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PLANNING AGENCY
April 18, 2010

HIGHLIGHTS

A motion to recommend approval of the March 11, 2010 minutes was made by Mr. Wynne, seconded by Mr. Zern. Hartford-Nay, Sartor-Aye, Zern-Aye, Wynne-Aye, Reitz-Aye, Adams-Aye, Casper-Aye. Motion passed.

A recommendation to remove the parking space size from the proposed Parking Ordinance and direct it to the definition of a parking space and size in the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) and to forward the ordinance to the Board of Supervisors for their final review at their next board meeting was made by Mr. Wynne, seconded by Mr. Reitz. Hartford-Aye, Sartor-Aye, Zern-Aye, Wynne-Aye, Reitz-Aye, Adams-Aye, and Casper-Aye. Motion passed.

A motion was made to approve a new business, Body Kneads Day Spa at 1050 Grosser Rd. in Gilbertsville, contingent on providing adequate parking was made by Mr. Wynne, seconded by Mr. Reitz. Hartford-Aye, Sartor-Aye, Zern-Aye, Wynne-Aye, Reitz-Aye, Adams-Aye, and Casper-Aye. Motion passed.

Mr. Reitz presented an update on the Pottstown Regional Planning Commission Meetings.

Revitalization/Property Maintenance Meetings on hold until Sunshine Law is reviewed.
Next Planning Agency Meeting is May 13th, 2010 @ 7pm.

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

The meeting of the Douglass Township Planning Agency was called to order at 7:02 P.M.
Members in attendance were: Barbara Hartford, John Sartor, Bill Zern, Tom Wynne, Ed Reitz,
Carl Adams, and Anthony Casper. Solicitors Chuck Garner & Paul A. Bauer III, Hannah Mazzaccaro from MCPC, Supervisor John Stasik, Bob Campbell, Mike Heydt, and Peter Hiryak. Also in attendance were 9 residents.

An announcement was made by Mr. Theil that he was recording tonight’s proceedings.
Mr. Wynne led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag

Mr. Wynne asked if there were any questions or comments on the March 11th, 2010 minutes, Mr. Theil stated that he was not happy with the verbiage stating “the Regional Plan superseded the Comprehensive Plan”, Solicitor Garner stated that questions regarding the exact wording does not change the general intent of the Planning Agency’s conversations. Mr. Wynne stated that the minutes would stand as they are. No one else replied.

A motion to recommend approval of the March 11th, 2010 minutes was made by Mr. Wynne, seconded by Mr. Zern. Hartford-Nay, Sartor-Aye, Zern-Aye, Wynne-Aye, Reitz-Aye, Adams-Aye, and Casper-Aye. Motion passed.

Ordinances
a. Mr. Garner gave an overview of the proposed Rt. 100 Corridor Overlay Ordinance.
The intent of the proposed Ordinance is to channel higher densities of development into
areas designated for growth as indicated in the future land use plan of the Pottstown
Metropolitan Regional Comprehensive Plan. The concept of the proposed Ordinance
would provide property owners an incentive for enhanced residential or commercial
development in exchange for the funding or construction of Township road improvements
which would include Market Street and Jackson Road. The Ordinance would allow parcels
that are presently zoned Mixed Use to be increased to General Commercial. The parcels
presently zoned Residential would be allowed a higher density. The Township had
previously looked at the Rt100 Corridor, it makes sense to utilize the boundaries of those
prior discussions however, the scope of the Overlay District should be determined by the
Planning Agency and the Board of Supervisors.

There is a need to have a cost estimate by the Township Engineers to determine the cost of
building the roadways which would include construction, land acquisition, permitting, and
Engineering. Mr. Rosen stated that he has some cost estimates that he is willing to share
with the Township Engineer.

Ms. Hartford questioned whether the Township Comprehensive Plan should be updated to include the Rt.100 Corridor since this was last done back in 1988. Mr. Garner stated that a Township can update a Comprehensive Plan but it must be consistent with the Pottstown Metropolitan Regional Plan, Ms. Mazzaccaro stated the Metropolitan Regional Plan is much more current and reflects up to date growth trends of the Region.

There was some discussion between the Planning Agency Members and the Danny Jake Organization regarding Open Space and parking requirements. There was also the question if sewer capacity is available to handle the number of units in this development. Ms. Mazzaccaro also questioned each developer’s level of contribution regarding the costs of roadway improvements and there would have to be a more detailed cost analysis of the proposed zoning in the Overlay Ordinance. Mr. Theil stated that he had a problem with the process of developing the Overlay Ordinance. Michael Gambone of the Gambone Organization introduced himself to the Planning Agency and asked if he could be involved in any discussions or staff meetings regarding the proposed Overlay District and construction of Market Street. The Township Manager stated that the Board of Supervisors must approve any and all staff meetings. The Planning Agency requested that Ms. Mazzaccaro and Solicitor Garner work together to come up with a final draft of the proposed Overlay Ordinance that can be discussed and voted on at the next meeting in May.

b. Parking Ordinance – The Board of Supervisors, at the April 5th, 2010 meeting
reviewed the Parking Ordinance forwarded by the Planning Agency for approval. After
hearing concerns from the residents on the size of the spaces, the Board
agreed to send the Parking Ordinance back to the Planning Agency for consideration of
changing the parking space sizes from 9’x18’ to 10’x20’.

A recommendation to remove the parking space size from the proposed Parking Ordinance and direct it to the definition of a parking space and size in the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) and to forward the ordinance to the Board of Supervisors for their final review at their next Board meeting was made by Mr. Wynne, seconded by Mr. Reitz. Hartford-Aye, Sartor-Aye, Zern-Aye, Wynne-Aye, Reitz-Aye, Adams-Aye, and Casper-Aye. Motion passed.

The 10’x20’ parking space size would be required any time there is a subdivision or land development plan unless otherwise waived by the Board of Supervisors.

Subdivisions and Land Developments
1. Graterford Road Properties – Nothing new to report.

New Business
Tracy Moyer introduced herself and stated that she plans to open a Body Kneads Day Spa at 1050 Grosser Road in Gilbertsville. There will be one or two employees, operating hours will be from 9:00am to 8:00pm, she showed a drawing of her proposed entrance, exit, and nine parking spaces. Mr. Heydt stated that there will be no renovations and no outdoor storage and that there are no problems with this business fitting into the existing zoning district. The Manager stated that this is in the CC (Convenience Commercial) zoning district and this business fits in this area. Mr. Wynne asked if anyone had any questions or concerns, Ms. Hartford had concerns about the traffic on Grosser Road regarding customers pulling out of the Spa during peak times. Ms. Moyer stated that she schedules appointments with fifteen minute intervals to avoid conflicts with parking or traffic problems; it would not involve that many people at any one time. Ms. Hartford asked if there is a separate entrance and exit, Ms. Moyer replied the driveway is horseshoe shaped, in one way out the other as shown in her drawing. There were no other questions.

A motion was made to approve a new business (Body Kneads Day Spa) located at 1050 Grosser Road in Gilbertsville, PA ,contingent on providing adequate parking, by Mr. Wynne, seconded by Mr. Reitz. Hartford-Aye, Sartor-Aye, Zern-Aye, Wynne-Aye, Reitz-Aye, Adams-Aye, Casper-Aye. Motion passed.

The Pottstown Regional Planning Commission Update was given by Ed Reitz
The Board of Supervisors approved by Resolution a Map Amendment Change for future land use in Upper Pottsgrove Township, from Suburban Residential to Regional Commerce. The Board of Supervisors also approved by Resolution a Map Amendment Change for future land use in West Pottsgrove Township, from Rural Resource to Regional Retail. This change is necessary to bring the Regional Plan and Local Ordinances into General Consistency.

The Board of Supervisors also approved by Ordinance a change in the definition of “General Consistency” found within Section IV of the Intergovernmental Planning Agreement between the eight members of the Pottstown Metropolitan Regional Planning Commission. The intent of the change is to grant further flexibility in density and intensity to developments that can be considered beneficial to the Pottstown Metropolitan Region.

Workshop Items
Mr. Wynne stated that no workshop items will be discussed since the next Revitalization/Property Maintenance meeting has been put on hold.

Public Comment
Mr. Wynne asked for public comment, Ms. Hartford mentioned that there was a meeting on Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 at the Pottstown Borough Hall, hosted by Lower Pottsgrove Township and the Borough of Pottstown regarding a proposed federally unfunded mandate on the Model Stormwater Ordinance that could force area Municipalities to adopt new stormwater regulations. Bob Campbell will update the Planning Agency regarding any new regulations or requirements that will affect Douglass Township.

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

The next Planning Agency Meeting will be held on May 13th, 2010 at 7:00PM.

Respectfully submitted by,

Marcy Meitzler

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