WEST HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

Minutes of December 16, 2010

The regular meeting of the West Hempfield Township Planning Commission was held at the Township Municipal Office, 3401 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, December 16, 2010.  Chairman Ron Beam called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Board members John Rodman, Vice Chairman; Alice Yoder; Larry Groff and Dan Nonnemacher were present.  Also in attendance were Mark Lauriello, Township Engineer; Ron L. Youtz, Township Manager; Edward C. Hinkle, Zoning Officer and Maria K. McDonald, Recording Secretary.

Chairman Beam informed the members that he was adding an item C to the agenda to have Mrs. Yoder discuss the meeting she attended regarding the PCTI Grant. 

I. Minutes

Members reviewed the minutes of the November 18, 2010 meeting.

Motion: A motion was made by Mr. Nonnemacher, seconded by Mr. Rodman, to approve the minutes of November 18, 2010. Carried 5-0.

II. Communications

Chairman Beam asked if there were any communications at this time. There were no communications to report. 

III. Briefing Items – NONE

IV. Agenda Items

A. Mitchell S. Weaver – WHTPC 10-19

Final Subdivision Plan

Location: 4418 Fairview Road

Mr. Mark Deimler of Strausser Surveying informed the members that the applicant would like to subdivide the existing 8.9 acre located at 4418 Fairview Road into two lots. The small .41 acre lot located at 4416 Fairview Road with the semi-detached house was previously part of the existing 8.9 acre lot located at 4418 Fairview Road. One side of the semi-detached house and .41 acre lot was subdivided before current zoning creating the existing non-conforming dwelling. In July of 2010 the Zoning Hearing Board grated a variance to create a one acre lot around the existing semi-detached unit on this lot. Each of the semi-detached units has existing separate water supplies on lots and septic systems also on lots. New wells and septic systems are proposed for the two new lots. The following waivers are being requested: 1) Section 602.K.6-Improvement of Existing Streets and 2) Storm Water Management Ordinance Section122-23.D-Intersection Flow Depth. 

Motion: A motion was made by Mr. Groff, seconded by Mrs. Yoder, to recommend approval of the Waiver of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance Section 602.K.6-Improvement of Existing Streets with the condition that a fee suitable to the Township in lieu of the improvements be provided. Carried 5-0.

Motion: A motion was made by Mr. Nonnemacher, seconded by Mrs. Yoder, to recommend approval of the Waiver of the Storm Water Management Ordinance Section 122-23.D-Intersection Flow Depth because this is for the driveways and not a public intersection and based upon the alternative and justification provided. Carried 5-0.

Motion: A motion was made by Mr. Rodman, seconded by Mr. Nonnemacher, to recommend approval of the Mitchell S. Weaver Final Subdivision Plan with the condition that the applicant satisfies all outstanding comments and requirements of the second review letter of December 8th be complied with to the satisfaction of the Township. Carried 5-0.

Motion: A motion was made by Mrs. Yoder, seconded by Mr. Nonnemacher, to recommend approval of the Planning Module for the subdivision as submitted. Carried 5-0.

B. Warren W. Diffenderfer Family Trust – WHTPC 10-08

Subdivision Plan

Location: South Side of Marietta Avenue and on both sides of Summit Drive

Mr. Bill Sell of Light-Heigel & Associates, Inc. informed the members that the applicant is proposing to subdivide the existing 89 acre lot located south side of Marietta Avenue and on both sides of Summit Drive into seven (7) lots. There will be five (5) lots in the Traditional Village Zone and two (2) lots in the Rural Agricultural Zone. There are existing dwellings on Lot 1 in the Rural Agricultural Zone and Lot 5 in the Traditional Village Zone.   

The following variances were granted by the Zoning Hearing Board: 1) Section 301.3.A.1 – to allow the creation of Lot 1 to be less than the required 25 acres in the Rural Agricultural Zone using Summit Drive as a dividing line between the two agricultural lots; 2) Section 403.4.A.1 – to allow the creation of Lot 5 without public water with the condition that it be connected if the lot is sold to a new owner or the well is deemed unfit; 3) Section 701.8 to allow the creation of Lot 5 with more than one principal building.

The applicant is requesting the following waivers:

1) Section 305 – Preliminary Plan Processing

2) Section 404.A.1 – Plan Scale

3) Section 404.C.3 – Features within 200’ of the site

4) Section 404.D12 & 404.D.14 – Stormwater Management Design & Grading Design

5) Section 402 – Sewer and Water Facilities Feasibility Study

6) Section 602.K.1, 602.F, and 602.K.6 – Improvement of Existing Streets, including curbing and

   sidewalk

7) Section 404.C.1 – Maximum Contour Interval

8) Section 405.C – Existing Features

9) Section 404.D.9 – Street Cross Sections of Existing Streets

10) Section 404.D.10 – Street Centerline Profiles

There was a discussion between the board members, staff and Mr. Sell regarding Lot 7 and Lot 5 fronting on Marietta Pike with a shared driveway and an existing second driveway located on lot 5 on the western side. The discussion was regarding the removal of the western driveway and the possibility of future development of either lot would need to include an evaluation regarding the access of the second western driveway. It was also discussed that the second driveway is an existing condition and the Zoning Hearing Board had signed off on it regarding approving the Section 701.8 to allow the creation of Lot 5 with more than one principal building/use.  

Mr. Sell submitted to the members a handwritten letter withdrawing the following waivers: 1) Section 404.C.1 – Maximum Contour Interval; 2) Section 405.C – Existing Features; 3) Section 404.D.9 – Street Cross Sections of Existing Streets; and 4) Section 404.D.10 – Street Centerline Profiles.

Motion: A motion was made by Mr. Groff, seconded by Mr. Nonnemacher, to recommend approval of the Waiver of Section 305 – Preliminary Plan Processing with the condition that the applicant satisfies all preliminary and final plan requirements to the satisfaction of the Township. Carried 5-0.

Motion: A motion was made by Mr. Rodman, seconded by Mr. Nonnemacher, to recommend approval of the Waiver of Section-404.A.1 – Plan Scale based upon the alternative provided.  Carried 5-0.

Motion: A motion was made by Mr. Nonnemacher, seconded by Mrs. Yoder, to recommend approval of the Waiver of Section-404.C.3 – Features within 200’ of the site based on the alternative provided on the plan. Carried 5-0.

Motion: A motion was made by Mrs. Yoder, seconded by Mr. Nonnemacher, to recommend approval of the Waiver of Section-404.D.12 & 404.D.14 – Stormwater Management Design and Grading Design based upon the justification provided. Carried 5-0.

Motion: A motion was made by Mr. Groff, seconded by Mr. Nonnemacher, to recommend approval of the Waiver of Section 402 – Sewer and Water Facilities Feasibility Study due to the as-yet undefined use and based on other justification provided. Carried 5-0.

Motion: A motion was made by Mr. Nonnemacher, seconded by Mr. Groff, to recommend approval of the waiver for Section 602.K.1, 602.F, and 602.K.6 – Improvement of Existing Streets, including curbing and sidewalk with the condition that we currently defer improvements on Lot 5 at this time, but it is noted on the plan that when Lot 7 is brought forward for improvements that the improvements of Lot 7 and Lot 5 are done together and that it is also stipulated in the access and maintenance agreement for the common driveway between Lot 5 and Lot 7. Carried 4-1 with Alice Yoder opposed.   

Motion: A motion was made by Mr. Nonnemacher, seconded by Mr. Rodman, to recommend approval of the withdrawal of the waivers for Section 404.C.1 – Maximum Contour Interval; Section 405.C – Existing Features; Section 404.D.9 – Street Cross Sections of Existing Streets; and Section 404.D.10 – Street Centerline Profiles. Carried 5-0.

Motion: A motion was made by Mr. Groff, seconded by Mr. Nonnemacher, to recommend approval of the Warren W. Diffenderfer Family Trust (Summit Drive) Preliminary/Final Subdivision Plan with the condition that any land development on Lot 5 would provide the elimination of the current western driveway for Lot 5 and that the applicant satisfies all outstanding comments and requirements to the satisfaction of the Township. Carried 5-0.

C. Discussion regarding the PCTI Grant

Mrs. Yoder updated the members regarding the meeting for the Pennsylvania Community Transportation Initiative (PCTI) Grant.  She indicated to the members that she along with Mr. Hinkle and Mr. Youtz had met last month with Lauri P. Ahlskog, Senior Transportation Planner of the Lancaster Planning Commission to discuss the PCTI grant potentials.  Some of the details of this program are designed to advance smart transportation by encouraging collaborative decision making and emphasizing regional multi-municipal/agency cooperation, as well as advancing integrated land use and transportation.  

Mrs. Ahlskog had clarified that planning and construction proposals are eligible to receive the PCTI funds.  She also indicated to them that this year there were eight applications submitted to the County applying for this grant.  The discussion involved the possibility of applying for the grant in the future from the PCTI program to implement a project in the Traditional Village District area or possible other areas in the Township.  The members decided to move forward in looking for guidance and direction from another meeting with Mrs. Pat Kadel of the Lancaster County Planning Commission and then proceed to meet with the Supervisors for further discussion and possible approval to proceed to apply for the grant. 

Chairman Beam asked for a motion to approve the 2011 Planning Commission meeting dates.

Motion: A motion was made by Mr. Nonnemacher, seconded by Mr. Rodman, to recommend approval of the 2011 Planning Commission meeting dates. Carried 5-0.

V. The next regular meeting will be held on January 20, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

VI. Adjournment

Chairman Beam asked if there were any more comments or business.  Being none he called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Motion: A motion was made by Mr. Nonnemacher, seconded by Mr. Rodman, to adjourn the meeting. Carried 5-0.

Chairman Beam adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Alice Yoder

Secretary