PRESENT – Chairman McMenamin, Vice Chair Kline, Member Smith, Member Farnen, Assistant Borough Secretary DeRenzis, Engineer Foley, Borough Planner Kennedy, and County Planner Miklos were present.
CALL TO ORDER – Chairman McMenamin called the March 12, 2024, Planning Commission Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Chaiman McMenamin led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 13, 2024, MEETING MINUTES – Member Smith made a motion to approve the February 13, 2024, Meeting minutes. Motion was seconded by Vice Chair Kline, all ayes. Motion carried 3-0 with 1 abstention as Chairman McMenamin was excused from the meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
410 N. YORK ROAD – SUBDIVISION DISCUSSION –
Anthony Palladino, property owner/applicant, submitted a sketch plan and a subdivision/land development application to subdivide the property into two lots and is proposing another duplex on the 2nd lot which is permitted in the R-4 district.
Planner Kennedy stated a two-family dwelling is either a twin (side by side) or a duplex (one on top of the other) and these two types of dwellings have different lot sizes, etcetera, and asked for clarification of what is existing. Mr. Palladino stated that the two existing units are side by side. Planner Kennedy stated that each lot should be 4000 square feet and before he can move forward, he has to create two lots that are 4000 square feet for the existing dwelling. If it were a duplex, then it would be 7000 square feet total for the lot. He stated that existing has to be brought to conformance before he can create a new lot. He also stated that the applicant will have to go to PennDOT before he makes a driveway on York Road which can be challenging. Planner Kennedy suggested he should have his engineer go back and make sure he can meet the standards to comply with the ordinance as his existing structure is non confirming and he has to subdivide the current dwelling first. Mr. Palladino stated that he will go back to his architect and will come back to the Planning Commission with the information Planner Kennedy requested in order to move forward with his project.
21-23 & 37 S. YORK ROAD RESUBMISSION DISCUSSION-
Ed Murphy, applicant’s attorney, demonstrated and explained his revised resubmission which addressed all feedback from the professionals and the public.
George Hartman, project engineer, explained all the changes that were made on the site per the professionals’ comments and public feedback, for example he added some islands and more trees/shrubbery.
Bruce, project architect, statedhe explained the changes that were made per feedback which demonstrated the traditional pitched roof and change of color palette on the 3rd floor.
Planner Kennedy stated that the applicant has reduced the number of waivers and was in support of them.
PUBLIC COMMENT –
Merrie Keller, 110 W. Monument Avenue, stated the building has a lot of white on only one side of the building and asked if it could be changed to match the rest of the top of the third floor all around because it doesn’t look even.
Gary Hentschel, 138 Spring Avenue, was concerned about stormwater management because where he lives is where all the water ends up and causes flooding. Planner Kennedy stated that RVE has reviewed the stormwater management plans and were approved. Mr. Hartman stated that currently there is no stormwater management at all on the property and that it is in the plans to add, and it will make it better.
Kathy McGeary, 40 Franklin Avenue, asked for a projected timeline for the start of construction and Mr. Murphy stated that they hope to begin mid to late summer.
VOTING
Member Smith made a motion to approve the Preliminary and Final Land Development plans contingent on compliance with the comments on the review letters from Engineer Goff, Borough Planner Kennedy, and County Planner Miklos. Motion was seconded by Member Farnen, all ayes. Motion carried 4-0.
Member Smith made a motion to accept the waivers requested by the applicant. Moton was seconded by Member Farnen, all ayes. Motion carried 4-0.
ADJOURNMENT – Member Smith made a motion to adjourn the March 12, 2024, Planning Commission Meeting. Motion was seconded by Vice Chair Kline, all ayes. Motion carried 4-0. Chairman McMenamin adjourned the March 12, 2024, Planning Commission meeting at 7:54 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted by:
Diane C. Hegele, Borough Manager/Zoning Officer/ Open Records Officer
Transcribed by Cindy Bollendorf, Recording Secretary