TOWNSHIP OF SALISBURY
LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
7:30 PM
January 9, 2007

A Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission of the Township of Salisbury was held on the above date at the Township Municipal Building located at 2900 South Pike Avenue, Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Present were Commissioners Beck, Hebelka, Schreiter, Cusick, and Hassick. Also present were Mr. Tettemer, representative of the Township Engineer; Attorney Ashley, Township Solicitor; Charles Unangst of Hanover Engineering, alternate Township Engineer; and Mr. Best, Director of Planning & Zoning.

CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Beck called the meeting to order.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
December 12, 2006
On motion of Mrs. Cusick, seconded by Mr. Schreiter, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the December 12, 2006 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes as submitted.

Consideration of the Steven Sametz Request for Exemption for Well Isolation Distance Requirement for On-Lot Septic Repair/Design for 1531 Seidersville Road, Bethlehem, PA 18015.

Present was Steven Sametz, owner, and Tom Klucick, soil and land development advisor on behalf of Mr. Sametz. Also present was Mr. John Burkhardt, Township Sewage Enforcement Officer.

He explained that the lot is not large enough to meet the current regulations for isolation distances for the on-lot septic system and the well.

Mr. Schreiter asked a number of questions pertaining to the age of the well, locations of the wells next door, measurements between the front of the home and the right-of-way to the road.

Mr. Klucick explained that it appears to be the original well from the 1900’s and that groundwater studies are not required for repairing faulty septic systems.

There was a brief discussion about the cesspool and drain field. It was noted that the well had been tested and is not contaminated. Mr. Klucick commented that the soils are good enough, the drain field is properly sized and a cesspool is not needed.

Mr. Burkhardt explained that based on the lot size and restrictions, the best technical guidance to get a suitable system on the property would be to have the system installed at the proposed location. He suggested having an easement or notation placed on the deed and suggested abandoning the cesspool as a contingency of the permit. He recommended approving the isolation distance exemption request.

There was a brief discussion on the well and questions were raised on whether it was encased in bedrock. The applicant agreed to place a note on the deed as required by the Solicitor.

Attorney Ashley recommended that hold harmless language be documented and evidence provided that the document is recorded.

On motion of Mr. Hassick, seconded by Mrs. Cusick, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the Steven Sametz Request for Exemption for Well Isolation Distance Requirement for On-Lot Septic Repair/Design for 1531 Seidersville Road.

Consideration of the 1511 Tweed Avenue Minor Subdivision Plan. Property located at 1511 Tweed Avenue, Allentown, PA 18103, in an R-4, Medium Density Residential Zoning District. Five (5) sheets – plan dated December15, 2006.

Present were Kirk Leister and Thomas Williams, and Nick McCandra of Base Engineering.

Mr. Tettemer highlighted the Township Engineer’s review letter dated January 3, 2007.

Mr. Best read his comments listed in a memo dated January 4, 2007.

Mrs. Cusick inquired if it had been determined whether tree removal permits had been obtained by the developer.

Mr. Best explained that he checked the records and found that they had pulled tree removal permits.

On motion of Mr. Hassick, seconded by Mrs. Cusick, the Planning Commission voted 4-0-1 to conditionally approve the 1511 Tweed Avenue Minor Subdivision Plan, subject to addressing the Township Engineer and Planning & Zoning Director review letters, and subject to applicable federal, state, and local permits and approvals. Mr. Schreiter abstained.

Consideration of the Bruce H. Uhl Major Subdivision Plan. Property located at 3109 Birchwood Drive, Allentown, PA 18103 in a C-R, Conservation Residential Zoning District. Eight (8) sheets – plan dated December 15, 2006.

Present were Joseph Bubba, counsel; Bruce Uhl, developer; and Harry Garman of Barry Isett & Associates, engineer.

Mr. Unangst highlighted the Hanover Engineering review letter dated January 4, 2007.

Mr. Best read his comments listed in a memo dated January 4, 2007.

Attorney Bubba addressed some of the Township Engineer’s comments. He explained a discrepancy with the listed acreage amount of the property and stated that they would place two notes on the plan regarding the difference in acreage.

Mr. Uhl noted that a survey was performed by Bascom & Seiger.

Mrs. Cusick inquired about the distance of the subdivision to the Girl Scout camp. She noted that the development is heavily wooded and inquired about the trees to be removed.

Mr. Best explained that trees are allowed to be removed within a building envelope including up to a distance of 15 feet from a house and 10 feet from a driveway.

Mrs. Cusick expressed a concern with stormwater runoff going onto the Girl Scouts’ land.

Mr. Unangst explained that none of the stormwater would go onto the Girl Scout property, but instead would flow towards the Shramke property and crossing onto the DeAngelis property.

Mr. Garman addressed some of the engineering comments relating to a concrete pipe for infiltration trenches, slopes of driveways, and explained that they would be providing individual grading plans for each lot showing the building footprints, grading and infiltration pits for rooftop and driveway runoff.

The size of the building footprints was briefly discussed. Mr. Schreiter commented that he wanted the record to reflect that waivers should not be granted due to the relatively small size of the homes.

Kevin McNalley of 3113 Birchwood Drive inquired about a deed restriction of 3,500 square feet lot size minimum and that the plan proposes to extend the cul-de-sac along the side of his house. He stated that he had been informed by the Township Engineer several years ago that a cul-de-sac in that location would make his lot nonconforming because it would violate the 50 foot setback for his home. He commented that although the developer received a variance to narrow the cartway width, he expressed his belief that the proposed drainage ditches would still be part of the road and make his property nonconforming.

Mr. Uhl responded that there are no deed restrictions on his development. He commented that a determination had been made with respect to Mr. McNalley’s side yard setback by the Township that extension would not change Mr. McNalley’s property.

Wayne DeAngelis of 2839 Dewalt Street stated that his wife Denise was also present and that they both had hired an engineer, Mr. Bruce Haig of Whitmore & Haig, to review the plan.

Mr. Haig spoke at length, citing his review comments with respect to the plan as well as the Hanover Engineering review letter relating to construction in steep slopes and the topographical boundary. He commented that his firm’s calculations of the steep slope areas determined that the lots are not accurately shown on the plan. He made recommendations to the developer’s engineer to take further measures to determine the steep slopes and lot layout. He raised an issue on the amount of proposed tree cutting and tree line location. He stated that the plans should reflect natural features on the DeAngelis property particularly where the springs are located within 300 feet of the homes. He noted an issue with the depiction of the stormwater management on the plan that it does not fit the site. He stated that he had tested the stormwater calculations and the results do not match the developer’s. He recommended shortening the road and leaving an area of open space to allow the stormwater to flow in its natural state. He urged the developer to take measures to determine if the lots are the right size.

Several commission members directed questions to Mr. Haig relating to a survey study performed in 2002 by Bascom & Sieger and the slope calculations performed by Mr. Haig.

Mr. DeAngelis noted that approximately 25 acres of his land borders the proposed development and he has several springs on his property that may be within 100 feet of the property line. He expressed his concerns that the proposed on-lot septic systems may have an impact on the springs.

Mr. Haig briefly spoke on the perk tests.

Attorney Bubba commented that he did not agree with Mr. Haig’s comments but that they do agree with the Hanover review comments.

Mrs. Cusick recommended increasing the distance of 150 feet from the perimeter for notification to residents who may or may not be impacted by a proposed development.

Mr. Uhl explained the direction and route the stormwater would travel from the development. Mr. Garman briefly explained some of the revisions that would be made to the plan.

On motion of Mrs. Cusick, seconded by Mr. Hassick, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to table the Bruce H. Uhl Major Subdivision Plan.

ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned.