PLANNING AGENCY
March 11, 2010

HIGHLIGHTS

The February 11th, 2010 Planning Agency Meeting was cancelled due to the snowstorm.

A motion to recommend approval of the January 14th, 2010 minutes was made by Mr. Zern, seconded by Ms. Hartford. Hartford-Aye, Zern-Aye, Wynne-Aye, Reitz-Aye, Adams-Aye, Casper-Aye. Motion passed.

A motion to recommend approval of the Parking Lot Ordinance, on condition that the driveway length would be 20 feet, and to forward the ordinance to the Board of Supervisors for approval at their next board meeting was made by Mr. Wynne, seconded by Mr. Sartor. Hartford-Aye, Zern-Aye, Sartor-Aye, Wynne-Aye, Reitz-Aye, Adams-Aye, and Casper-Aye. Motion passed.

Mr. Reitz will present a monthly update on the Pottstown Regional Planning Commission Meetings.

Next Revitalization/Property Maintenance Meeting is April 8th, 2010 @ 6pm.
Next Planning Agency Meeting is April 8th, 2010 @ 7pm.

A motion was made by Mr. Reitz, seconded by Mr. Wynne to adjourn the meeting. Hartford-Aye, Zern-Aye, Sartor-Aye, Wynne-Aye, Reitz-Aye, Adams-Aye, Casper-Aye. Motion passed.

The meeting of the Douglass Township Planning Agency was called to order at 7:00 P.M.
Members in attendance were: Barbara Hartford, Bill Zern, John Sartor, Tom Wynne, Ed Reitz,
Anthony Casper, and Carl Adams. Solicitor Paul A. Bauer III, Hannah Mazzaccaro from MCPC, Supervisors Fred Ziegler and John Stasik, Mike Heydt, and Peter Hiryak. Also in attendance were 13 residents.

Mr. Wynne led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag

An announcement was made by Mr. Theil that he was recording tonight’s proceedings.

Mr. Wynne asked if there were any questions or comments on the January 14th, 2010 minutes, no one replied.

A motion to recommend approval of the January 14th, 2010 minutes was made by Mr. Zern, seconded by Ms. Hartford. Hartford-Aye, Zern-Aye, Wynne-Aye, Reitz-Aye, Adams-Aye, and Casper-Aye. Motion passed.

Mr. Wynne announced that the Zoning Hearing Board application for the T-Mobile/Twin Ponds Golf Course Cell Phone Tower has been withdrawn.

Subdivisions and Land Developments
1. Graterford Road Properties - Susan Rice, Stoudt, Tacconelli and Associates Inc.,
gave a sketch plan presentation of a proposed 10 lot residential subdivision located on the Reinhart property at 400 Gilbertsville Road. The property is just under 6.5 acres in the
R-2 Zoning District basically consisting of a cul-de-sac with public sewer and private wells.
Mr. Wynne asked Ms. Mazzaccaro from MCPC if she would like to address the County’s review letter with their comments on this subdivision, Mr. Mazzaccaro stated that the applicant should be commended for proposing a logical arrangement of lots and streets that is consistent with the surrounding development and appears to meet all the dimensional requirements of the Zoning and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinances. The recommendations from the County were to submit a plan for tree preservation and replacement as part of the land development plans and that driveways and homes be sited to minimize tree removal. In addition, there are many tall trees along the edge of the existing field which currently create a property line buffer. We encourage the applicant to retain all of the existing property line trees, to replace those that must be removed with similar large shade trees, and to augment the property line buffer with additional evergreens for privacy. We recommend that the Township require sidewalks be installed on at least one side of the proposed street, as required in the SALDO, this development is within the “Future Sidewalk Area” around Gilbertsville, designated in the Regional Plan and the Township’s Open Space Plan. We recommend that the proposed development be served by public water, however this is not a Township requirement. The applicant should confirm with the Township and the applicable sewer and water authorities that adequate capacity exists for sewer e.d.u.’s and for groundwater supply and recharge. The applicant should work with the Township Engineer to design stormwater controls meeting local and DEP standards and regulations. We recommend that the applicant use stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) to the greatest extent to maximize on-lot infiltration and groundwater recharge, especially important if private wells will be utilized for drinking water. Mr. Wynne asked if the developer would be opposed to public water, Ms. Rice was not sure if the connections to public water were accessible, Mr. Heydt stated that public water accessibility is across the street from this proposed site, Ms. Rice stated that this is something to look at. Mr. Sartor asked if there was any vision on stormwater placement, Ms. Rice stated that they were considering a surface basin with availability in the rear of the development that already has a drainage ditch. Ms. Hartford asked if they could forgo the Gilbertsville Road access and access this development from Thrush Drive, Ms. Rice stated that there was no road frontage on Thrush Drive, this would have to involve two properties, and they would like the drainage in the rear of this development as stated before. Mr. Reitz stated that as a rule they do not waive sidewalks, Mr. Wynne stated that he would like sidewalks. Mr. Heydt suggested to defer the sidewalks. Mr. Heydt asked Ms. Rice if the Township would be taking dedication, she replied yes. Mr. Heydt asked for snow easements to be put into place and to only allow parking on one side of the street with signs clearly stating this. Mr. Theil stated that public water would involve Superior Water in that area and people have a lot of complaints about the water and the cost. Mr. Wynne stated that he is opposed to public sewer with private wells on these lots. Ms. Rice stated that the developer will take all suggestions and comments into consideration as we go forward with this project. Mr. Wynne asked if there were any questions from the public, no one replied. Mr. Wynne thanked Ms. Rice and Graterford Road Properties for their presentation and time.
2. Danny Jake – Zern Tract Proposed Zoning Amendment- Solicitor Bauer distributed copies
of a draft ordinance, creating a new part 25, Route 100 Corridor Master Plan Overlay District, and establishing certain standards and criteria for uses and development in areas designated as growth areas in Douglass Township by the Future Land Use Plan of the Pottstown Metropolitan Regional Comprehensive Plan (PMRCP).
The Solicitor recommended this to be put on the next Planning Agency Agenda and also possibly having a Staff meeting on this before the next meeting. Mr. Wynne agreed. Ms. Hartford asked who requested this overlay, Mr. Hiryak stated that at the Staff meeting it was asked to pursue alternatives to the Rosen zoning amendment proposal. It is important to bear in mind that any proposal is a starting point for discussion, and there are many details that need to be resolved. Ms. Hartford asked if we should not bring our Comprehensive Plan up-to-date. Ms. Mazzaccaro stated that the Regional Plan superseded the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Wynne stated that we want to be more in compliance with the Regional Comprehensive Plan. The Solicitor stated that Rt. 100 Corridor was defined as the growth area. Mr. Wynne stated that Mr. Ziegler did not want to look at just one particular property but at an area as a whole, Mr. Wynne also stated that we want to review this with comments and have a staff meeting on it.
Ordinances
Parking Ordinance /Final Review
A motion to recommend approval of the Parking Lot Ordinance, on condition that the driveway length would be 20 feet, and to forward the ordinance to the Board of Supervisors for approval at their next board meeting was made by Mr. Wynne, seconded by Mr. Sartor. Hartford-Aye, Zern-Aye, Sartor-Aye, Wynne-Aye, Reitz-Aye, Adams-Aye, and Casper-Aye. Motion passed.

Workshop Items
Mr. Wynne stated that the next Revitalization/Property Maintenance meeting will be held on April 8th @ 6pm prior to the Planning Agency Meeting. The Manager is to notify the members and Mr. Ziegler, there will be an additional two names to be added to the committee. Mr. Wynne stated that Signage will be tabled as of now and as far as the Green Building Ms. Mazzaccaro will be e-mailing us on workshop items during midsummer. Ms. Mazzaccaro has asked for a Swamp Creek Watershed review. Mr. Wynne stated that he would like to combine the Traffic Issues/Problems and roll it into the Revitalization meeting for recommendations. The Sketch Plan will be tabled, Mr. Sartor will look into it next month as far as a subcommittee. Mr. Wynne stated that the Renters Ordinance will be looked into next month as far as a subcommittee.

Correspondence
Mr. Wynne asked for everyone to review the Pottstown Regional Planning Agency Minutes, review Danny Jake materials for the next Planning Agency Meeting. Mr. Reitz attends the Regional Planning Meetings and will update the Planning Agency Members. Mr. Wynne asked the Secretary to put Mr. Reitz on the agenda starting in April to discuss the updates.

Public Comment
Mr. Wynne asked for public comment, no one replied.

(INACTIVE)
a. Traffic Issues/Problems – By-Pass
b. Sketch Plan Ordinance
c. Renters Ordinance
Deadlines
I. Danny Jake – Indefinite
II. Cobblestone Commons – Indefinite

A motion was made by Mr. Reitz, seconded by Mr. Wynne to adjourn the meeting. Hartford-Aye, Zern-Aye, Sartor-Aye, Wynne-Aye, Reitz-Aye, Adams-Aye, and Casper-Aye. Motion passed.

The next Planning Agency Meeting will be held on April 8th, 2010 at 7:00PM.

Respectfully submitted by,

Marcy Meitzler




 

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