PALMER TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

FEBRUARY 8, 2005

The regular monthly meeting of the Palmer Township Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. with all members in attendance. Also present were Planning Director Amanda Jensen, Solicitor Charles Bruno and Engineer Brian Dillman. Chairman Young opened the meeting by leading those present in the Pledge to the Flag after which minutes of the previous meeting were approved on motion by Grandinetti, seconded by Stoneback, and agreed by six, Grube abstaining as he was not at the last meeting.

Young called for the first item –

EASTON SELF STORAGE - Engineer Don Frederickson was present representing his client Mr. Marron who was out of town and unable to attend tonight. Young asked Frederickson if he had seen the engineer’s comments and was told yes and he was satisfied. The two engineers had met and worked out most of the problems. The storm water comments were satisfactory also. At this time Young noted that he would like from the engineer/applicant the parking area showing the actual spaces. It is noted on the plan that there are approximately 50 spaces in this area, but there are no actual spaces on the plan. Jensen noted that she had visited the site today and the striping of the spaces has worn off and not visible. Frederickson argued that there are only about 6 cars that park there as business has dropped off considerable. Jensen noted there was approximately 15 cars there all parked hap hazardously. Young noted at one time there were other businesses in this building and he feels parking spaces should be shown as well as the tenants that are in the original building. Frederickson argued this also stating that this was an already existing building and this plan was just for the new section to the back of the building. Young noted it was one complete tract; one site and he wants it noted what businesses are in this building and if there is ample parking spaces for the uses. Frederickson noted the Magnetic Windings is in the front of the building and the archives storage center is to the rear of the building. The new section will be normal, ordinary storage units.

Young noted that the applicant had appeared before the Board of Supervisors asking them to vacate their right-of-way and that the Board felt this was a logical request as there was no need for it for the township. Young felt that since they would be obtaining this right-of-way that there should be buffering along this property as there is the residential area directly across Hobson Street from this building. Young also felt the buffering should be a berm; landscaping such as trees and that the color of the building should be muted earth tones to respect the area residents. Frederickson noted the Shade Tree Commission has given them examples of trees they should consider. Rizzolino felt the trees should go all along the west edge of the property, the Commission agreed. The Commission feels if the applicant only landscapes in front of the new section it will look cut up, with the trees stopping half way down the roadway. The tree buffer should continue to Freemansburg Avenue. Frederickson noted there will be a 6’ chain link fence around the new storage units and Young asked that the lighting be directed into the storage units not towards the homes. Frederickson noted there will not be night time business and if someone needed to get into their area they would have to call for an appointment. The security lighting will be wall mounts and not directed to the residential area. Frederickson noted he will take these comments back to his client and his client’s attorney. On motion by Grube, seconded by Wilkins, and agreed by all, the Commission voted to table action on this plan. Bruno stated an extension of time will be provided by the applicant and have the conditional use run with the land development.

BRUCE LOCH – Gruver Avenue – Mr. Loch was present to review the township engineering comments which are to be forwarded to the Zoning Hearing Board as per their request. He had to appear before the Zoning Hearing Board for special exception and the Board requested that the township engineer review the plan for the storm water impacts of this development. Loch explained what he wanted to do and noted that when the home was built, if allowed, that all disturbed land will be reseeded or sod put in place to get it back to the condition it was in. Everyone thought this was a great idea and Rizzolino noted the sod should also be stabilized on the slope areas. The engineer’s comments were reviewed. Loch did not have a problem with these comments and noted that the level spreader area has been eliminated. He also stated that the driveway meets the slope requirements and that a profile will be submitted for approval. Dillman noted there should be a standard driveway apron which will keep the water runoff into the roadway and not run through the property. Dillman also suggested keeping the end of the driveway flat to disperse the runoff. As there were no further comments or questions on this Chairman Young called for a motion. On motion by Wilkins, seconded by Grube, and agreed by four, Stoneback, Rickert and Grandinetti, voting no, the Commission authorized the planning director to write a letter to the Zoning Hearing Board forwarding comments made in regards to Mr. Loch’s site plan including engineer’s comments dated February 4, 2005 and noting that items #2 and 4 are to changed as proposed.

PALMER SUPER CENTER – Nicholas Street – Mr. Ken Trionfo and Daniel Ebner along with engineer Mike Russek were present with a sketch plan for a new concept of retail stores being built in the existing parking lot area on the east side of the Redner’s store, off of Nicholas Street/Filbar Street. There will be approximately 14 to 16 specialty stores. The parking calculations must be figured and the parking on the Stones Crossing side must be figured out. The applicant encourages the pedestrian traffic as well as vehicular traffic. There will be restrictions on the vehicle speed throughout this area. They would like to get an access to the bike path which would encourage more pedestrian traffic. There will be two buildings fronting both Nicholas Street and the on-site through street. These buildings will have front facades facing both streets. Representatives of the Redner’s Market have been notified and they are very happy with this proposed plan. The consensus of the Commission was that they feel it is a great idea and concept for this area and this is what the township needs, pedestrian stores; smaller specialty stores. Young noted the truck traffic that goes to the rear of Redner’s and he was told they will still be able to do their deliveries but that the deliveries for these stores will be smaller trucks and will just park, unload and leave right away. Engineer’s comments were reviewed and the Commission thanked the gentlemen for appearing tonight and look forward to working with them in the future.

STOWAWAY SELF STORAGE – There were no representatives for this application present. Jensen spoke to the Commission on what the request is. The storage unit owner wants to increase the units by constructing more to the north of the existing units off of Corriere Road. The applicant is aware that they need zoning approval to get a variance for the setback requirement. The Commission feels should the applicant get relief from the required 150’ setback there should be excess buffering other than what is required that there should be landscaping as well as a berm. On motion by Young, seconded by Wilkins, and agreed by all, the Commission authorized the planning director to write a letter to the Zoning Hearing Board on behalf of the Planning Commission stating their comments in regards to the buffering to the of the westerly boundary of the property.

PUBLIC COMMENT – None

There was discussion with the Commission, Solicitor, Engineer and Planning Director on procedures, review process, who is responsible for what as far as the ordinance is concerned, process of inspections, and who does inspections on new developments and that complete process.

Young asked the Commission if they would like to get paid monthly, quarterly, yearly. Commission agreed to quarterly.

On motion by Stoneback, seconded by Grube, and agreed by all, the Commission adjourned the meeting at 9:30 p.m.

Diane Grube, Corr. Sec.