FORKS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION The Forks Township meeting was held at 7:00 PM at the Forks Township Municipal Building, 1606 Sullivan Trail. Pledge of Allegiance Attendance: Members Present: Vito Tamborrino, Chairman Carl Dicker, Vice Chairman Larry Kitson Dean Turner, Secretary Eric Konecke Georgeann Wambold Scott Muller, Township Engineer Wendy Nicolosi, Solicitor Tim Weis, Construction/Zoning Official Absent: Robert Rusnak Minutes of Previous Meeting: Chairman Vito Tamborrino asked if there were any corrections to the minutes of January 26 th, 2016 There being no corrections to the minutes Georgeann Wambold made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted; seconded by Carl Dicker. Vote Called: 5 0 1 Reports/ not agenda items: Tim Weis said due to all the trouble with the netbooks he has a proposal from Verizon to present to the board of supervisors for the purchase of new I-pads for the members to access the server for drawings. Solicitor Wendy Nicolosi said as a follow-up to the workshop and the discussion of the zoning changes she is asking if it is the board s desire for her to prepare a draft ordinance for the next meeting for recommendation to move this along to the supervisors. Dean Turner made a motion to direct the solicitor to put together the zoning provisions for the Planning Commission to review to move the process along; seconded by Larry Kitson. 1
Public Comment: None CONDITIONAL USES: BROWNSTONE FOOD PRODUCTS/STEPHEN PANY, PE Eric Schott approached the podium and said they are in attendance just for the conditional use portion which will consist of an 8000 square foot building off of Braden Blvd. and the use is food processing center. Spoke of two specific requirements for food processing for foods and crepes and baking products. Also spoke of off street parking, storage on the premises, employee parking, deliveries, vehicles would not be stored on the premises, general requirements, proper site planning, design, land development plan process, no hazardous chemicals, natural features, compliance with other laws, and said the relief is the conditional use. Steve Pany said the traffic they are proposing around 200 trips, 10 acres, parcel, and will meet all general criteria and township ordinance. Chairman Tamborrino then asked how this is going to function and asked for a description of the process. Mr. Schott spoke of the 50 foot tall silos for flour; one with milk, truck delivery; one per day shipped from facility, product lines going north and south, freezer section, 90% of product will be frozen, offices, utility room, use of minimal water; at end of day there is a wash down; sanitizing, cleaning process, designated loading spaces and shipping spaces, room to double production and plenty of room for parking, dust collectors reducing dust in air, floor drains, and the access road Brennan Way stub road; not part of the conditional use. Carl Dicker made a motion to approve the conditional use with no conditions; seconded by Dean Turner OLD BUSINESS: 1. PHEASANT RIDGE V MAJOR SUBDIVISION/PRELIMINARY (3/8/16) EUGENE WEBER, PE (FINELLI CONSULTING ENGINEERS) TIME EXTENSION Tim Weis said he contacted the developer and said we have not received a time extension to date; last date of extension was October 14, 2014 and no work has been done. Dean Turner asked if we can put a recommendation for denial and put a condition in there that we would like to hear from them it s been over a year and no activity. Solicitor Wendy Nicolosi spoke of denial, extension, and empty lots. Scott Muller said they cannot build any more homes until they finish the streets and lights. Dean Turner made a motion to deny based on the October 14 th 2014 letter unless a time extension is offered with the recommendation that this is the last time we will offer a time extension; seconded by Larry Kitson. 2. MARY P LAUER/LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT (3/9/16) BASE ENGINEERING INC TIME EXTENSION 2
Tim Weis said we received a time extension for a 60 day extension the new date would be May 8 th, 2016. Dean Turner made a motion to table; secondeed by Georgeann Wambold 3. POLYKOTE EXPANSION/LAND DEVELOPMENT (3/9/16) STEPHEN A. PANY, PE (PANY & LENTZ ENGINEERING) Steve Pany approached the podium and offered a time extension for 60 days; the new date will be May 8 th, 2016. Dean Turner made a motion to table; seconded by Larry Kitson. 4. KOST AUTO SERVICE CENTER/LAND DEV. (3/6/16) RAY BARTOLAI,PE (PANY & LENTZ ENG.) Steve Pany said he is representing the Kost Auto Service and was requesting a preliminary engineering approval. He said that things are finally moving along, site easements have been obtained from the two southernly neighbors, the HOP (Highway Occupancy Permit) has gone into Penndot today, he said regarding drainage that has been handled to the satisfaction of the township engineer, there are some outstanding items from outside agencies however for the most part and is ready for preliminary engineer approval. He said they are asking for a waiver on the exit sign; 16 feet wide; no provision for driveway with less than 20 feet in SALDO. He explained the plans and spoke of providing sidewalk to the end of site, access and egress, PennDot requested that the project be aligned with Sullivan Trail, bull nose be included in their intersection, sidewalk along Sullivan Trail, narrowing the driveway as the exit only, striping; not mountable curb, just painted, neighbors two way traffic, tie ins. Chairman Tamborrino went over the review letter of February 8 th 2016 and the comments from Gilmore Associates. Spoke of providing and expanding roadway and provide a closure report, site distance, stop bar, broad easement, location of site line; and private drive, and signage. Waiver # 4: Provide 16 driveway rather than 20 Larry Kitson made a motion to recommend approving the waiver; seconded by Georgeann Wambold. Chairman Tamborrino continued going over the review letter Public Comment: 3
Sandi Green 1515 Sullivan Trail: Spoke of the sidewalks and said there is no sidewalk on their side of the street which she thought was previously agreed upon; discussion ensued on this issue as well as the concern on safety issues of the children crossing the street for the bus. Also spoke of other agencies that need to approve this such as Easton Area Joint Sewer Authority, Northampton County Conservation District, PennDot, LVPC and fire department, also spoke of easements, utility poles, speed limits, obstructions and site triangles, Mrs. Green also asked if any of the Churchman property has been sold which was not. Larry Kitson made a motion for conditional approval based on Gilmore & Associates letter with the approval of the waiver; seconded by Georgeann Wambold. 5. BROWNSTONE LAND DEVELOPMENT (3/6/16) STEPHEN PANY (PANY & LENTZ ENGINEERING) Steve Pany asked for a 60 day time extension Georgeann Wambold made a motion to approve the time extension and table; seconded by Carl Dicker NEW BUSINESS: 1. BI-STATE EQUIPMENT RENTAL/MINOR SUBDIVISION DANIEL WITCZAK, PE (ACELA ENGINEERING) Daniel Witczak from Acela Engineering approached the podium and said he was in attendance to present a small project for a lot line adjustment; which is a minor subdivision. This is a twentynine acre partial owned by Bi-State equipment rental located on the North side of Uhler Road; near the Northfolk Southern railroad tracks and the Bushkill Creek on the west and a seven acre tract owned by the Self-Storage Center. He said they are looking at shifting the lot line to help the Self-Storage Center expand their business in the future and giving them 1.7 acres of land. He said they are looking for a couple waivers not to have to show natural features across the property, and waiver on the water line as well. The self-storage facility will be coming in when they are ready for a land development plan. Chairman Tamborrino asked Mr. Muller of the waiver request; Scott said the details on their plans are fine however they have to show the water and sewer lines; we know where they are so the understands the two partials involved. The board then reviewed the plan with Mr. Witczak, spoke of water and sewer line features being shown; this is the first plan issued, Mr. Witczak asked that Mr. Muller hold up on the review until self-storage decides if they need more land; if so they will have to shift the line a little bit here and there; however Mr. Muller said not much would change during the review that is not an issue. Also discussed floodplain, and natural features. 4
Larry Kitson made a motion to table; seconded by Carl Dicker Discussed a map review, Scott Muller has compiled some pictures on the trails for the board to look at, crossings, signage along trails, gates, buildings and grounds, tree lines to connect down to Newlins Road, and access to drop box, EXECUTIVE SESSION: None Adjournment: There being nothing further to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM Minutes transcribed by recording Debi Knesz, Administrative Assistant 5