MINUTES of MEETING

Durham Township Planning Commission

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Township Building Meeting Room

Attendees:             Don Ratushny, Jim Pavlica, Pete Thomson, George Helwig and Cindy Skoriak

Quorum:               Yes

Secretary:             Joseph M. Kulick

Absent:                  Ken Klein

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

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

Approval of Minutes from 05-01-2007 Meeting: (No June Meeting)

George Helwig made a motion to accept the Minutes as presented; Jim Pavlica seconded the motion and all agreed.  Minutes Approved as presented.

New Business:

Sprint/Nextel Conditional Use Application Review:

Attorney Edward Wild representing Sprint/Nextel reviewed the application proposing the installation of six (6) additional cellular telecommunications antennas to the previously approved existing three (3) antennas, along with additional equipment cabinets at the base.  Also in attendance were Phil Burtner, Engineer; Bob Altenbauch, Site Representative/Consultant; and Amrendiz Mann, RF Engineer. 

Attorney Ed Wild advised the Commission that they “will comply” with all of the comments on the Township Engineers Review Letter of July 02, 2007.   Township Engineer Scott Mease noted that most of the requirements (easements, leases) were presented and approved at the prior 2001 Conditional Use Hearing and the setting remains the same.  He (Mease) stressed the need for the applicant to submit a “Structural Analysis” to support the additional weight of the six (6) antennas.  Attorney Ed Wild then presented the Commission with copies of the structural report.  Scott Mease will review the document and issue a report to the Board of Supervisors for the hearing on July 19, 2007.

George Helwig questioned if the antenna are grounded in the event of a lightning strike.  Engineer Phil Burtner commented yes and that he has never heard of any equipment damage caused by lightning.  Pete Thomson asked since cellular traffic will be increased what additional land lines will be required.  Phil Burton noted additional existing T-1 lines will be employed.  Cindy Skoriak inquired if Sprint Data Service will be offered over this system. Standard data service will be available. Secretary Joe Kulick noted that all surrounding property owners (16) were notified of the application by US Mail by the township. (No residents were in attendance).

Zoning Officer Peter Bent read aloud the Conditional Use Zoning Ordinance.  He recommended approval of the application contingent on compliance with the engineers review letter of 07-02-07.  The Chairman asked if anyone had any additional comments and/or questions.  There were none.

Jim Pavlica made a motion to recommend approval of the application to the Board of Supervisors, upon compliance with Engineers Review Letter of July 02, 2007 and correcting of listed names of owners on the plan.  The motion was seconded by Pete Thomson and agreed to by all members.  Motion passed.

Old Business:

None Presented

Comments / Questions from the Floor:

None Presented

Closing:

A motion to Adjourn was made by Pete Thomson and seconded by Jim Pavlica, all were in favor.  Meeting adjourned at @8:02 PM.

Minutes Submitted By:  Joseph M. Kulick, Recording Secretary