TOWNSHIP OF SALISBURY
LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
7:30 PM
October 14, 2008

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, Hassick, and Licht. Also present were Mr. Tettemer, representative of the Township Engineer; Attorney Ashley, Township Solicitor; and Mr. Soriano, Township Manager.

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

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES – September 9, 2008
On Motion by Mr. McKitish, seconded by Mr. Schreiter, the Planning Commission voted 5-0-1 to approve the September 9, 2008 Planning Commission Minutes as submitted. Mr. Beck abstained.

Consideration of the Samuel M. Gentile Minor Subdivision Plan. Property located at 757 Weil Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015 in an R-4, Medium Density Residential Zoning District. Four (4) sheets – last revised September 19, 2008.

Present were Mr. Doug White, engineer, and Mr. John Howard representing the developer.

Mr. Tettemer highlighted the Township Engineer’s review letter dated October 8, 2008. He pointed out that comment #1 could be deleted.

With respect to Comment #7, (SALDO Section 10.15) the applicant will request a partial waiver.

Mr. Schreiter inquired about whether an easement would be needed for the drainage swale to prohibit a homeowner from placing a shed that could block the swale.

Mr. Hebelka commented that the property owner must be made aware that they will have to maintain the swale.

Mr. Ken Wied of 803 Weil Street provided the Planning Commission with copies of a letter and petition that had been submitted to the City of Bethlehem Water Department requesting that the City not grant additional water lines due to existing low water pressure. Additional hookups would further impact on the low water pressure. He recalled an incident where the fire hydrants were being tested in Fountain Hill during which they were not able to get water in their homes.

Charles Iannetta of 1750 Savercool Avenue discussed the water pressure issue and expressed his concerns on the additional impacts to the water pressure.

There was a brief discussion on contacting the City of Bethlehem regarding the water service. Mr. Tettemer suggested that the City of Bethlehem should indicate whether it can provide service. Attorney Ashley advised that Bethlehem would have to indicate whether it can service the entire line with the additional homes.

On motion of Mr. McKitish, seconded by Mr. Licht, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to grant a partial waiver as requested from SALDO Section 10.15 (drainage and utility easements).

On motion of Mr. Licht, seconded by Mr. McKitish, the Planning Commission voted 3-3 on the motion to grant conditional approval of the Samuel M. Gentile Minor Subdivision Plan. Messrs. Schreiter, Hassick, McKitish voted Nay.

Attorney Ashley noted that a specific reason would have to be given for the denial of the plan; otherwise it could be deemed approved.

Mr. Schreiter noted that the reason for denial would be the inadequate water pressure and allocation from the City of Bethlehem.

A discussion ensued on the possibility of a conditional approval of the plan, subject to the City of Bethlehem providing a letter indicating that they will be able to supply adequate water pressure and service.

Mr. McKitish suggested that the developer grant the Planning Commission a 30-day extension. The Developer submitted a written letter granting an extension of the review period to November 30, 2008.

On motion by Mr. Hebelka, seconded by Mr. McKitish, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to accept the extension of the review period until November 30, 2008.

On motion by Mr. McKitish, seconded by Mr. Hassick, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to table the Samuel M. Gentile Minor Subdivision Plan.

Consideration of the Salisbury Township School District Land Development Plan. Property located at 400 East Montgomery Street, (High School Campus) in an R-4, Medium Density Residential Zoning District. Twelve (12) sheets – last revised September 19, 2008.

Present were Terry DeGroot of Terraform Engineering; Heather Morningstar, Principal; and James Milot of Hanover Engineering.

Mr. Tettemer highlighted the Township Engineer review letter dated October 8, 2008.

Mr. DeGroot acknowledged receipt of the review letter and indicated that they will comply with the Township Engineer review comments although there are some items that they would like clarification. He inquired about the parking lot screening comment.

Mr. Tettemer noted that the screening would be to ensure that headlights from vehicles parked in the lot are not being directed into the homes across the street.

Mr. DeGroot discussed the Township Engineer review comments, noting that they would still maintain their request to proceed as a preliminary and final plan. He inquired about the water meter pit requirement.

Mr. Tettemer commented that the Public Works Director had indicated that a meter pit should be installed. He suggested meeting with the Public Works Director on the matter.

Mr. DeGroot indicated that they are agreeable to the stormwater management comments. He asked for clarification on the floodplain comment.

He stated that they would like to expedite the review for the NPDES permit and will need a letter from the Township stating that they meet the Act 167 requirement. He explained that they would request a waiver to the street tree requirement and instead propose to allow the existing trees to remain as well as to add trees throughout the parking lot to screen headlights.

Mr. Hebelka suggested that the request be a deferral as opposed to a waiver. He pointed out some corrections to the plan documents. He asked for additional information on the stormwater management measures and soils testing.

There was a brief discussion on the detention basin’s controls to release the stormwater and how it can be turned off in the winter.

On motion by Mr. McKitish, seconded by Hassick, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to grant a waiver from SALDO Section 5.3.F.2 (requirement to show natural features including slopes).

On motion by Mr. McKitish, seconded by Mr. Schreiter, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to grant a deferral from SALDO Section 10.16 (street tree requirement).

The waiver request from SALDO 3.2.A.3 was held over and not acted on.

Ms. Morningstar reviewed an independent Traffic Study regarding student drop-off, transported by bus and students driving to the school. Mr. Hebelka noted a correction on page 5 of the independent bus/traffic study.

Mr. Milot provided the members with copies of the Traffic Impact Study conducted for the intersection at Emmaus Avenue and Dauphin Street. He noted that the study indicates that a traffic signal at the intersection is not required since it does not meet the warrants as required by PennDOT.

Mr. Beck and Mr. McKitish asked a number of questions to clarify the traffic volume of students and teachers as it currently exists.

On motion by Mr. McKitish, seconded by Mr. Hassick, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to table the Salisbury Township School District Land Development Plan.

ADJOURNMENT
On motion by Mr. Schreiter, seconded by Mr. McKitish, the Planning Commission meeting was adjourned.