MINUTES OF ZONING HEARING BOARD MEETING

 

The zoning hearing board of Palmer Township met on Tuesday, September 1, 2009, at 7:30 P.M. in the Palmer Memorial Library, One Weller Place, to hear the following appeals.  In attendance Nicholas Noel III, Esq.,zoning board solicitor, Charles Roseberry, board chairman, Cherie Kavanaugh board member, Peg Kennedy alternate board member substituting for Dan Caravetta board member, James Raudenbush, zoning officer, and court reporter Ted Rewak. 

 

Cherie Kavanaugh made a motion to accept the minutes of the August 4, 2009, zoning hearings.  The motion was seconded by Charles Roseberry, with all in agreement.

 

09-24 7:30 p.m. 4 Courtney Ct, Deborah L. Ackerman, is seeking relief from section 190-29 C in order to operate a Massage Therapy Business out of her home. This property is located in a Low Density Residential District.

Witnesses: Deborah Ackerman and Burton Ackerman

Action: Peg Kennedy made a motion to grant the Special Exception for a Massage Therapy business as a home occupation, with the conditions that there will be no overlapping appointments and no signage. Cherie Kavanaugh seconded the motion with all in agreement.

 

09-25 7:40 p.m. 821 S.25thSt, Horizon Signs, LLC, 1040 S. West End Blvd, Quakertown, Pa 18951, is seeking relief from section 190-184 A(4) (a) in order to have more than one wall sign for a business, and to increase the overall wall signage for the shopping center that is already in excess of the 200 square foot maximum. This property is located General Commercial Zoning District.

Witnesses: Kevan Price, Horizon Signs, Duane Horne, Fameco Management, Bandy Saluja, Madison Capital Investments, Inc. (Aarons)

Action: Cherie Kavanaugh made a motion to approve the backlit portion of the Aaron’s signage package and to deny the non-illuminated signs that were presented on exhibit A-2 at the time of the hearing. The motion was seconded by Peg Kennedy with all in agreement.

 

09-22 7:50 p.m Nicholas St., New Creation United Church of Christ, 1913 Freemansburg Ave, Easton Pa 18042, is seeking a use variance pursuant to section 190-100 in order to develop a parcel of land to build a Place of worship. This property is located in a Light Industrial Zoning District.

Witnesses: Karl Kline Esq., Robert Cahill, Developer, Paul Kronin, Pastor New Creation UCC, John Morello, 3720 Nicholas St., Lawrence Lopresti, 326 10th St. West Easton

Action: Charles Roseberry made a motion to grant the use variance to construct a place of worship in a Light Industrial District conditioned upon getting the sub-division approvals for the site. The motion was seconded by Peg Kennedy with Cherie Kavanaugh voting against the motion. The motion was passed with a 2-1 vote.


9-23 8:00 p.m. M9-3-1A, M9NW4-18-17, Palmer L.P. and Woodmont Properties Palmer L.L.P., 1177 6th Street, Whitehall Pa 18052, is seeking relief from section 190-49A in order to have a non-household swimming pool for the proposed development, and relief from section 190-166 B in order to have a conditional reduction in off street parking within the apartment portion of the development, the applicant is also seeking an interpretation or in the alternative a variance from section 190-168 A (4) in order to have off street parking that requires the movement of a motor vehicle to proceed to and from a parking space, also an interpretation or in the alternative a variance from section 190-168 C(3) in order to have a parking aisle in excess of 200 feet in length. The applicant is also seeking variances from sections 190-227 K in order to build on natural slopes that are greater than 15%, section 190-227C(2) to have an open space that will not have a canopy of deciduous shade trees, and section190-54 Y. in order to have individual garbage pick up in the townhouse portion of the development. These parcels are located in a High and Medium Density Residential Zoning District.

Witnesses: James Preston, Esq., Don Frederickson, Finelli Engineering, Steve Santola, Woodmont Properties, Steven Varneckas, Woodmont Properties, Carol Schlegel, 1235 Anna Marie St., Constance Espenlaub, 1235 Anna Marie St., Anthony Louro, 1326 Wayne St., Jim Chisesi, 1320 Wayne St., Gayne Knitowski, 1223 Anna Marie St., Mike Larocco, 3112 Florian Ave.

Action: At the time of the hearing the applicant withdrew their request for relief from section 190-227 K in regards to building on steep slopes. Cherie Kavanaugh then made a motion to grant relief for the special exception requests for the non-household swimming pool (190-49A) and the conditional reduction in off street parking, subject to the Township’s exclusive authority to require additional parking (190-166B). The motion was seconded by Peg Kennedy with all in favor. Cherie Kavanaugh then made a motion to grant the variances for sections 190-168A(4) as it relates to off street parking, section 190-168C(3) relating to the parking aisle length,section190-227 C (2) relating to the open space canopy, and section190-54 Y relating to garbage collection for townhouses. The motion was seconded by Peg Kennedy with all in agreement.

 

Having no further business to discuss, the hearing was adjourned at 10:50p.m.

 

James F. Raudenbush

Zoning Officer