PALMER TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2005

The regular monthly meeting of the Palmer Township Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Library with all members in attendance except Stoneback. Also present were Planning Director Amanda Jensen, Township Engineer Brian Dillman and Supervisor Liaison Robert Lammi. Mr. Louis Vittorio of ERG was also present. News media was represented by the Express/Times. Chairman Young convened the meeting and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING – Original minutes will be distributed to all members from June. Hold approval until next month.

Young introduced two Boy Scouts that are present tonight, Pat Cartier and Michael Cartier of Troop 347 who are present to observe for a badge for scouts. Young explained what the Commission does in Palmer Township.

VICTORIA SQUARE V – Anthony Street – Developer Nick Pugliese and his engineer Don Frederickson were present with preliminary plans for this latest phase of the Victoria Square development. Young asked if a letter has been received for the formal withdraw of the plan that is on the table for this phase, before any thing could be done with this newly submitted plan. Pugliese noted he would submit the letter tonight but the letter would not include withdraw of the calculations. Jensen and Dillman noted that was okay but they must be re-submitted for this submittal. Applicant agreed to withdraw previous submitted plan of Victoria Square V which was submitted in 2002.

The old plan proposed 44 units. This new one proposed 40 units. Pugliese noted he would like to use approvals previous given for the new submittals such as calculations for the sewer as he has approval from that Board. The new plan proposes a public road from Milford Street to Hobson Street with townhouses. Township engineer’s comments were reviewed. The applicant knows they may have to go to zoning for a variance. The main problem would be parking; vehicles are not allowed to back out onto a public street. There is nothing major for planning items that have to be worked out. The engineers will work together. Applicant stated he would like the thoughts of the Commission and Supervisors on the concept of this phase. Young asked if there were any environmental comments and introduced Mr. Louis Vittorio, the township’s environmentalist who commented that the report did not include this area. Pugliese noted there are monitoring wells in the area as required. Every 6 months for five years they are monitored and provide a report from Hydrocon. Pugliese noted he had a study and report for the complete area. In 1989 there was a phase one and two study done as well as reports. Hydrocon will supply these reports to the township for review by Vittorio.

Off-street parking areas were discussed and it was noted that they are needed within 300 feet of homes. Parallel parking would be okay for this area as well as rear access. Pugliese noted there would be single driveway/single garages in front. This would be a conditional use request. Pugliese noted the one area that is not built now, to the west of this area, will stay the way it is in future, that it is not to be built on. He would like to see the condo owners have authority over this and there would be a note on plan that this area is not to be built on at all. Condo association may want a tot lot. Consensus of the Commission was to keep the curvilinear concept as shown. The mailboxes will be together in two separate locations which will have to be shown on plan. There will not be any dumpsters. It was agreed that all calculations will be submitted including site density calculations. The Commission asked for a connection to the bike path be provided for public access. Applicant agreed. Open space/recreation fees were part of the original submittal. Applicant agreed to pay the voluntary traffic fees. Commission discussed the width of the roadway. Planning Director felt 30 feet was fine as it is a residential district. Vehicles should go slow in the area. Members felt that the 32 feet was also good for emergency vehicles, township maintenance vehicles, etc. If the roadways are wider maybe they could put more trees up, larger ones. Lammi noted he felt the same as Jensen with it being a residential development but asked that she check with the Public Services Director for his feelings for the maintenance of the roadway. Young felt before the next meeting that everyone should go on-site and see the width of the roadways in the previous phases. Departmental comments were reviewed. On motion by Rickert, seconded by Grube, and agreed by all, the Commission voted to table action on this plan.

VILLAGES AT MILL RACE – PHASE IV – Newlins Mill Road at Bushkill Creek – Steve Goffredo and David Chismar with Harte Engineer were in attendance with final plans for Phase IV of the development. Engineer’s comments were reviewed with one planning comment. The major comment was for the recreational area. Goffredo noted the one field is two years of mowing and the other one is just shy of one year. This field is definitely not ready for use, it needs another year. Field was inspected by township officials/engineer inspector. Tot lot is complete with the equipment that is going to be installed by the developer. Young asked if part of the fields could be dedicated and not all of the land and Goffredo had a problem with this for a legal issue. Discussed the ecological filter system. The ecological filter was reviewed and approved by ERG. The Bushkill Streams Conservancy will have some involvement in this and they will be in touch with the developer. Recreation members and residents need and should have access to these fields. Dillman noted he will discuss the inspection of these fields with his field inspector. Discussed the bike trail and Goffredo noted he did his part and the rest is the township responsibility. Young asked when he would like to start construction on this phase. Goffredo noted he would like to start when approval is received. Lammi suggested township officials review the fields to get their opinion of the condition and to remember there is an 18 month maintenance period. Departmental comments reviewed and Shade Tree Commission/Parks Department comments were reviewed. A majority of the existing White Oaks have died off. They will have to be replaced and the Shade Tree Commission felt there should be another species of trees for this area. Goffredo will speak with his landscaper on this problem. On motion by Rickert, seconded by Wilkins, and agreed by all, the Commission voted to table action on this plan until work is done on the recreation area and street trees. Goffredo to discuss the partial dedication with his attorney.

Planning Director comments that Zawarski had been before the Zoning Hearing Board for a variance for his Charlotte Avenue office building. The request was for allowing a business driveway in a residential zone and was approved.

Jensen also spoke on the Supreme Court ruling that economic development is a public use that eminent domain can be used for.

Wilkins asked about the EASD article in the paper this morning regarding township fields. Lammi noted they are looking into it and will inform them on this. Grube asked about the traffic signals on S. 25^th Street at the high school. Lammi noted he heard they had received their HOP and are cleared to start.

Young comment that he feels a road trip workshop to look at what developments are built, what was done, and/or what has to be done is a very good idea and feels this Commission should plan on doing this a couple times a year. Members also feel this is a good idea.

On motion by Rickert, seconded by Wilkins, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Diane Grube, Corr. Sec.