PALMER PLANNING COMMISSION

SEPTEMBER 11, 2007

The regular monthly meeting of the Palmer Township Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. with the following in attendance: Rickert, Young, Grandinetti and Wilkins. Also present were Planning Director Amanda Jensen, Solicitor Charles Bruno, and Engineer Brian Dillman. Rickert convened the meeting by leading those present in the Pledge to the Flag.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING – On motion by Wilkins, seconded by Young, and agreed by all, the minutes were approved as written.

WILLIAM CORRIERE, JR. – Stocker Mill Road – Lot Line Adjustment – Kim Moore was present with his client Bill Corriere with plans on a lot line adjustment on Stocker Mill Road. Moore reviewed what the applicant is proposing which is a lot line adjustment and proposing the building of a garage. The township engineer commented that the waivers need to be submitted in writing. There are some outstanding engineering comments that need to be satisfied. The waivers were discussed and Jensen noted they would need to be deferrals not waivers. Recreation Board comments were discussed and it was noted that there would not be any fees due since they were not creating a new building lot. There would be the same amount of lots on this plan. Solicitor noted he would like to review the easement agreement. The request for deferrals was submitted at this meeting. On motion by Young, seconded by Wilkins, and agreed by all, the Commission voted to recommend final approval by the Board of Supervisors conditioned that all comments of the township engineer’s letter of September 10, 2007 are satisfied; all departmental comments be satisfied and that the Recreation Board’s comments are not applicable; the deferrals be granted as discussed which were for the required improvements for the cartway widening and installation of concrete curbing and sidewalk along Stocker Mill Road and also for the private driveway within the 50 foot wide easement.

MAPLE SHADE ESTATES – Final Plan – Attorney Stan Margle and John McRoberts of Van Cleef Engineering were present with final plans for Maple Shade Estates. Margle highlighted the proposed development and noted they have satisfied the sewer authorities from both townships. There was lengthy discussion on Laubach Lane. Margle stated Bethlehem Township wants the roadway closed at Bethman Road and Laubach Lane with removable bollards for emergency vehicles. He also stated they do not want Laubach Lane improved as they do not want to have to do any maintenance on this road. Young noted that the Recreation Board reviewed this plan and stated the Township Is now using 12 feet width for the bike path. Jensen to speak with Howard Kutzler from Bethlehem Township. In regards to the “dressing up” of the bike path, Margle stated they would do whatever the township would like done and Young noted they would have to discuss this with Bethlehem Township. Margle stated he thought the Supervisors stated during the preliminary plan stage that they would give the developer a credit if they needed to create the bike path. They agreed to pay recreation fees totaling $63,000. Young asked about the bike path or special sidewalk which was done on Crest Blvd. being installed on the one side of Nulton Avenue. Dillman noted the sidewalk is wider and the sections are longer and they use zip strips so they are smooth. Young feels it should be the sidewalk type for the bike path since there are homes fronting this roadway and feels it wouldn’t look right with macadam in front of the homes. The sidewalk should be taken up to the church’s driveway cut, it should end at a logical spot. Margle stated the homeowners association will own and maintain the detention pond and the engineer stated they may want to install a landscape buffer between the basin and the residential area for aesthetics. Rickert stated she feels Laubach Lane should be constructed for use as a bikeway. Young agrees but noted it should be the 12 feet width but wants to see what Bethlehem Township wants. Wilkins agreed with landscaping but doesn’t feel the roadway has to be done over that it wasn’t in that bad of shape. McRoberts noted it will be overlayed. Grandinetti feels the improvements and landscaping needs to be done, that it needs to be improved. Jensen stated she feels we should have a bike path continuation and have a standard bike path and landscaping on either side, cutting it down the width of the roadway. The traffic calming techniques were discussed and there were various suggestions for the developer to look into. Dillman discussed the street humps. Jensen will speak with the Public Works Superintendent on this and get his feelings on it. Brian Harman noted when speed humps are put in right in the beginning when the roadways are being constructed there are no problems with the plowing. The plow just goes right along the roadway. The Commission needs to know the feeling of the Supervisors on the bike path/Laubach Lane and the road calming techniques. Jensen will discuss this with the Board.

On motion by Wilkins, seconded by Young, and agreed by all, the Commission recommended conditional final approval for Maple Shades Estates conditioned that all engineering comments be satisfied in their letter of September 10, 2007; investigation of traffic calming techniques be done; Laubach Lane bike path landscaping be resolved; the 8 foot wide sidewalk from bike path all the way to church be installed; Laubach Lane/bike path be a 12’ width and landscaped and the sidewalk to end at the beginning of the bike path on the north side of White Barn Lane. Jensen to check with both Townships to see if they are in agreement with the landscape on Laubach Lane and all departmental comments be satisfied.

On motion by Young, seconded by Grandinetti, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Diane Grube, Corr. Sec.