MINUTES of MEETING

Durham Township Planning Commission

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Township Building Meeting Room

Attendees:             Ken Klein, Tom Harbin, George Helwig, Lois Oleksa, Jim Pavlica, and Cindy Skoriak

Quorum:               Yes

Secretary:             Joseph M. Kulick

Absent:                  Member Pete Thomson and Township Engineer Scott Mease

Township Zoning Officer Peter Bent was also present.

Audience:  Pinky Koplin

Meeting called to order by Chairman Ken Klein at 7:34 PM.  All in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.

Approval of Minutes from 03-03-2009 Meeting:

Cindy Skoriak requested a correction from several to two maps on page 2; para 1. George Helwig then made a motion to accept the Minutes as corrected; Jim Pavlica seconded the motion and Ken Klein abstained (not present). All agreed.  Minutes approved.

New Business:

Existing Zoning Ordinance & Map Re-Adoption:

Township Manager Joe Kulick advised the commission, on the Board of Supervisors request for the Planning Commission to hold a public hearing, to review our present Zoning Ordinance & Official Zoning Map for official re-adoption.  None of the existing zoning rules & regulations would be changed.  This would also not affect the commissions present updating of the zoning ordinance, which would continue.  New zoning books, containing all amending ordinances, have been ordered from the printers.  When they are received a copy will be sent to the Bucks County Planning Commission for review.  After which a public hearing will be properly advertised and conducted as required.  There were no further comments or questions. 

Old Business:

Zoning Ordinance Update: 

 -Continued Discussion on Major Topic:  Creation of RAP District

Zoning Officer Peter Bent briefly reviewed past discussions regarding the proposed district.  He noted the importance of the soils map provided by the township engineer and the properties containing “prime agricultural soils”.  He suggested identifying a particular parcel containing these prime soils and using it as a sample development for possible 60/40 clustering of homes. 

Joe Kulick posed the question; does larger scale clustering translate into a village center and its relevant zoning?  Tom Harbin felt if the clustering contained many homes, then perhaps a village center with some service type businesses may be in order.  Jim Pavlica agreed if the need existed and it would support the local businesses.  Zoning Officer Peter Bent noted that various village center zoning districts could be created, each with their own guidelines.  Jim Pavlica suggested rather than pre-zoning these village districts in the RAP zone, wait until the need develops and then review the need for local businesses.  Chairman Ken Klein and Lois Oleksa both agreed each individual development plan could be reviewed for the need if they are large enough to support business development.

Chairman Ken Klein once again raised the suggestion of selecting a “preserved” property in the township and developing it into a sample RAP Zone development utilizing previously discussed ideas.  Jim Pavlica suggested the Ulmer properties on Dogwood Lane and the one by the church on Durham & Spring Hill Roads.  All agreed on discussing these properties at next months meeting.     

-Individual Assignments:

Pete Thomson, who was not present at the meeting, supplied a brief report that was read aloud by Joe Kulick.  It included several Karst/carbonate geology maps that were distributed to Cindy & Lois. Cindy Skoriak provided a Karst/carbonate ordinance from Williams Township along with other model ordinances from Lehigh & Northampton Counties to be copied for distribution at next months meeting. Tom Harbin reported on “Sexually Oriented Business” noting that that the model ordinance provided earlier by Scott Mease appears to adequately address all areas of this category.  Chairman Ken Klein reported on his historic district research, noting that he will suggest not incorporating a specific ordinance with harsh restrictions on remodeling, etc.  Joe Kulick read aloud our Comprehensive Plan objectives regarding historic structure preservation; to “document and preserve” existing historic structures via zoning ordinances.  The members agreed to consider a “general” floating historic district with suggestions for homes in this category.  The members also felt that residents in the village center should be invited to attend and provide input at a regular scheduled meeting.  Ken Klein will draft a letter to be sent out to all residents in the village center zoning area inviting them to a meeting.  Lois Oleksa reported on the afforestation/reforestation items.  She noted there are model ordinances on this issue.  She will discuss it further at the upcoming township EAC meeting and report back next month.  Zoning Officer Peter Bent reported briefly on flood plain issues. He noted that our present guidelines are contained in Ordinance 1991-1. Lois Oleksa questioned if the present flood plain maps will be updated.  Peter Bent responded noting that the current 1999 maps are presently being reviewed and will be updated shortly.  Other members had nothing to report at this time.  There were no further comments and/or questions.

Comments / Questions from the Floor:

NONE

Closing:

A motion to Adjourn was made by Tom Harbin and seconded by George Helwig, all were in favor.  Meeting adjourned at @9:02 PM.  Next meeting is scheduled for 05-05-2009.

Minutes Submitted By:  Joseph M. Kulick, Recording Secretary

Minutes Approved:  05-05-2009 Meeting