Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

7:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 20, 2006
 

Call to Order:  Waddington called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
Supervisor Georgia Brutscher was present along with John Snook, Brandywine Conservancy.

Members Present:  Bill Waddington, Steve Conary, Suzie Breiseth, Meg Johnson, Sean Rafferty, Gary Summers,
Supervisor Georgia Brutscher was present along with John Snook, Brandywine Conservancy.

Member Absent:  Sarah Mims

Brenda White Farm:  Applicants Frank & Tom Pancoast; Jim Fritsch, Regester Associates, Inc. were present to discuss John Fenn’s review dated September 15, 2006.

Fritsch asked if the applicant could move directly to final plan submission based on the level of review that was done to develop the sketch plan. Waddington said the ordinance requires three or more lots to be considered a major subdivision so the applicant would be required to submit a preliminary plan and a final plan.   Snook suggested allowing the applicant to submit the preliminary and final plans simultaneously and start the 90 day clock running.  If the preliminary is fairly clean, the applicant doesn’t loose time and can move directly to final plan phase.

Conary noted once the applicant’s submission goes thru the preliminary review process, it will be up to the BOS to decide whether the plan was acceptable as a final plan submission.

Fritsch said the applicant does not want to have a bikeway and/or trail on site due to the size and number of lots and also noted that the residents on Bragg Hill Road do not want trails.  Snook suggested that the applicant could provide a right-of-way, and the trail would not get installed until a connection was developed.  Snook said it would be feasible to locate a right-of-way on the property not located near a proposed building site.   There was a general discussion about trails on the property.  The applicant will seek the recommendation of the Open Space & Trails Committee and attend their October meeting.

Fritsch noted items 3 & 4 on the review will be addressed by the applicant.

Conary noted that item 5 & 6 have been discussed and addressed to the Planning Commission’s satisfaction.  Waddington noted the pull-offs shown on the sketch plan and referenced in Fenn’s review letter have been designed to improve site distance on Bragg Hill Road.  Fritsch said a private street concept will be used to the serve the three lots.

Fritsch said storm water management will be submitted for the private street, and requested the individual lots submit storm water management at the time of building permit issuance.  Waddington said a note should be added to the plan that storm water will be addressed to township specifications at the time of the building permit issuance.

Fritsch said the applicant will move forward with the preliminary / final plan submission and thanked the commission for their time.

Announcements:  Conary reported a new Open Space Advisory Committee has been appointed by the BOS to study and make recommendations on land and easement acquisitions and TDR acquisitions.  The committee will meet twice a month.

KARPC:  Brutscher reported the region is discussing developing a regional historic committee.  Brutscher said she was hoping to invite two representatives from the township’s Historic Committee to the October KARPC meeting.  Brutscher said the regional park located behind Anson B. Nixon Park has opened.

Minutes of July 19, 2006:  Breiseth moved, Conary seconded to accept the minutes of July 19, 2006 as amended.  Motion carried.
 

Fee-In-Lieu:  John Snook, Brandywine Conservancy, was present to review and answer questions on the proposed Fee-In-Lieu of recreation and trails ordinance.  Snook discussed a concern that the proposed ordinance becomes an unreasonable burden on the landowner creating a one or two lot subdivision. Conary presented a spreadsheet with 10 dwelling and tract area scenarios.  Snook said clearly 5% is unreasonable burden to place on a small subdivision owner.  Snook reviewed the formulas for the fee-in-lieu.  The PC members and Snook discussed the proposed ordinance and different scenarios to develop a fee structure.   Snook said he would re-draft the proposed ordinance with some of the ideas that were discussed and email it to the members for their review a week before the PC meeting in October. 

Flood Plain Management Ordinance:  The PC reviewed the proposed flood plain conservation district ordinance to modify certain definitions; change certain references; and otherwise modify the ordinance to comply with the requirements of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, (FEMA).

Conary moved, Waddington seconded to recommend adoption of the flood plain ordinance to the BOS.  Motion carried.  

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 9:48 p.m.

____________________                                            __________________________

Karen Eckard, Secretary                                              William Waddington, Chairman