MINUTES of MEETING
Durham Township Planning Commission
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Township Building Meeting Room
Attendees: Don Ratushny, Ken Klein, Jim Pavlica, Pete Thomson, and Cindy Skoriak
Quorum: Yes
Secretary: Joseph M. Kulick
Absent: George Helwig
Township Zoning Officer Peter Bent and Township Engineer Scott Mease were also present.
Meeting called to order by Chairman Don Ratushny at 7:37 PM. All in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
Approval of Minutes from 07-03-2007 Meeting:
Jim Pavlica made a motion to accept the Minutes as presented; Pete Thomson seconded the motion and all agreed. Minutes Approved as presented. Ken Klein abstained since he was not present at the July meeting.
New Business:
Prescott / Kobren Lot Line Change Preliminary Plan Review #1
Planning Commission Member Cindy Skoriak recused herself from this plan review since she is representing Mr. Kobren as the surveyor of record. Both Mr. Kobren and Mrs. Prescott were also present. Cindy Skoriak advised the commission that Mr. Kobren, owner of a 0.592 acre parcel located between Old Furnace Road and Route 212, wishes to extend his property by purchasing 0.698 of land from adjoining landowner Mrs. Prescott via a lot line adjustment. Mrs. Prescott’s parcel would be reduced to 1.4 acres net from 2.3 net acres. Mr. Kobren’s lot would then be 0.9 net acres.
A review of the Township Engineer’s Letter of August 06, 2007 was conducted:
Section C: Zoning Ordinance
1. Reducing the 80 feet buffer to 40 feet was discussed. Township Engineer Scott Mease felt an 80 feet wide buffer may be excessive and recommended the reduction.
Section D: SALDO
1. Neighbor notification sent, copies received by township
2. Man made features within 500 feet (Waiver Requested) Aerial Photo Submitted
3. Natural Features Map: (Waiver Requested) Next revision will include steep slopes. Otherwise, no construction is being proposed.
4. Double Frontage Lots need deed restriction on plan for Old Furnace Rd. access only. (Will Comply)
5. Ultimate right-of-way for Old Furnace Road reduced from 30’ to 25’. (Will Comply) Ultimate right-of-way areas of 212 and Old Furnace shall be dedicated as an easement to Durham Township. (Waiver Requested)
6. Street Improvements (curb, sidewalks, etc.). (Waiver Requested)
7. Property Corner Monuments to be installed. (Will Comply)
Section E: Additional Comments
1. Deed of Consolidation shall be recorded at Courthouse. (Will Comply)
2. Triangular piece of adjacent land ownership should be clarified. (Will be deleted from plan)
3. Waiver request should be modified to eliminate several unnecessary requests (Will Comply)
4. Several drafting items to be corrected. (Will Comply)
Pete Thomson questioned the waiver request in number D5 regarding easements for expanding the road right-of-way. Zoning Officer Peter Bent interjected the need for stating a valid reason for any waiver requests. Cindy Skoriak replied to the question stating that no further construction is planned. Mr. Kobren also responded noting since he was not increasing the density by adding homes, or additional vehicle traffic, he did not feel the township needed to expand or widen the roadways. Scott Mease explained the need of the township may be to install additional drainage pipes, etc. in this right-of-way and not just to widen the road.
Chairman Don Ratushny questioned the (D3) Natural Features waiver request and would any future construction require the submission of natural features. Note to be added to revised plan. Scott Mease commented that any future construction would require a plan showing such features. He (Ratushny) also questioned the ownership of the previously mentioned “triangular parcel” on the plan. The Chairman questioned Cindy Skoriak on the possibility of obtaining additional land to establish a “conforming lot” for Mr. Kobren. The Zoning Officer explained the advantages of a “conforming lot”. The idea will be considered by the applicants.
Scott Mease reviewed the Bucks County Planning Commission Review Letter Comment No. 6: Requirement for a Drainage Easement. He (Mease) felt there may not be a need since the watercourse is only active during a rain event.
Cindy Skoriak will submit a revised plan incorporating the recommended changes; to be reviewed at next months Planning Commission meeting. There were no further comments or questions.
Old Business:
Wendie Johnson Land Development Final Plan Review
Zoning Officer Peter Bent provided an overview of the plan and its past history. He (Bent) noted the Township Engineer’s Review Letter of July 06, 2007 covered all of the present requirements. Township Engineer Scott Mease noted that the plan was submitted and denied by the Board of Supervisors at an earlier date, the applicant appealed and an agreement was worked out with the supervisors. Surveyor Dennis Litzenberger representing owner Wendie Johnson (present) advised the commission that all of the comments on the Engineers Letter have been accomplished or are “will comply”. The court “Stipulation and Agreement” required approval of most of the waiver requests. The plan will be reviewed by the board of supervisors on August 14, 2007. There were no further comments or questions.
Comments / Questions from the Floor:
Pete Thomson presented a copy of an article regarding gas & mineral drilling along with an article on “building green”.
Closing:
A motion to Adjourn was made by Ken Klein and seconded by Jim Pavlica, all were in favor. Meeting adjourned at @8:49 PM.
Minutes Submitted By: Joseph M. Kulick, Recording Secretary