Planning Commission Meeting April 9, 2008

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES FOR 4/9/08

The meeting of the New London Township Planning Commission opened at 7:30 p.m.

Present were:  Ronald Ragan, Chair; Bob Barto, Vice-Chair; Members Eileen Sparling, Mary Anne Steel , Jack Weber, James Mark and Margaret Healy.

Mr. Ragan asked for public comment and there was none.

Matsen Tract Subdivision (Megill Homes, LLC) – Update

Mr. Ragan reported that Megill has tabled the Matsen Subdivision due to the border dispute.  In a related matter concerning Meadowcroft Knoll another Megill Development, Mr. Ragan will send a letter to get the retention pond process started.  Mr. Barto reported that the Township is going back to Megill to remediate the pond situation.  New London Township took dedication, believing that Megill remedied the pond situation and released escrow monies, but what Megill did apparently did not work.  New London Township now has leverage to fix the retention pond since they are requesting waivers.

Minutes

Mr. Ragan asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes for 3/12/08. There were no corrections or additions and a motion to approve was made by Mr. Barto and seconded by Ms. Healy.  The minutes were approved unanimously.

Logue Subdivision – Final Subdivision

Mr. Ragan reported that this is a 2 lot subdivision that is being subdivided to create a leg lot to place a house in front of existing house on property.  The Logues are asking for waivers under the following SALDO sections:

  • §2-404.C – deals with doing a Site Context Map;
  • §2-404.D – deals with doing an Existing Resources and Site Analysis Plan;
  • §2-404.E. – deals with doing a Final Resource Impact and Conservation Plan;
  • §2-404.F(13) – deals with placing concrete monuments;
  • §2-503.12 – deals with making repairs to the Pennock Bridge Road; and
  • §2-523.1-4 – deals with placing concrete monuments.

Ms. Healy asked if anyone checked to see if this was a residual lot and Mr. Ragan advised that it is not, and White Clay Lane has been there since the 1970’s so we’re probably safe for lot averaging purposes.   Mr. Barto reported that the Township is going to use a PennDOT truck to pave and widen Pennock Bridge Road.  Impact fees were questioned; Mr. Ragan stated that it is in the Ordinance that we can require applicant to do improvements to frontage or request fees in lieu of.  Mr. Ragan does not oppose any of the above waivers; Ken Crossan would like the Planning Commission to act on the waivers and if they are acceptable, they would ask for conditional approval.  The Road Enhancement Committee is going out next Wednesday, 4/16/08 and it was decided and agreed to table everything until next month’s meeting.

New London Ventures

It was discussed that there will be a meeting to look at the improvements at the intersection of State Road & 896.

New London Village/Stanwell Tract – Preliminary Plan Review

Mr. Ragan met with the engineer, Alan Love earlier today who was unaware of issues of contracts on land.  Mr. Love assured Mr. Ragan that they are trying to get contracts back and move forward.   An audience member asked that if current developers back out, can someone else buy the project and pick up where Mr. Love left off and Mr. Ragan responded that would be no problem.    If the contracts do not get back in place, they don’t have the right to be before the Planning Commission presenting a plan anyway; they must be an equitable owner to pursue it further.

DDM/Marshall

Mr. Ragan advised that the project is being held up due to sewage issues and they also need to renegotiate the deal for Conard Mill Road.  Mr. Weber said  that the Township paved the road  and put in a swale.

A-Plus/Sunoco

Mr. Ragan advised that some testimony was given at the Zoning Hearing on 4/7/08, but the Hearing was then continued to 4/17/08.  The Conditional Use hearing is scheduled for 4/29/08.  The Planning Commission will make comments at the Conditional Use Hearing.  Mr. Ragan said that at the 4/24/08 workshop meeting, issues will be discussed relating to pumps in front of the station, rear yard setbacks and having less than 2 acres.

New Business

None.

Public Comments

None.

Adjournment

On a motion made by Mr. Weber and seconded by Ms. Steel and approved unanimously, the meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.