PALMER TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

July 11, 2006

The regular monthly meeting of the Palmer Township Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 with all members in attendance. Also present was Planning Director Amanda Jensen, Engineer Brian Dillman and Supervisor/Liaison Robert Lammi. Chairman Grube convened the meeting and led all those present in the Pledge to the Flag.

MINUTES OF JUNE MEETING – On motion by Wilkins, seconded by Grandinetti, and agreed by six, Grube abstaining, the minutes of the June meeting were approved.

KOCSIS MINOR SUBDIVISION – Craigie Street – Jeff Ott, of Ott Consulting was present with Jason Kocsis, owner of land. They are proposing a minor subdivision. The engineering comments of July 7, 2006 were reviewed and Ott stated he did not have a problem but wanted to discuss a few of them. Ott stated that there were no sidewalks in this neighborhood and they would be requesting a deferral. Ott was told requests need to be in writing and it must also be shown on plan, even if it is approved. Dillman noted they want to see a concrete apron. Ott also stated that they would rather pay the recreation fee as there is no land to give. As far as the storm water management documentation, it will be forwarded to the engineer. There was discussion on the right-of-way that is 40 feet at the present time. This is an existing street and the requirements are 50 feet. Since this is already a developed area and there are no plans for improvements the applicant will not be providing r/w. Young stated that all issues are minor and feels it does not warrant the applicant to return for just the paperwork. The deferral needs to be in writing and should be stated in the recommendation by this Commission. On motion by Young, seconded by Rickert, and agreed by all, the Commission voted to recommend approval by the Board of Supervisors for the Kocsis Minor Subdivision conditioned that the comments in the township engineer’s letter dated July 7, 2006 are satisfied and that the a deferral request is written for the sidewalk and that the deferral speaks to the 40 r/w instead of 50 ft.

CHEERLEADING SCHOOL – Corriere Road - Joseph Rizzolino, Dennis DeEsch, and Joseph Bednarik from Keystone Engineering were present with plans for a building to house a cheerleading school on Corriere Road. Anthony Rizzolino will recuse himself from this item tonight. Township engineer’s letter of July 7, 2006 was reviewed. Bednarik noted that there is a wooded area where this building is proposed. He stated a substantial amount of trees will remain. The zoning officer is to give approval on this buffer area. It was noted that a 10’ buffer has to be on property that is being developed. It was stated that they are to show the sidewalk and all road improvements until the Board of Supervisors makes a determination. The deferral for the sidewalk/curb along Corriere Road was requested in writing. In the past there was a 50’ easement that was dedicated. This was for future development of Corriere Road. There will have to be review of this to see if the township will still need it. Discussion then focused on connecting the proposed parking area to the adjoining property thereby creating better internal circulation and minimizing access points to Corriere Road. Bednarik explained that would impose on one of the site BMP’s. Other BMP options are to be explored and discussed with the engineer. Bednarik also stated he has not received comments from the sewer authority, the township’s geotechnical consultant or electric company. In regards to the open space the applicant would offer paying the fee in lieu of land. Young noted that the zoning officer determined that there is not an issue with this submittal as far as multiple buildings on a commercial lot. Young stated that the recreation board did not see these plans but assures everyone that they would be asking for fees instead of land. On motion by Young, seconded by Stoneback, and agreed by six, Rizzolino abstaining, the Board voted to table this plan. Jensen noted that there needs to be a conditional use application submitted.

Planning Director’s Comments – Jensen updated the Commission on the meeting with St. Jane’s Church and representatives of the Laubach plan. There were 3 members of the Commission in attendance with her. Discussed the proposed closing of Laubach Lane; members gave their opinions on this. She has just recently spoken with Howard Kutzler from Bethlehem Township and he is not concerned with the closing of the roadway but is awaiting comments from other Boards and Commissions. It was suggested that a meeting be held with the Chair and Vice Chair of each townships’ planning commission and supervisors/commissioners. Jensen to set this up. She noted that the majority of Laubach Lane is in Bethlehem Township.

Jensen advised the Commission that the soccer fields at the Villages of Mill Race were again flooded out. She is in the process of setting up meeting with the developer and some township officials to see where we stand on this.

Jensen noted she had met with Barry Miles of Schafer’s Place and has a few concept plans of what they would like to do. The Zoning Hearing Board denied their request from plan that is on table now. They need to withdraw this plan before they submit another one. The Planning Commission should have the zoning decision.

Public comment –

Mr. Grimsby of 337 Springfield Way stated that he needed help to enforce guidelines as far as swimming pools. Grube noted that was an enforcement issue and that he should speak with the township’s code officers.

On motion by Stoneback, seconded by Rickert, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Diane Grube, Corr. Sec.