparation was discussed. It was the consensus that the Commission request that the Board of Supervisors consider the proposal.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned in
regular order at
Respectfully submitted,
Sherry Predmore, Recording Secretary