TOWNSHIP OF SALISBURY
LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
7:30 PM
November 13, 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 Attorney Ashley, Township Solicitor; and Mr. Best, Director of Planning & Zoning.

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

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
October 9, 2007
On motion of Mr. Hassick, seconded by Mr. McKitish, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the October 9, 2007 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes as submitted.

Consideration of the Samuel M. Gentile Minor Subdivision Plan. Property located at 757 Weil Street, Bethlehem, PA in an R-4, Medium Density Residential Zoning District. Three (3) sheets – plan dated October 19, 2007.

Present were John Howard, relative of owner, and Doug White of Lehigh Engineering Associates.

Mr. Best highlighted the review letter written by Dave Tettemer of Keystone Consulting Engineers, the Township Engineer, dated November 7, 2007.

Mr. Best read his comments listed in a memo dated November 9, 2007.

Mr. Snyder inquired whether the developer would consider three lots instead of four. Mr. Hebelka inquired if infiltration pits would be utilized to handle stormwater management. The developer was asked how they would address the safety issue of traffic approaching from the Weil Street entrance.

Mr. White explained that they will take measurements for sight distance. He highlighted the waivers and deferrals that they are requesting. He commented that widening the road would not necessarily improve the road. He explained the waivers to the right-of-way requirements.

Mr. Schreiter recommended that the vacated alleys be shown on the plan. Mr. White noted that there are no sidewalks in the area or curbing. There was a discussion regarding the sight triangle configuration.

Mr. Howard was asked to depict the portion of trees to be preserved on the plan.

Mr. Hebelka suggested modifying the waiver request for roadway widening to a deferral.

Mr. McKitish commented that the setbacks and dimensions for Lot 1 should be shown on the plan.

Mr. Best noted that the developer submitted waiver/deferral request letters dated November 13, 2007 and October 19, 2007.

There was a lengthy discussion regarding the installation of curbing. Mr. McKitish suggested that the curbing be installed, but defer the sidewalks requirement.

The developer commented that the neighborhood does not presently have curbing. Mr. McKitish and Mr. Schreiter noted that curbing will help assist the plow trucks particularly since the property is along a bend in the road.

The consensus was to not vote on the deferral request for the curbing requirement.

Mr. McKitish made a motion to grant deferrals to SALDO Sections 10.4.D.1 and 10.4.L.4 (roadway widening and right-of-way).

Questions were raised as to needing to widen the road once curbing is installed.

Mr. McKitish withdrew his motion. The consensus was to not act on these deferral requests until the Public Works department could make its recommendations on the matter.

On motion of Mr. McKitish, seconded by Mr. Licht, the Planning Commission voted 5-2 to grant a waiver to SALDO Section 10.6.A.3 (lot depth-to-width ratio). Messrs. Beck and Snyder voted no.

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

ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned.