Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

7:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 19, 2006
 

Call to Order:  Waddington called the meeting to order at 7:38 p.m.

Members Present:  William Waddington, Steve Conary, Sarah Mims, Suzy Breiseth, Gary Summers, Meg Johnson

Member Absent:  Sean Rafferty

Minor Subdivision / Serum Property:  Present were Chester Diem, Regester Associates, Inc.; James & Marilyn Serum, property owners; Chris Conaway, Open Space & Recreation Committee;

Chris Conaway suggested the trail that currently runs east and west on the Serum property should be relocated due to wet areas that are not durable. Conaway suggested moving the trail to a north/south location to provide better terrain for the trail.  Conaway said the trail currently is not linked to any other trail in the area.  Conary said it would be great to get a link to this trail.  Mr. Serum said he agrees with the proposal of Mr. Conaway to relocate the trail.

Diem said Fenn’s review dated July 12, 2006, item #3 requires the applicant to make a contribution to the Open Space and Recreation Fund.  Diem said the Serum’s disagree with this recommendation.  Diem pointed out that this property currently is under conservation easement, and the ordinance does not state that this contribution is required on minor subdivisions.  

Diem said there is no construction currently planned for this lot so the applicant is using a non-building waiver for their application to DEP.  Diem said the planning modules and storm water plan would be submitted at the time of the building permit for the new house. 

Waddington said, at the very least, a storm water management plan would be necessary.  Diem said the applicant could add a note to the plan referencing storm water management.  Diem requested a waiver from ordinance Section190-40 referencing concrete monuments.  Waddington said the six major exterior corners should have concrete monuments; the rest could be iron pins. 

The PC members discussed the driveway location and the 50’ road frontage required by ordinance for each lot.  Conary said a waiver from Pocopson’s SDLD ordinance, section 190-30, should be granted to accommodate this plan.  Mims suggested eliminating the 50’ access strip so future owners could not build a driveway up this steep slope.  Diem said the ordinance restricts building on steep slopes.  Waddington suggested having Frone Crawford, Esq., review this plan and suggest how to best handle the access situation required by the township’s ordinance.  Waddington said he would talk with Mr. Crawford. 

Diem said they are requesting a waiver from ordinance Section 190-23D.  Mr. Serum said that nothing on the lots is being disturbed except two small trees that are currently leaning.  Waddington recommended that the waiver be granted.

Diem requested a waiver from ordinance Section190-30D; driveway standards.  Waddington suggested having Bill Harwood, Roadmaster, take a look at the driveway to determine if it is adequate.  Diem said the driveway maintenance agreement is being worked on.  Waddington pointed out the township has a standard agreement that could be used. 

Diem said the applicant is requesting the following waivers: 
Waiver 190-22C, Waiver 190-23, Waiver 190-24, Waddington noted that intervals of 5’may be shown on the plan, Waiver 190-35, Waiver 190-40.

Waddington said the housekeeping issues still need to be done, and the applicant is going to seek Frone Crawford’s recommendation on the access strip located on this property.

Brenda White Farm:  Applicant Tom Pancoast, Frank Pancoast, Chester Diem, Regester Associates, Inc, Mr. & Mrs. Gawthrop, and Carl Meister were present to discuss the White Farm subdivision plan.  Conary reviewed a draft PC recommendation dated July 19, 2006 which was based on a site walk and discussions by commission members, the applicant, Jim Fritsch, Regester Associates, Inc., Bragg Hill Road residents and Bill Harwood, Roadmaster; on Tuesday, July 18, 2006.  Conary said there are questions on building envelopes, and where the street or turn-around would be located relative to the woods. Pancoast said he is willing to keep the building envelopes 50’ back from the property lines.  Pancoast expressed concern with selling lots that have shared driveways.  The PC discussed having one entrance at the bottom with driveways breaking off as they go up the slope.   The Planning Commission agreed that the four lot subdivision plan is the recommended choice, and the residents of Bragg Hill Road are in agreement with this choice also. Conary noted this plan would require conditional use approval. Conary said the commission would present this PC recommendation to the Board of Supervisors with the purpose of obtaining agreement on the general magnitude of the improvements that will be required on Bragg Hill Road. With that agreement, the applicant would then proceed to formal plan submission.

Motion:  Mims moved, Summers seconded to accept PC recommendation letter to the Board of Supervisors dated July 19, 2006.  All in agreement. 

Minutes of June 21,2006:  Breiseth moved,  Mims seconded to accept the minutes of June 21, 2006 as submitted.  Motion carried. 

Public Comment:  Matt Murphy asked the commission whether the Kelly property is considered a major or minor subdivision.  Waddington said he thought this would be a major subdivision.

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m.

_______________________                                      __________________________

Karen  J. Eckard, Secretary                                          William Waddington, Chairman