MINUTES of MEETING

Durham Township Planning Commission

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Township Building Meeting Room

 

Attendees:           Ken Klein, Pete Thomson, Tom Harbin, George Helwig, Lois Oleksa, & Jim Pavlica and

Cindy Skoriak

 

Quorum:             Yes

 

Secretary:           Joseph M. Kulick

 

Absent:               

 

Township Zoning Officer Peter Bent and Township Engineer Scott Mease were also present.

 

Meeting called to order by Chairman Ken Klein at 7:36 PM.  All in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.

 

Approval of Minutes from 04-06-2010 Meeting:  

Pete Thomson made a motion to accept the Minutes; Jim Pavlica questioned the wording on his comments on the interior road on the AT&T plan. He did not like the word “validity”. Change minutes to “the interior road is a non-issue”.  Also change...his comments to add “is there an additional van box”.   On another comment change “Old Trading Post” to “Sofia Weiss’ house”.  Pete Thomson then amended his original motion to accept the minutes as amended.  Jim Pavlica then seconded the amended motion and all agreed.  Minutes approved as amended.  

 

New Business: 

 

Bucks County Conservation District Memorandum of Understanding:

 

Zoning Officer Peter Bent presented a document received from the county with the above title.  He requested the commission to offer their opinions.  Since the document basically outlines the duties and responsibilities of the county and township that are already in force and effect; Jim Pavlica made a motion to recommend approval to the Board of Supervisors and Cindy Skoriak seconded the motion.  All agreed and motion passed.  There were no further comments and/or questions.

 

Old Business:

 

D&L Scenic Byway Comment (not on agenda):

 

Pete Thomson commented that the planning commission had earlier recommended approval of the scenic byway and that the board of supervisors had voted to not support the project.  In their denial the supervisors commented that the planning commission recommended approval; but did not submit a list of reasons why the supervisors should approve the designation.  Pete Thomson questioned if the commission should now forward this list to the supervisors.  Township Manager Joe Kulick informed the commission that upon further investigation; the availability of grant money for local municipalities is non-existent for the immediate future.  Chairman Ken Klein will draft a letter to the supervisor’s outlining the reasons.  There were no further comments or questions.

 

Zoning Ordinance Update:

 

The Chairman noted the planning commission members held a “work session” on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at 7:30 PM in the township building.  Neighboring zoning ordinances were reviewed. Sections 3 & 4 of the Springfield zoning ordinance were reviewed (members agreed to utilize this ordinance as a template).  We will change their AD Zone wording to our new RAP Zone (and refer to the Springfield document as the Durham Draft Zoning Ordinance).    Jim Pavlica suggested including our existing definitions to the draft list of definitions, reviewing all definitions very carefully to avoid any confusion.  Pete Thomson suggested a somewhat quick review of the entire document to determine its suitability for use by Durham.

 

Chairman Ken Klein quickly reviewed the results of the April 20th work session:

  1. Change Titles & Page Numbers to match our existing Articles
  2. Definition of Title (Page 1) very similar to ours okay to include as written
  3. Animal Equivalent Units (AEUs) on Page 7 okay to include
  4. Names of Districts (Page 25) change to our district names to include RAP in lieu of RP
  5. Overlay zoning districts (page 25) add “Carbonate Geology Area”; Steep Slope District; eliminate: Scenic Overlay; Source Water Protection Overlay District; Wellhead Protection Overlay District; keep Floodplain Overlay, Cooks Creek and Historic Resources Overlay.
  6. Purposes of Districts: (page 26) Change existing AD to RAP
  7. Use Regulations (page29) add our Table of Uses;
  8. Uses Not Specifically Addressed (page 29) Peter Bent wants removed?  Keep.
  9. Agricultural Uses (page 30) Jim Pavlica to review
  10. A-3 Forestry (page 31) Keep  except on page 34 remove (h)
  11. A-4 Greenhouse (page 37) add the term “commercial” buildings...leave at 5acres
  12. A-5 Intensive Agriculture (page 37) Keep as-is
  13. A-6 Kennel (page 38) New State Law?  Change Section 508 (b) to Section 507
  14. A-7 Nursery (on page 39) (a)Change 15 acres to 5 acres and (c) change parking to match our present zoning requirements under A2 Nursery on page 4-5.
  15. A-8 Riding Academy (page 39) (c) change two (2) adult horses to one (1)
  16. Remainder up to B. Residential Uses (page 42) okay as written.

 

Next “work session” to be held on Tuesday, 05-25-2010 at 7:30 PM in the township building. There were no further comments or questions. 

 

Comments / Questions from the Floor:

 

None

 

Closing:

 

A motion to Adjourn was made by Jim Pavlica and seconded by George Helwig, all were in favor.  Meeting adjourned at @9:24 PM.  Next public meeting is scheduled for 06-01-2010.

 

Minutes Submitted By:  Joseph M. Kulick, Recording Secretary

Minutes APPROVED at 06-01-2010 Meeting