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January 8, 2008   CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION GREAT VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL, 7:30 P.M. January 8, 2008 Present: Andy Motel, Chairman, Mike Allen, Vice Chairman (arrived later), Sarah Peck (arrived later), Michael Churchill, June Gorman, Rick Reis, Wendy Leland, Surender Kohli, P.E., Tom Comitta, and Linda Csete. Also Present: Kevin Kuhn, Brian McCarthy Call to Order: 7:37 P.M. Announcements - none Reorganization Mr. Motel called for nominations for the position of Chairman of the Planning Commission for 2008. Mrs. Leland nominated Andy Motel for Chairman and Mr. Churchill seconded. There being none further, Mr. Motel closed the nominations. He called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote, and all were in favor. Mr. Motel called for nominations for the position of Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission for 2008. Mrs. Leland nominated Michael Allen for Vice Chairman and Mr. Motel seconded. There being none further, Mr. Motel closed the nominations. He called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote, and all were in favor. The meeting schedule for 2008 was set for the second Tuesday of the month, with the fourth Tuesday in reserve to be scheduled as needed, to be held at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154, at 7:30 P.M. Mr. Motel encouraged the Planning Commission members to attend the Board of Supervisors hearing on the TND ordinance on January 22, 2008. Approval of Minutes December 11, 2007 Minutes Mrs. Gorman made the following corrections: Page 2, penultimate paragraph, insert "no" into "as it (no) longer applies" Page 3, first paragraph, remove "that" from "referred him to that section 1504.A" Page 3, under comments for Section 403.C.6, insert "were" into "Street tree program requirements (were) deleted" With these changes, Mr. Churchill moved to approve the Dec. 11, 2007 minutes and Mr. Reis seconded. Mr. Motel called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor. PennDOT and Turnpike Issues Related to the Proposed TND Mr. Motel referred to the meeting he attended at Mr. Kohli's office with PennDOT, Mike Allen, Wendy Leland and Perry Morgan last month, saying it went well. Mr. Morgan is finalizing sketches relating to PennDOT design issues and will present them at the February 12th meeting. Mr. Motel said the Turnpike Commission will be invited, and asked Mr. Kohli to extend an invitation to Mr. Fellin and Mr. Profit at PennDOT. He said he also asked Mr. Morgan to contact Penn State for student help in designing and installing a bio-swale on the Fillippo property abutting the turnpike opposite Whitehorse Road. Mr. Churchill recommended getting Mr. Morgan's sketches to all parties prior to the February 12th meeting, as PennDOT's timeline is short, and Mr. Motel agreed he would try to do so. Update on Zoning and SLDO Definitions Mr. Motel asked Mr. Comitta for an update on the revised definitions for the zoning and subdivision ordinances. Mr. Comitta said he sent all the corrections to the solicitor, Mark Thompson, on December 21st, and Mr. Comitta will meet with him on January 11th for feedback to be forwarded to the Planning Commission. Mr. Motel asked that it be circulated in advance of the February 12th meeting. Mr. Comitta said there had been a suggestion to combine definitions for both ordinances into one set, but both Mr. McErlane and Mr. Thompson recommended they remain separate. TND Sub-Committees and Participation Mr. Motel said Mr. Allen plans to participate on the Design Review Committee for the TND once the ordinance is passed, which will take up a lot of his time. Therefore, he asked the remaining Planning Commission members to select areas of interest in the list of subcommittees he created, with one lead committee member and one secondary. Other members will be called on as needed. The committees were formed as follows: PennDOT Issues: Lead: Wendy Leland, Secondary: Andy Motel, Mike Allen Pedestrian walkway under Turnpike Cross walk locations and construction/look Traffic calming issues Curb look and bulb outs Whitehorse Road Boulevard cross section Parking style and location on Whitehorse and elsewhere Crossover Blvd: look ad location Traffic signals: type Traffic signals: location (lights and stop signs) Traffic signs: type, location Detention basin/Orphan lot (PSU help) Burying utilities - to be handled separately by Sarah Peck Railroad crossing on the cross over blvd. Intersection created on Route 29 by Crossover Blvd. Turnpike Issues: Secondary: Andy Motel Appearance Lighting Timing Mr. Motel asked for suggestions on additional Turnpike issues. He said he'd like to talk with the Turnpike Commission about enhancing the appearance. Mr. Reis suggested the need for access from their right of way to the Horseshoe Trail. Mr. Churchill said there may be water issues from the slip ramp construction, and Mr. Motel said due to a recent commonwealth court decision, it's his understanding that the Turnpike Commission will have to come to the Township for approval on the portions of the slip ramp located in Charlestown. Mr. Kohli said the Turnpike Commission has received DEP approval, and that the portion in Charlestown is all aerial, with only pylons to be constructed. Mr. Comitta suggested considering the need for screening under the raised ramp. Municipal Building/Needs: Lead: June Gorman, Secondary: Michael Churchill Location Size Users Tenants/Commercial Rentals LEED Certified Mr. Motel said he'd like to have tenants for the municipal building. Mrs. Gorman asked if the Post Office was a possibility, and Mr. Kuhn said they currently have a long-term lease for the Devault Building. Mr. Motel said they should also consider the county's needs for space. Mrs. Gorman said she'd like to consider aesthetics along with the other items. Mr. Comitta said he can contact Carolyn Williams at New Morgan Borough, who did extensive research on municipal buildings when they built theirs. Mr. Motel suggested moving item #5 from the Recreation subcommittee list (recreation building) to this group. Mr. Comitta said that in Caln Village, a surcharge was incorporated into the approval that allows for an additional full time police officer for the area. Mr. Churchill said boroughs can do this through a special services district, but he's not sure if a second class township can do the same. State Police and Substation Issues: Lead: Andy Motel, As Needed: Michael Churchill; Partner with the Supervisors Chairman Commitment Needs for building Recreation/Railroad Issues: Lead: Rick Reis, Secondary: Michael Churchill Bike/hike plan Norfolk Southern Ball fields in Area 2: who maintains, who pays Tot lots, green space in all other areas: who can use, who must maintain Recreation Building: If "yes", then: size, location (Perry), LEED Mr. Motel suggested moving item #5, Recreation Building, to the Municipal Building subcommittee list. Mr. Comitta suggested adding a subcommittee for the Design Review Committee, with Mike Allen as lead. (Mr. Allen arrived at this time.) Other Business Spring Township Tour The Planning Commission scheduled a Spring Road Tour for Saturday, March 1, 2008 meeting at the Township office at 9:00 A.M. and expected to take about three hours. (Ms. Peck arrived at this time.) 2008 Planning Commission Budget Mr. Kuhn said the Planning Commission exceeded its budget last year by 85% and with a tight budget for 2008, better management of costs will be a necessity. He acknowledged that the TND ordinance work in 2007 was a huge task contributing to the overage. The budget for 2008 is the same as for 2007, $50,000. If that limit is reached before the end of the year, the Planning Commission will be told to cease activities. Mr. Churchill asked who will be paying for Design Review Committee (DRC) costs, and Mr. Kuhn said the applicant. Mr. Motel agreed this would be the applicant's responsibility. Mr. Kuhn asked Mr. Comitta to reduce copying costs by providing documents in electronic format, perhaps by posting on a website similar to the way the regional planning commission's consultant, Kise, Straw & Kolodner, did for the regional comprehensive plan. A link could be provided from the Township's website. Mr. Comitta said he could do this on his FTP site. Mr. Kuhn also asked that presentations at meetings be made using a projector, citing again the township's need for an electronic-friendly meeting room. Mr. Allen said in some cases, a paper printout is still needed and it would be burdensome for each planning commission member to print their own copies. Mr. Kuhn said in that situation, the township office will provide copies. Mrs. Csete said that the existing fee schedule for plan review needs to be revised, and a section will be needed for DRC review. She'll compare fees from other townships and provide information to the Planning Commission. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Linda M. Csete Planning Commission Secretary

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