PALMER TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2005

The regular meeting of the Palmer Township Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Palmer Library Building. All members were in attendance except Young. Also present were Planning Director Amanda Jensen, Engineer Brian Dillman, Solicitor Charles Bruno and Supervisor/Liaison Robert Lammi. Vice Chairman Grube convened the meeting by leading those present in the Pledge to the Flag.

PREVIOUS MINUTES – On motion by Grandinetti, seconded by Rickert, and agreed by four, Grube and Stoneback abstaining, the minutes of April were approved as written.

HIGHLANDS AT GLENMOOR – Corriere Road – Lou Roche, Engineer for applicant and Tim McCarthy from Traditions of America were present with a request to change the orientation of nine units which were previously approved. Some units in the proposal will not meet the driveway setback requirements from the nearest intersection. They are asking for a waiver of the zoning ordinance that references this issue. Roche noted this is a private age-restricted community with private roadways. There is no public through streets within the community and the traffic volume is low. They also feel this proposed change will make the mix of homes with side entry garages more aesthetically pleasing for the development. There are nine lots that would be affected. The requirement is 75 feet from an intersection. Engineer and Solicitor do not feel the request is a problem. Commission members feel this new look will definitely make the neighborhood more pleasing. On motion by Rickert, seconded by Stoneback, and agreed by all, the Commission voted to recommend approval of the orientation of nine units and the waiver request for section 165-67(b) to permit a single family detached driveway to be closer that the required 75 feet from a street intersection. This would be for units #244, 230, 229, 237, 219, 207, 197, 132 and 52.

Two Rivers Area Greenway Plan – Jensen gave a highlight of the proposed plan. There was a short presentation held on May 2 and there were representatives of each Board – Palmer Board of Supervisors, Recreation Board and Planning Commission. Grube thought it was a great presentation and very informative. Plan and maps were also very informative and there was a lot of history in the plan. All municipalities are involved that are within the watershed. Feels the township should adopt this plan. LVPC is preparing a Lehigh Valley greenway plan but will incorporate the Two Rivers plan. There will not be any need for any changes in our ordinances. On motion by Rickert, seconded by Grandinetti, and agreed by all, the Commission voted to recommend adoption of the Two Rivers Greenway Plan to the Board of Supervisors.

Planning process discussion – Jensen gave a highlight of meetings that were held on the planning process and what was proposed to be done in the future. Jensen noted that she had met with the Bethlehem Township planning Director Howard Kutzler and reviewed the process that they use. Dillman noted he has been on the “other side of the table” with Bethlehem Township and he reviewed the process from that perspective. The proposed procedure is to have only planning issues reviewed by the planners, not any engineering/technical issues. Board members questioned Dillman on the procedure that he has gone through with Bethlehem Township. Lammi also gave his comments on the present procedure and what this Commission should not be going through. Commission members felt Jensen should follow through with this for future meetings.

ZONING AMENDMENT – Political signs – Bruno highlighted the reason for this zoning change. It is due to a law suit by the Northampton County Democratic party challenging any municipality that has these requirements in their ordinance. Rickert noted she has a problem with the signs being able to be up for 21 days after the election. Feels this is way too long. Bruno noted the legal issues on the First Amendment. The present requirement on a sign is 3 sq. ft. and now they are asking for 32 sq. ft. and that they have to be taken down within 21 days. Jensen asked if the size of the signs would affect the health/safety/welfare condition and Bruno noted if it is in a sight triangle it could cause a problem and that’s when the township can get involved. On motion by Grandinetti, seconded by Wilkins, and agreed by all, the Commission recommended approval to accept the ordinance as presented. Rickert noted she agreed with this on the advice of our solicitor and Stoneback and Rickert both noted they agree with this under protest.

Jensen announced that the deliberations for Commerce Bank were held today by the Zoning Hearing Board and their request was denied.

Jensen asked the Commission what they would like to see as far as zoning decision letters. Rickert and other members noted they would like to see any active applications, only ones that will be coming before this Board. All agreed.

PUBLIC COMMENT – None.

On motion by Rickert, seconded by Stoneback, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

Diane Grube, Corr. Sec.