TOWNSHIP OF SALISBURY
LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
7:30 PM
October 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, McKitish, Schreiter, Snyder, Licht and Hassick. Also present were Mr. Tettemer, representative of the Township Engineer; Attorney Ashley, Township Solicitor; and Mr. Best, Director of Planning & Zoning.

CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Beck called the meeting to order. Mr. Beck announced that the KidsPeace plan is continued.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
September 11, 2007
On motion of Mr. McKitish, seconded by Mr. Hassick, the Planning Commission voted 6-0-1 to approve the September 11, 2007 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes as submitted. Mr. Licht abstained.

Consideration of the Glenda A. Pini Minor Subdivision Plan. Property located at 1630 East Emmuas Avenue, Allentown, PA in an R-3, Medium/Low Density Residential Zoning District. One (1) sheet – plan dated September 14, 2007.

Present were Dan Witczak, engineer, Ott Consulting, Inc., and Ms. Glenda Pini, owner.

Mr. Tettemer highlighted the review letter of the Township Engineer dated October 3, 2007.

Mr. Best read his comments listed in a memo dated October 2, 2007.

Mr. Witczak noted that they had received the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission’s review letter. He stated that with respect to the right-of-way width of the alley Butz Lane, they propose to dedicate an additional 3 ½ feet to meet the 20 foot right-of-way width requirement.

Mr. Tettemer explained that waivers and variances would still be required. He explained there are two options, either to provide the required right-of-way or request waivers and variances.

Mr. Beck suggested that the developer apply to the Zoning Hearing Board prior to returning to the Planning Commission.

Mr. Witczak explained that the existing road is 14 feet wide and there is no room to widen the road due to existing structures.

Mr. Beck informed the developer of a turn around on the KidsPeace property which allows buses to turn around since Butz Lane is too narrow.

Mr. Witczak noted that they propose less than the nine lots previously proposed on the original subdivision plan.

Mr. Tettemer recommended that the landscaping at the intersection of Butz Lane and Emmaus Avenue be shown on the plan as well as the sight distance lines.

On motion of Mr. McKitish, seconded by Mr. Snyder, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to table the Glenda A. Pini Minor Subdivision Plan.

Consideration of the Arthur E. & Mary T. Richmond Minor Subdivision Plan. Property located at 1840 Cypress Avenue in an R-4, Medium Density Residential Zoning District. One (1) sheet – plan dated June 29, 2007.

Present were Robert Piligian, surveyor, Bascom & Seiger, and David Richmond, son of Arthur & Mary Richmond, owners, who were also present.

Mr. Tettemer highlighted the review letter of the Township Engineer dated October 3, 2007.

Mr. Best read his comments listed in a memo dated October 2, 2007.

Mr. Piligian noted that a waiver request letter was submitted. He explained that with respect to the natural and manmade features, they have done enough topography to identify all the upstream and downstream drainage areas and offsite improvements that would be utilized in part of the subdivision. He briefly described what the plan proposes. He noted that they could not widen proposed Lot 2 to meet the lot depth-towidth ratio requirement without putting the property line extremely close to the existing dwelling on proposed Lot 1. He stated that they propose to remove most of the driveway and will not utilize the garage which will help create positive drainage for the site. They also propose to utilize the unopened portion of Paoli Street for access. He noted that there is a driveway currently that serves a neighbor’s property and the owner has had discussions about utilizing the driveway. He noted that they have no problem with the remaining Township Engineer’s comments. He briefly went over the waivers and deferrals being requested.

Mr. Beck inquired if transformers were on the utility pole.

Mr. Piligian explained that the pole is off of the site and serves the Frack and Richmond properties. He stated that although they propose to remove the service to the Richmond property and run its utilities underground, the pole would be retained in its present location to service the Frack property.

Mr. Arthur Richmond clarified that there are no transformers on the pole.

Mr. Leonard Frack of 1890 Cypress Avenue noted that the utility pole is actually located on his property. He also expressed concerns with stormwater directed onto his property.

Mr. Piligian noted that although there will be a minimal increase in impervious coverage due to the turn-around for Lot 2, a shed and a majority of the existing macadamed garage will be removed which would help to minimize the impact of stormwater on adjoining properties.

Mr. Lawrence Ware of 2010 Cypress Avenue expressed his concerns with stormwater runoff problems on his property and particularly with a property located behind the proposed development where another developer is looking to change the flood plain map.

There was a brief discussion regarding the street tree partial deferral request.

The developer noted that there are existing trees in front of Lot 1, but there are no trees in front of Lot 2. Mr. Piligian noted that although the Township Engineer’s letter indicates that three trees would be required along the front of the proposed development, one for Lot 1 and two for Lot 2, they propose to place two trees on Lot 2 and retain the trees currently in front of Lot 1.

On motion of Mr. Snyder, seconded by Mr. McKitish, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to grant a waiver to SALDO Section 7.3.C & E (natural and manmade features within 100’ of site).

On motion of Mr. McKitish, seconded by Mr. Hassick, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to grant a waiver to SALDO Section 10.6.A.3 (lot depth-to-width ratio).

On motion of Mr. Snyder, seconded by Mr. Schreiter, the Planning Commission voted 5-2 to grant a deferral to SALDO Section 10.12.A (curbing and sidewalk). Messrs. McKitish and Beck voted no.

On motion of Mr. McKitish, seconded by Mr. Hassick, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to grant a partial deferral to SALDO Section 10.16 as previously discussed (no street trees required for Lot 1 only).

Mr. Beck expressed his concerns regarding the telephone pole.

Mr. Piligian indicated that they do not have any objections to the Township Engineer’s comments on the telephone pole and easement requirements and they are agreeable to eliminating the existing driveway. He clarified further that they are agreeable to the comments in the Township Engineer’s review letter.

On motion of Mr. McKitish, seconded by Mr. Hassick, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the Arthur E. & Mary T. Richmond Preliminary/Final Minor Subdivision Plan, subject to the conditions listed in the Township Engineer and Planning & Zoning Director review letters, and any Federal, State, Local requirements or conditions that may be required by the Solicitor.

Consideration of the KidsPeace Broadway Campus Expansion Land Development Plan. Property located at 1630-1650 Broadway in an R-4, Medium Density Zoning District. Eighteen (18) sheets – plan revised August 17, 2007. Mr. Beck noted that a letter was received granting the Township an extension of the review period for the plan to December 31, 2007.

On motion of Mr. McKitish, seconded by Mr. Snyder, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to accept the extension of the KidsPeace Broadway Campus Expansion Land Development Plan to December 31, 2007.

ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned.