PALMER TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

January 11, 2005

The reorganization meeting of the Palmer Township Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. All members were in attendance except Grube and Rizzolino. Also in attendance were Planning Director Amanda Jensen, Engineer Brian Dillman, Solicitor Charles Bruno and Supervisor Liaison Robert Lammi. Supervisor Smith was also in attendance. Chairman Young convened the meeting by leading those present in the Pledge to the Flag. Chairman Young then turned the meeting over to Temporary Chairman Lammi who called for nominations for Chairman.

On motion by Rickert, seconded by Grandinetti, Jeffrey A. Young was nominated for Chairman. Lammi called for a vote and it was agreed by four, Young abstaining, that nominations were closed and Jeffrey A. Young was declared Chairman for 2005.

Lammi then turned the meeting over to newly appointed Chairman Young who called for nominations for Vice Chairman. On motion by Young, seconded by Grandinetti, Thomas E. Grube was nominated for Vice Chairman. Young called for a vote and it was agreed by all, that nominations were closed and Thomas E. Grube was declared Vice Chairman for 2005.

Young then called for nominations for Secretary. On motion by Grandinetti, seconded by Young, Jo-Ann Stoneback was nominated for Secretary. Young called for a vote and it was agreed by all, that nominations were closed and Jo-Ann Stoneback was declared Secretary for 2005.

Young then called for the approved of the minutes of the December meeting. On motion by Stoneback, seconded by Wilkins, and agreed by all, the minutes were approved as written.

MELHEM – Williamson/S. 25^th Streets – Land Development Plan – Attorney Dan Cohen was present representing the Melhem’s and asked that this plan be tabled tonight as they were looking into another type of development on their property. They will submit any plans/correspondence for the next meeting. On motion by Rickert, seconded by Grandinetti, and agreed by all, the plan for Melhem was tabled as requested by the applicant’s attorney.

ESTATES OF KNOB HILL – Attorney Bruno stated the attorney for the applicant asked that the plan be taken off the agenda for tonight’s meeting and submitted an extension of time until February 28, 2005.

ESTATES OF NORTHWOOD - Northwood Avenue – Developer Nick Pugliese and his engineer Don Frederickson were present with plans for a subdivision off of Northwood Avenue consisting of a 17 lot single family development. This development has 15 newly developed lots with 2 existing dwellings on two other lots. The major discussion centered on the extent of the storm sewer design regarding tributary areas and capacities. Frederickson noted they were before the Board of Supervisors to discuss this issue as well as asking for some help in obtaining some easements in the area. As far as the storm water issue, Supervisor Lammi spoke that the Board of Supervisors feels this is needed and has agreed to pay a portion of the price for this system to be installed. This is something that will have to be worked out with the Board as to how much each will have to pay. Engineer Brian Dillman and Don Frederickson discussed the past proposals and the difference in the systems that were designed by Frederickson. It was determined after a very lengthy discussion that the two engineers are to get together and decide exactly what type of system is to be constructed for this area. The design will have to be approved by the Board of Supervisors as well as the cost and then it will be determined who will pay for what. The township engineer’s comments were reviewed and Frederickson did not have a problem with them. A recreation fee will be paid in lieu of land. Young questioned the voluntary traffic fee and Frederickson stated with the cost of the storm water project this may be questionable. Young thought this was agreed to in the past. Frederickson will send a written request for any waivers/deferrals they are requesting and the reasoning for same. Pugliese noted he will be installing curbing/sidewalk on Northwood Avenue to the west. He feels this is where children will walk to get the school bus. He will request a deferral for sidewalk to the east. Jensen brought to the attention of everyone the police department comments. They are very concerned with traffic exiting the development and turning left. The traffic traveling west on Northwood Avenue come over a hump in the road and will not see the traffic exiting this development. This is a very dangerous situation. Pugliese noted he will be cutting down the hump in the roadway and also feels it is a dangerous area and will do what he can. Jensen also discussed her comments in regards to the trees. Every effort should be made to try to save the one tree between lots 2 and 3 and the applicant and his engineer both felt this tree could be saved as well as any others on the properties that can be. The fire department requested a hydrant on the southwest corner of the property and it was agreed by the fire administrator that the southeast corner was okay.

On motion by Wilkins, seconded by Stoneback, and agreed by four, Young voting no, the Commission voted to recommend approval for Northwood Estates by the Board of Supervisors conditioned that all township engineer comments are complied with; the two engineers meet and workout the storm water system to the approval of the township engineer and Board of Supervisors as well as the cost; the applicant’s engineer is to send a written letter of request for waivers/deferrals with the reasoning for the request; the deferral for sidewalk will be for only the east side of Northwood Avenue as the developer agreed to install sidewalk to the west along Northwood Avenue; recreation fees are paid; and all township departmental comments are also complied with.

LERTA – Strausser – Solicitor Bruno and Supervisor Lammi discussed this with the Commission informing them that the Board of Supervisors has agreed to allow Strausser to apply for the LERTA tax break on improvements for his property at GJ Mills that is located in Palmer Township. The Supervisors conditioned this approval on the Planning Commission giving their recommendation of the concept. The building has not been started as of yet and this is the time for them to apply for it. On motion by Young, seconded by Wilkins, and agreed by four, Stoneback voting no, the Commission recommend to the Board of Supervisors approval of this request.

Chairman Young then discussed with the Commission the process of sending plans onto the Board of Supervisors for approval. He feels the plans need to be cleaner than what is being sent stating this plan tonight was a good example. He felt it should have been completed further before the plan got in front of the Supervisors. There was discussion on this and the reasoning from some Commission members was that the storm water system will have to be approved by the township engineer before it can go before the Supervisors so there should not be this lengthy discussion as tonight. Lammi, Jensen and the Commission then discussed new procedures and ideas for the coming new year. Jensen informed the Commission that she imposed a new submittal procedure noting she will be reviewing any submittals that come in before accepting them and letters were sent out to area engineering firms informing them of these new rules.

On motion by Wilkins, seconded by Rickert, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Diane Grube, Corr. Sec.