Planning Commission
Summary
The Halifax Township Planning Commission met on December 7, 2015 at 7:00 PM for a regular session that lasted just under an hour. All four commission members — Flo Mallonee, Fred Ford, Randy Paul, and Dwight Hoffman — were present, along with Secretary Wendy Wentzel, Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky, and Engineer Steve Roe. The meeting centered on advancing a commercial building project and continuing revisions to the township's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO).
- Flight Source building plan recommended for approval (5-0): The Commission unanimously forwarded Flight Source's proposal to raze an existing building and construct a larger replacement to the Board of Supervisors. Approval is contingent on Engineer Steve Roe verifying that all preliminary plan, final plan, stormwater, and general plan review comments have been addressed. Conditions include issuance of an NPDES permit and recording of a cross-easement on the plan.
- Shed size limit reduced in SALDO (5-0): The Commission voted to cut the maximum permitted shed size from 600 square feet to 300 square feet while retaining the existing 5-foot setback requirement.
- Mailbox setback discrepancy under review: Discussion identified a conflict between PennDOT's definition of a setback and U.S. Postal Service standards for mailbox clearance from the curb. No motion was made, but the issue remains open. A definition of "monument structure" will also be developed for the SALDO.
- Public comment — stormwater planting: Resident Kenneth Bechtel asked what could be planted in a retention area on his property under his approved stormwater plan. Engineer Roe advised selecting vegetation that tolerates wet root conditions.
- 2016 meeting schedule set: The Commission established monthly meeting dates for 2016, to be held the first Monday of each month.
Who was there
Flo Mallonee (Planning Commission Member) · Fred Ford (Planning Commission Member) · Randy Paul (Planning Commission Member) · Dwight Hoffman (Planning Commission Member) · Wendy Wentzel (Planning Commission Secretary) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Steve Roe (Engineer)
Public comments
Meeting business
Approval of Minutes
Motion by Randy Paul, seconded by Dwight Hoffman, to approve the November 2, 2015 Planning Commission meeting minutes. Motion carried 5-0.
Old Business
Motion by Randy Paul, seconded by Fred Ford, to recommend approval of the Flight Source plan to raze and erect a larger building, contingent on verification that Preliminary Plan comments #1-3, Final Plan comments #5, #6, and #9, Stormwater comments #10-24, and General Plan comments #25-27 were adequately addressed. Final Plan comment #4 was revised to require issuance of the NPDES Permit and a cross easement on the Plan as conditions of approval. Approval was based on Engineer Steve Roe's verification and revised memorandum to proceed to the Board on December 14, 2016. Motion carried 5-0.
New Business
The Planning Commission set its 2016 meeting dates for the first Monday of each month: January 5, February 1, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, July 6, August 1, September 7, October 3, November 7, and December 5.
Public Comment
Ken Bechtel asked the Planning Commission what a resident could plant in a retention area based on the approved Stormwater Plan for that property. Engineer Steve Roe suggested planting something that likes wet roots.
Old Business
Discussion continued on changes to the SALDO. Motion by Randy Paul, seconded by Fred Ford, to reduce the maximum shed size from 600 square feet to 300 square feet while keeping the setback at 5 feet; motion carried 5-0. Additional discussion addressed discrepancies between PennDOT and USPS definitions of mailbox setbacks from the curb, and a definition of monument structure will be developed for the SALDO.
Adjournment
Motion by Randy Paul, seconded by Fred Ford, to adjourn at 7:57 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.
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