WEST HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

Minutes of March 17, 2011

The regular meeting of the West Hempfield Township Planning Commission was held at the Township Municipal Office, 3401 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, March 17, 2011.   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; Larry Groff; Alice Yoder; and Dan Nonnemacher were present.  Also in attendance were Ron L. Youtz, Township Manager; Edward C. Hinkle, Zoning Officer and Maria K. McDonald, Recording Secretary.

I. Minutes

Members reviewed the minutes of the January 20, 2011 meeting.

Motion: A motion was made by Mr. Groff, seconded by Mr. Nonnemacher, to approve the minutes of January 20, 2011.  Carried 5-0.

II. Communications

Chairman Beam asked if there were any communications at this time.

Mrs. Yoder reported the following communications from the Lancaster Planning Commission, which included a letter requesting information regarding the status of the Preserve at Silver Springs and plan receipt of the Farmdale Elementary School.    

II. Briefing Items

A. Farmdale Elementary School - WHTPC 11-01

Final Land Development Plan

Location: 695 Prospect Road

Mr. Hinkle informed the members that the applicant will be proposing to add approximately 30,000 sq.ft. to the existing 74,000 sq.ft. school building located at 695 Prospect Road.  The proposed additions would include a single story classroom creating an enclosed courtyard; an improved parent vehicle drop-off area; a new single story gymnasium; a new single story cafeteria; new playground; and relocation and enlargement of the existing storm water detention basins. 

The applicant will be requesting the following waivers of the Storm Water Management Ordinance: 1) Section 122-21.A-Calculation of Runoff Methodology; 2) Section 122-22.B-Inlets; 3) Section 122-23.B-Storm Sewer Pipe Depth; 4) Section 122-23.D-Gutter Depth and Inlet at Low Spots; and 5) Section 122-26.D-Basin Drainage.  The applicant will be also requesting the following waivers from the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance: 1) Section 305-Preliminary Plan Application Process; 2) Section 501-Completion of Improvements or Guarantee Thereof; 3) Section 602.M-Curbs; and 4) Section 602.N-Sidewalks.

B. Hempfield Gardens – WHTPC 11-02

Final Land Development/Subdivision Plan

Location: 1014 Prospect Road

Mr. Hinkle informed the members that the applicant will be proposing to subdivide a 1.142 acre lot off the existing 6.409 acre lot located at 1014 Prospect Road which will be including some lot line changes to the property at 3936 Concordia Road.  The proposed new lot located at 1014 Prospect Road and the existing lot at 3396 Concordia Road will meet the required lot size.  The applicant is also proposing a land development plan as part of the subdivision for all three lots, which will include storm water management.

Chairman Beam at this time indicated to the members that a storm water management plan will be added to the agenda. 

C. Meadow View K-Farm (Barry Kreider)

Storm Water Management Plan

Location: 612 Eby Chiques Road

Mr. Hinkle informed the members that the applicant will be proposing to build a new heifer barn located at 612 Eby Chiques Road and because of the size of the barn the applicant will have to do a storm water management plan. 

IV. Agenda Items - None

V. The next regular meeting will be held on April 21, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

VI. Adjournment

Chairman Beam indicated to the members that there are a couple of topics to discuss tonight.  The first discussion between the members and Township staff was regarding the issue of the Planning Commission reviewing the Special Exception Requests before they are submitted to the Zoning Hearing Board.  The Township has been briefly challenged on this issue.  The conclusion of the discussion was that the Planning Commission Members would no longer need to review the Special Exception Requests as done in the past due to the fact that there are qualified people on the Zoning Hearing Board to accomplish this task and that ordinance does not reference this step in the process of submitting Special Exception Requests.

The members went on to discuss the issue regarding Mr. Hinkle presenting Planning Commission Meeting in an electronic way.  Mr. Hinkle informed the members that he attends several meetings in other Townships that review the plans proposed on a screen projected from a lap top so that the audience can see the plan as they are discussing it.  He also indicated that the packets the members receive would be emailed to them instead of being mailed and if the members wanted they could bring their own lap tops and review the information from their own screens. Mr. Hinkle informed the members to please give their email addresses to Mrs. McDonald after the meeting.  The conclusion of the discussion was to try this out possibly at April or at the May Planning Commission meeting.   

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. Groff, seconded by Mr. Rodman, to adjourn the meeting. Carried 5-0.

Chairman Beam adjourned the meeting at 7:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Secretary

Alice Yoder