PALMER TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

The regular monthly meeting of the Palmer Township Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. with the following in attendance: Chairman Tom Grube, Vice Chairman Virginia Rickert, members Ron Grandinetti and Rich Wilkins. Also in attendance were Attorney Dennis DeEsch and Engineer Brian Dillman. Grube called the meeting to order and led those present in the Pledge to the Flag.

MINUTES OF THE JUNE MEETING – On motion by Rickert, seconded by Grandinetti, and agreed by all, the minutes of the June meeting were approved as written.

Charlotte Avenue – Sketch Plan – David M. Bray – Jena Engineering was present with plans for his client. He stated there has been approval for an office building on this lot previously. He reviewed the sketch plan that he had and noted that there is a proposed text amendment before the Board of Supervisors. They are proposing 60 units on this lot but noted that they would cut down the number of units to help with parking if needed. There would be two parking spaces for each unit and a playground in front. They have a lot of work to do with the text amendment and then they would have to go to the Board of Supervisors and the Zoning Hearing Board to take care of other issues. Bray noted he was here tonight to get some feed back on this sketch. Wilkins felt the building should resemble other residences in the neighborhood. Grube commented on the playground being near the roadway/parking lot. Bray noted they would fence it if needed. Wilkins asked about the proposed height being requested and Dillman noted this would be covered in the zoning ordinance revision that they were proposing. In this zoning district right now it allows for 2 ½ stories with provisions for 3 ½ stories. Wilkins discussed the responsibility of all the roads that intersect with Greenwood Avenue in regards to road improvements. Rickert stated that she was concerned with this large building placed on a smaller lot size and with all the cars that will be there. Each apartment will have two spaces but some of the apartments will be smaller efficiencies and would be for one person but their calculations are for 2 spaces for each apartment. He said it will all work out at the end. They could propose additional parking for visitors. Grube said they should check the roadway for fire vehicle access. Dillman stated this project will need conditional use approval. Dillman stated a residential use in the LI district will impose a greater setback requirement (120 feet vs 30 feet) on the adjacent industrial uses than they are currently subject to. Rickert again stated that she feels this is a little too much, too cramped on a small space. Grube agrees with this. Engineering concerns – Dillman informed all that there is a major drainage channel through this site and informed Bray that the discharge cannot be changed. This is a major issue. Bray stated the developer would be going before the Board of Supervisors to review this sketch plan and comment on the text amendment. After everything is straightened out then the developer will get working on plans for proper submittal. Wilkins also stated that he would like to see some architectural thought given to the outside since this building will be seen first when coming into the area from Route 22.

Wilkins asked if the Commission should keep the review letter from the engineer in regards to Woodridge Falls. Dillman noted yes, unless there is another submittal for the next meeting. Rickert asked if the developer had ever met with the neighbors in that area and Grube noted he spoke with a resident in the area and the developer did meet with them.

No public comment.

On motion by Rickert, seconded Wilkins, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

Diane Grube, Corr. Sec.