PALMER TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

AUGUST 9, 2005

 

      The regular monthly meeting of the Palmer Township Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room with all members in attendance.  Also present were Planning Director Amanda Jensen, Engineer Ron Gaulik, Solicitor Charles Bruno and Supervisor Liaison Robert Lammi.  Chairman Young convened the meeting by leading those present in the Pledge to the Flag.

 

      MINUTES OF JUNE MEETING – On motion by Grube, seconded by Stoneback, and agreed by all, the minutes of the June meeting were approved as written.

 

      MINUTES OF JULY MEETING – Young felt there should be two changes.  Under Victoria Square V there is a statement “there is nothing major for planning items that have to be worked out”.  He felt this line should be eliminated as further in the meeting they discuss major planning items.  Also, on page 2 he feels “applicant stated” should be added to the line “open space/recreation fees were part of the original submittal.”  Commission members agreed with these changes.  On motion by Grandinetti, seconded by Rickert, and agreed by all, the minutes of July were approved after the changes were made.

 

      VILLAGES AT MILL RACE – PHASE IV – Newlins Mill Road at Bushkill Creek – Steve Goffredo/David Chismar of Harte Engineering were present with plans for the next phase for the development.  Goffredo noted he was looking to dedicate recreation area early next year.  Young noted that one of the fields is ready, not both.  Goffredo noted it needs another year of growth.   Bruno noted if the township needed the one field, it’s not normal to dedicate a partial area, so we would need information/description of area.  The other lot will not be available and the developer noted he will have a liability problem with residents using the field that is not complete and still his property.  Young asked if the grading was ready for the bike trail.  He did not feel it was graded properly.  Goffredo noted they are done with their obligation for grading and the remaining work will be the township’s responsibility.  The work that Young is talking about has been done since he looked at it.  Township officials were to look at this area and report back on the condition.  The ecological filter is approved but not installed.  Goffredo stated the area won’t be ready for installation until next spring.  Again there was further discussion on having the completed field turned over to the township but noted there would be problems with trying to keep the public off the unfinished field.  Goffredo noted liability wise it is not feasible.  They will not be able to police the fields.  Young questioned the deadlines for the previous phases.  These are to be checked on since the fields were to be completed by the end of Phase 2.  Wilkins feels the fields should not be accepted until they are completed, fully matured.  Bruno recommends the township not accept any portion of the fields until completed the phases are completed.  Fields are to be dedicated when Phase 2 is also turned over.   Rickert noted that the fields have to be seasoned.  Goffredo noted that Phase 2 should be

 

completed by mid September, that there are minor items on the punch list.   He is hopeful that the paving will be completed by the end of August.  Commission again felt that some Township officials should inspect and inform the Commission on the condition of the area.   The deadlines for the phases are to be checked since that is when the fields are to be done.    Grandinetti asked how soon the residents would be able to use the fields, when would they be completed and Goffredo noted spring.  Goffredo asked that the field status not be a part of the approval of Phase 4 that they are not included in that Phase.  Young noted he felt that approval of Phase 4 not be done until the recreation area is complete.  He feels this has been too long.  Rickert asked how can we hold up Phase 4 approval if the recreation area is in Phase 2.  Bruno is going to check in the tentative approval agreement to see what exactly is in it for the approvals of the phases.  On motion by Rickert, seconded by Grandinetti, and agreed by six, Young voting no, the Commission voted to recommend approval to the Board of Supervisors for the final plan of Villages at Mill Race Phase 4 conditioned that comments of the township engineer’s letter dated August 4th and all departmental comments are satisfied.

 

 

RIZZOLINO REZONING REQUEST – Joseph Rizzolino, owner along with his attorney Louis Minotti were present requesting rezoning for the property located at 2250 Corriere Road.  A letter requesting the rezoning was sent to the Board of Supervisors in December of 2004.   The request is for the existing MDR to be changed to PI/C.  This property is located on the south side of Corriere Road.   The Board of Supervisors approved to entertain this request and forwarded it to the Planning Commission for recommendation.  Rizzolino explained the intent was for expanding the current business.  It is an extension of the existing zoning in the area.  Discussion centered on future effects to adjacent properties, such as the Brown Lynch Post #9.  If in the future they would sell their property for a residential area, set back for residential is 150’ set back.  The property is about 219 feet wide.   Commission asked if there was a way that they could have the benefits of the old zoning, not the newly zoned district.   On motion by Rickert, seconded by Grube, and agreed by five, Rizzolino abstaining and Wilkins voting no, the Commission voted to recommend approval of the requested rezoning from MDR to PI/C with grandfather clause for the set back for adjoining property, if they would so choose to change zoning in the future.

 

PLANNING DIRECTOR –

 

Jensen noted that Berardunicci appeared before the Zoning Hearing Board and was denied their requests.  They officially withdrew their plan before this Commission.   

 

Schafer’s place requested to be taken off tonight’s agenda but they do want to be on September’s agenda.

 

Jensen received a call from Nick Pugliese asking what the Commission’s feelings were on the street width for Victoria Square V.  She told him she thought this was going to be discussed when they re-appear before this Commission.

 

Trying to get together a Saturday trip around township to look at different developments.  Members to check their calendars for a day in September or October.   

 

      MEMBERS –

 

Wilkins asked when Crest Blvd. was going to be opened at Tatamy Road.  Jensen will check to see which phase it is incorporated in and also the status of Penn Dot approval.

 

Grube asked when the school district was planning on starting the 25th St. traffic signal since school opens in a few weeks.  Jensen thought they would start in a few weeks; they had ordering problems with their materials.

 

      On motion by Stoneback, seconded by Grandinetti, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

 

                                                                                          Diane Grube, Corr. Sec.