UPPER
HANOVER TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 8, 2021
Call to Order
The
meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Reed followed by the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Roll Call
Planning Commission members in attendance were Sharon Bastone,
Alternate; Richard Fain; William Kalb; Stefan Laessig; Brandon Reed; and Tim
Woodward. Also in attendance were John Weber, P.E., Township Engineer; Sandy
Koza, P.E., McMahon Associates via speaker phone; and Stan Seitzinger, Jr.,
Township Manager.
Citizen Comments
Citizens in attendance did not present comments.
Approval of Minutes
Mr.
Laessig moved to approve the August 2, 2021 Planning Commission regular meeting
minutes including an amendment to revise the date indicated for the approval of
minutes to July 7, 2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Fain and carried affirmatively
with Mr. Reed abstaining from the vote.
Mr.
Laessig indicated that he will recuse himself from the Ferguson Lot Line
Amendment discussion. Chairman Reed appointed Mrs. Bastone as a voting member
for the September meeting concerning the Ferguson Lot Line Amendment.
Announcements
Chairman
Reed announced that September 13, 2021 is the last date for submission of plans
for review by the Township Engineer and discussion at the October 4, 2021
regular meeting.
Old Business
Plans Scheduled for Discussion
A. Deerfield Development – Montgomery Avenue
Susan
Rice, attending the meeting remotely by phone, reviewed and discussed requested
waivers for the Deerfield Development.
Mr.
Kalb moved to recommend approval of the following waivers as included in the
LTL Consultants recommendation for waiver request letter dated August 27, 2021
and the July 29, 2021 STA Engineering waiver request letter as follows:
1.
Section 425-301.B(1) which requires all major subdivisions to be
submitted and processed as a preliminary plan. The waiver is requested to allow
the plan to be processed as a preliminary/final plan.
2.
Section 425-403.E(2)(a) which requires an ultimate right-of-way width of 40
feet from the centerline of Montgomery Avenue, which is classified as a minor
arterial road. The waiver is requested to allow an ultimate right-of-way width
of 30 feet from the centerline of Montgomery Avenue to match the ultimate
right-of-way width required in Pennsburg Borough.
3.
Section 425-405 which requires intersection spacing of at least 400
feet between all proposed streets and any other intersection along Montgomery
Avenue. The waiver is requested to allow approximately 200 feet between
proposed Road A and Mensch Dam Road.
4.
Section 425-406 which requires intersection spacing of at least 400
feet between all proposed driveways and any other intersection along Montgomery
Avenue. The waiver is requested to allow the proposed driveway for lot 49 to be
less than 400 feet from Mensch Dam Road and four other existing driveways along
Montgomery Avenue.
5.
Section 425-407.G(1) which requires driveways for individual lots to be
a minimum of 75 feet from street intersections measured from the point of
intersection of the street ultimate right-of-way lines. The waiver is requested
to allow the proposed driveway for Lot 49 to be approximately 56 feet from the
ultimate right-of-way of Mensch Dam Road.
6.
Section 425-411 which requires a traffic impact study for all
subdivisions. The waiver is requested to not provide a traffic impact study
because just two lots are located in Upper Hanover Township.
7.
Section 196-3.A (Driveway
Ordinance) which requires a drainage
structure to be installed in the driveway to intercept stormwater from the
driveway when the driveway slopes toward the road. The waiver is requested to
not install such a drainage structure for Lot 49.
The
motion was seconded by Mr. Fain and carried unanimously.
The
Planning Commission indicated that they will wait to hear on approval actions
by Pennsburg Borough prior to any future actions on the plan by Upper Hanover
Township.
B. Kershner Tract
Susan
Rice provided an updated on the status of the Kershner Tract, indicating that
the section of the development located in Upper Hanover Township will include
only open space with a trail.
C. Ferguson-Vitale Lot Line Amendment – Walt Road, Action Time Limit:
Waiver of Review Time Requirements
Mr.
Fain moved to recommend approval of the following waivers:
1.
§425-402.G and 425-403.E(2)(b)
– Road Widening
2.
§425-410 – Sidewalks, Curb,
Storm Sewer
3.
§425-411 – Traffic Impact
Study
The
motion was seconded by Mr. Woodward and carried unanimously with Mr. Laessig
abstaining from the vote.
Mr.
Woodward moved to recommend preliminary and final approval of the Scott
Ferguson Minor Subdivision Plan prepared by Irick Eberhardt and Mientus, Inc.,
plan dated July 26, 2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Kalb and carried unanimously
with Mr. Laessig abstaining from the vote.
D. 1086 Palm Hill Road – Planning Module
Mr.
Laessig moved to authorize Township Planning Commission’s signature to the 1086
Palm Hill Road Planning Module as recommended by the Township Engineer. The motion
was seconded by Mr. Woodward and carried unanimously.
Current Plans Without New Activity
Current
plans without new activity were reviewed.
New Business
New
business was not presented.
Monthly Reports
A. Zoning
Swamp Creek Properties, LLC Zoning Hearing
Mr.
Slotter reviewed and explained his proposed use at the Swamp Creek Properties
Project located at Gravel Pike. Discussion ensued.
Mr.
Fain moved to recommend sending a letter of support to the Zoning Hearing Board
for the requested zoning relief. The motion was seconded by Mr. Laessig and
carried unanimously.
B. Building Permit Report and
Escrow Report
The
monthly reports were entered into the record.
C. Regional Planning Commission
Report
There
was nothing new to report.
D. Planning Commission Meeting Dates
The
next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 4, 2021 at
7:00 p.m.
Adjournment
Mr.
Kalb moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mr.
Woodward and carried unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Stanley
W. Seitzinger, Jr.
Township Manager