Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

7:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 18th, 2006
 

Call to Order:  Waddington called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Members Present:  Bill Waddington, Steve Conary, Sarah Mims, Sean Rafferty, Meg Johnson, Gary Summers

Member Absent:  Suzie Breiseth

Cosgrove Minor Subdivision:  Jim Fritsch, Regester Associates; Mr. Cosgrove and Tom Cosgrove, a son, were present.  Fritsch said the Cosgrove minor subdivision located on Clarks Lane consists of a 4.953 acre site, is zoned RA, and has an existing dwelling on the site.  Mr. Cosgrove proposes to subdivide off a two-acre lot for a son.  The proposed lot will have on-site water and sewage.  Perk testing has been done and the applicant is applying for a planning module exemption for this project.  There was a general discussion about where the house should be located on the newly created lot.  Waddington said he would contact the zoning hearing board solicitor to see if the proposed building setback would be permitted by township ordinance.  Waddington said a note should be added to the plan for impervious surface stating that tanks will be sized per square foot of house for storm water infiltration.  He also noted the fee-in-lieu contribution for open space will be at the discretion of the Board of Supervisors.   PC recommends a waiver from Section 190-22B (7) requiring concrete monuments.  Iron pins will be satisfactory.  The PC requested the applicant to show septic system and well locations on neighboring properties, and the house location adjacent to Lot #1.  It was agreed that all construction related items will be addressed at the time of the building permit.  The applicants thanked the PC for their time.

Fee-in-Lieu Ordinance:  The members discussed the fee-in-lieu of ordinance.  Rafferty said he is not in favor of imposing a fee-in-lieu for open space on minor subdivisions.  The PC feels that this ordinance is an undue burden on the small landowners.  The PC stated it should not be implemented in its current form, and the PC members would like another session with John Snook.  PC members strongly recommend that the Board of Supervisors do not adopt this ordinance in its current form and that more discussions need to occur before the commission could make a recommendation.  
Motion:  Conary moved, Rafferty seconded that the fee-in-lieu recommendations not be adopted by the Board of Supervisors and that the Planning Commission have another session with John Snook, Brandywine Conservancy, to discuss this issue further.  Motion carried.

Minutes of September 18, 2006:  Conary moved, Mims seconded to accept the minutes of September 18th as submitted.  Motion carried. 

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.

_________________________                                  __________________________
Karen J. Eckard, PC Secretary                         William Waddington, Chairman