TOWNSHIP OF SALISBURY
LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES

7:30 PM
May 8, 2007

A Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission of the Township of Salisbury was held on the above date at the Township Municipal Building located at 2900 South Pike Avenue, Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Present were Commissioners Beck, Hebelka, Schreiter, Hassick, Snyder and Licht. Also present were Attorney Ashley, Township Solicitor; Mr. Best, Director of Planning & Zoning; and Mr. Jeremie Schadler, representative of the Alternate Township Engineer.

CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Beck called the meeting to order.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
April 10, 2007
Mr. Licht noted a correction on Page 2. The correction to the partial waiver request for the depth-of-well should read: “Mr. Licht made a motion, to the extent that a waiver is required, to approve the partial waiver requested to SALDO Section 10.8.B.2 (depth of well) because of it being consistent with the intent of the SALDO.”

On motion of Mr. Hassick, seconded by Mr. Licht, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the April 10, 2007 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes with the above-noted changes.

Consideration of the Bruce H. Uhl Major Subdivision Plan. Property located at 3109 Birchwood Drive, Allentown, PA 18103 in a C-R, Conservation Residential Zoning District. Eight (8) sheets – plan revised April 13, 2007.

Present were Erich Schock, counsel, of Fitzpatrick, Lentz, & Bubba; Harry Garman, engineer, of Barry Isset & Associates; and Bruce Uhl, developer.

Mr. Schadler highlighted the Alternate Township Engineer’s review letter dated May 1, 2007.

Mr. Best read his review comments listed in a memo dated May 3, 2007.

Attorney Schock provided copies of notices that had been sent to the adjacent property owners with respect to monitoring their wells during the well testing process. He explained that they are agreeable to the comments and noted that they still have to complete the well testing.

Wayne and Denise Deangelis of 2839 Dewalt Street stated that they are still opposed to the subdivision. He noted that they have hired Mr. Bruce Haigh, engineer, to represent their interests in this matter.

Mr. Bruce Haigh cited a section of the February 2007 Planning Commission Minutes relating to statements made by the land surveyor Mr. Robert Peligian. Mr. Haigh noted that the Bascom & Seiger survey map had been revised on February 20, 2006. He stated that the steep slopes for Lot 1 that were present on prior plans had mysteriously disappeared on the preliminary plan submitted by the developer in November 2006. He noted that the lot previously had steep slopes that were 12 to 15 percent. He commented that the steep slopes going from Lot 2 into Lot 6 have also disappeared. He stated that he never questioned or objected to the boundary or topographic survey performed by Bascom & Sieger. He stated what he is saying is that no one has ever properly applied Section 505 of the Township’s Zoning Ordinance to the proposed plan. He stated that in January he had taken the December plans and calculated the steep slopes and provided it to the Planning & Zoning Director. He stated that Lots 1, 2 and 6 each would have to be a minimum of 2.5 acres. He stated that he had used a mechanical plenometer to perform the calculations. He stated that Lots 1 and 6 may have to be 4 acres each. He noted that when he contacted Hanover Engineering’s office, they had indicated that they are only reviewing the Barry Issett & Associates plan. He commented that the plans do not have all of the steep slopes mapped on them. He questioned how could steep slopes that were 12 – 15% disappear and he cited the square footage of each lot.

Mr. Haigh recommended that the road right-of-way be 50 feet from Mr. McNally’s house. He suggested that the Planning Commission and the applicant should look at an open space design which may mean the reduction of a lot or two, but would help to reduce the stormwater issues and drastically reduce infrastructure costs. He commented that there are no defined channels for handling the stormwater. He requested that the Planning Commission follow his recommendations listed in his May 7, 2007 letter and asked that the Township Engineer review the Bascom & Seiger steep slopes in relation to the proposed development.

Mr. Uhl explained that with respect to his home which is located on Lot 1, the area had been regraded when a pool went in.

There was a brief discussion with respect to revising the plans to reflect the steep slopes. Attorney Schock indicated that they will do what the Township ordinances require.

Kevin McNally of 3113 Birchwood Drive asked several questions and noted that his two wells are not identified on the plan. He inquired about how close his wells are to the infiltration basins and about the reason the setback for his property from the road is not documented on the plan.

Mr. Haigh pointed out that the Zoning Ordinance indicates that the road has to be 50 feet from Mr. McNally’s dwelling. He inquired whether the well would be designed to DEP’s recommended standards and he made recommendations on the well depth testing and cited resources for obtaining information on well construction standards.

Jane Benning of 3111 Douglas Road expressed her concerns with granting waivers for developments that occur in environmentally sensitive areas. She inquired about safety concerns for the proposed drainage trenches. She noted that there were a number of septic systems and wells that had to be redone in the neighborhood and listed other environmental concerns. She cautioned that the Township be more aware when putting in additional septic systems or removing trees in environmentally sensitive areas.

On motion of Mr. Hebelka, seconded by Mr. Snyder, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to table the Bruce H. Uhl Major Subdivision Plan.

ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned.