MINUTES of MEETING

Durham Township Planning Commission

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Township Building Meeting Room

 

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

Jim Pavlica

 

Quorum:             Yes

 

Secretary:           Joseph M. Kulick

 

Absent:                Cindy Skoriak 

 

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

 

Audience:  None

 

Meeting called to order by Chairman Ken Klein at 7:37 PM.  All in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.

 

Approval of Minutes from 11-01-2009 Meeting:  

Tom Harbin made a motion to accept the Minutes as presented; Jim Pavlica seconded the motion and all agreed.  Minutes approved as submitted.  

 

Old Business:

 

Zoning Ordinance Update: RAP District

 

Township Engineer Scott Mease presented and reviewed a sample plan from a previous development in another township, where the basic principle of Agricultural Preservation was incorporated.  The plan integrated the basic 60 % soil preservation theory, the same criteria that Durham is considering as a basic frame work for our proposed RAP District.  It included a total of 44 acres with 33 acres buildable, an 1100’ cul-de-sac (waiver requested) and 10 building lots. Several questions were presented by the commission and answered by Scott Mease. 

 

After a very through discussion on the presented plan; Chairman Ken Klein proposed a plan to speed-up the process to develop the Durham Township RAP District guidelines.  He suggested sending a letter to the board of supervisors, containing several points that have been discussed so far by the planning commission, requesting their thoughts and direction. 

 

With the approval of the members; Jim Pavlica then made a motion for the secretary to formulate a letter containing seven (7) line items for the supervisors’ consideration and response, as factors for the framework of the proposed RAP District:

  1. All existing land features with a higher protection factor, i.e. steep slopes, wetlands, Etc. would be exempt from inclusion in preserved area.
  2. Sixty (60%) percent of the parcel would be employed as the soil protection area (preserved area) standard.
  3. One (1) new or existing free-standing single-family farm residence, with agricultural out-buildings, would be a permitted use on the 60% preserved portion of the parcel.
  4. The protected area will be a contiguous area with a minimum width of 200’.
  5. The 60% preserved area will be defined as “agricultural use” only (with no further subdivision permitted).
  6. A minimum lot size of ten (10) acres to require the 60% soil protection area.
  7. Lot sizes on the remaining 40% tract will be a minimum of one (1) acre or more. 

Additional requirements may be developed at a later date. Pete Thomson seconded the motion and the remaining members all agreed.  Motion passed.  Joe Kulick will develop a letter to the board of supervisors containing the above seven (7) points of interest for their comment.  There were no further comments or questions on this matter. 

 

New Business:  None Presented

 

 

Comments / Questions from the Floor: 

Zoning Officer Peter Bent noted the local community center development group will be meeting on 12-14-09 at 7PM in the township meeting room for any interested parties.

 

Closing:

 

A motion to Adjourn was made by George Helwig and seconded by Tom Harbin, all were in favor.  Meeting adjourned at @8:57 PM.  Next meeting is scheduled for 01-05-2010.

 

Minutes Submitted By:  Joseph M. Kulick, Recording Secretary

Minutes APPROVED at January 05, 2010 Meeting