RICHLAND TOWNSHIP

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BUSINESS MEETING

MAY 5, 2008

Chairman, Craig Staats, called the Richland Township Board of Supervisors Business Meeting to order. Members present: Richard Orloff and Michael Zowniriw.  Also present:  Stephen Sechriest, Township Manager; Kevin Kochanski, Township Planner, Boucher & James; Dick Wieland, Township Engineer, Carroll Engineering; Amy Kaminski, Township Traffic Engineer, Carroll Engineering; B. Lincoln Treadwell, Township Solicitor, and Chief Lawrence Cerami, Township Police Department.

 

 

I.              OPENING

                A.            The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

                B.            The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

                C.            Mr. Orloff gave the Invocation.

                D.            The Roll Call was taken.

                E.             Board Appointments

Ms. Susan Mirarchi has volunteered to join the Ordinance Review Committee.

 

MOTION               Mr. Orloff made a motion to appoint Ms. Susan Mirarchi to the Richland Township Ordinance Review Committee.  Mr. Zowniriw seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

MOTION               Mr. Orloff made a motion to appoint Mr. James Sulger to the Richland Township Community/Police Liaison Board.  Mr. Staats seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

II.            PUBLIC HEARINGS

A.                  Continuation of Public Hearing concerning the proposal of 472 California Road Partners to rezone a portion of Tax Parcel 36-5-119-2, located at the southern end of O’Neill Drive from Planned Industrial to Planned Commercial

The applicant has requested that this hearing be continued to the June 9, 2008 Business Meeting.

 

MOTION               Mr. Staats made a motion to continue the public hearing for 472 California Road Partners to the June 9, 2008 Business Meeting.  Mr. Orloff seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

B.                   Conditional Use Hearing for Cricket Communications to collocate equipment on an existing tower and install related ground equipment at 699 N. West End Blvd. (Rt. 309)

The applicant is seeking to locate three antennas and related ground equipment within the telecommunications facility located on the property.

Present to discuss this issue was:  Ms. Chrystal Fisher, Solicitor; Mr. Brian Seidel, Land Planner; and Mr. Syed Agha. 

                                For further details, see the stenographer’s notes.

 

MOTION               Mr. Staats made a motion to open the Conditional Use Hearing for Cricket Communications.  Mr. Zowniriw seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

MOTION               Mr. Staats made a motion to close the Conditional Use Hearing for Cricket Communications and directed staff to bring back a recommendation for the June 9, 2008 Business Meeting.

 

III.           PUBLIC COMMENT

                There was no public comment at this time in the meeting.

 

IV.           PRESENTATIONS

                Not applicable for this agenda.

 

 

V.            BOARD AND STAFF REPORTS

Stephen Sechriest, Township Manager, reported that this past Saturday, May 3, 2008, a Roadside Cleanup was held and volunteers gathered over 40 bags of trash. Mr. Sechriest thanked Mr. Tim Arnold for organizing this event.  Mr. Sechriest announced that anyone interested in a roadside cleanup day throughout the year that they should notify the township so that trash bags, vests, and signs could be provided.  Mr. Sechriest reported that Saturday, May 10, 2008, Mr. Geib was organizing a township park cleanup day from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and that anyone interested was to notify the township as a lunch will be provided.

 

Richard Orloff, Township Supervisor, discussed a correspondence with the Township Park and Recreation Board concerning having a dedication ceremony to officially open Veterans Park. (Mr. Sechriest suggested holding a ceremony on Community Day.) 

 

                Craig Staats, Township Supervisor, had no reports at this time.

 

                Michael Zowniriw, Township Supervisor, had no reports at this time.

 

                Kevin Kochanski, Township Planner, had no reports at this time.

 

Amy Kaminski, Township Traffic Engineer, reported that the timing for traffic signals along the 309 corridor were recently agjusted and that weekend timings are now working.

 

                Dick Weiland, Township Engineer, had no reports at this time. 

 

                B. Lincoln Treadwell, Township Solicitor, had no reports at this time.

 

Chief Lawrence Cerami, Township Police Department, reported that there were two police officer candidates ready to be presented before the BOS at the next business meeting for their approval.  Chief Cerami also stated that the police department has been approved for another Seat Belt Compliance Check Grant which will be initiated in the near future.

 

VI.           DEVELOPERS’ ISSUES

A.                  Consideration of Preliminary/Final Plan approval for O.R.E. Lot Line Adjustment for property at 699 N. West End blvd

The applicant is seeking approval for this project to change the lot lines between his parcel and the adjacent parcels. 

Present to discuss this issue with the BOS was: Mr. Scott McMackin, Engineer; and Mr. George Blobe, principal.

 

MOTION               Mr. Orloff made a motion to grant the following waivers:  Section 506.2.A and 605.4 regarding cartway width roadway improvements; Sections 515.2 and 610 regarding installation of curbing, provided a note be provided on the plans requiring the owner to install curbing at their own expense if required by the Township in the future; Sections 518 and 609 regarding installation of sidewalks, provided a note be provided on the plans requiring the owner to install sidewalks at their own expense if required by the Township in the future; Section 605.4 regarding installation of roadway improvements, provided a note be provided on the plans requiring the owner to install roadway improvements at their own expense if required by the Township in the future; Section 607 regarding installation of street lights; and Section 704.C.2 regarding the location of existing features within 400 feet of the site.  Mr. Zowniriw seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

MOTION               Mr. Staats made a motion to grant Conditional Preliminary/Final Plan Approval for O.R.E. lot line adjustment project subject to the following:  Compliance with the Carroll Engineering Corp. letter dated May 1, 2008; project receives approvals from all municipal and governmental agencies having jurisdiction over the project; the Applicant complies with all applicable provisions of the Township Zoning Ordinance and the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance; receipt of all permits and approvals from any agencies having jurisdiction over such matters; and in the event the required Financial Security Agreement is not executed within 90 days of this approval, this approval shall expire and be deemed revoked unless a written extension is granted by the Governing Body.  Mr. Orloff seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

B.                   Conditional Use Decision for Wachovia Bank Proposal for a new bank at the corner of Tollgate Road and Rt. 309

Mr. Treadwell has prepared a draft letter of approval based on recommendations from staff for the BOS to consider.

 

MOTION               Mr. Orloff made a motion to grant Conditional Use approval for Wachovia Bank proposal as recommended by staff and outlined in a letter dated May 6, 2008 from Mr. Treadwell.  Mr. Zowniriw seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

C.                   Time Extension Request for Reserve at Hidden Ponds, a proposed residential subdivision to be located along Station Road at the former Pennfield Property

The applicant has requested a 90-day extension of the review period for this project.

 

MOTION               Mr. Staats made a motion to adopt Resolution #08-17, granting a 90-day extension of the review period to Hidden Ponds Associates, LP for its Reserve at Hidden Ponds project.  The extension will expire on August 29, 2008. Mr. Orloff seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

D.                  Time Extension Request for Gambone Development’s Buehrer Tract Subdivision, a proposed residential subdivision to be located on Reservoir Road at California Road

The applicant has requested a 90-day extension of the review period for this project.

 

MOTION               Mr. Staats made a motion to adopt Resolution #08-18, granting a 90-day extension of the review period to Gambone Development Co for its Buehrer Tract Subdivision project.  The extension will expire on August 15, 2008.  Mr. Orloff seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

E.                   Time Extension Request for Children’s Development Program, a proposed land development to convert the existing building at Rt. 313 and Thatcher Road to a day care use.  The applicant has requested a 90-day extension of the review period for this project.

 

MOTION               Mr. Staats made a motion to adopt Resolution #08-19, granting a 90-day extension of the review period to Children’s Development Program for its proposed project.  The extension will expire on August 14, 2008.  Mr. Zowniriw seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

F.                   Escrow Releases

1.                    Academy Place (Malpezzi Tract) Maintenance Security, Release Request No. 1

The developer has requested release of escrow funds for this project. Mr. Mark Eisold, Boucher & James, has reviewed the requested and outlined his recommendations in a letter dated April 30, 2008.

 

MOTION               Mr. Staats made a motion to grant release of escrow funds under the Maintenance Bond for the Malpezzi Tract (Academy Place) in the amount of $88,326.41, subject to deductions of any outstanding fees due to the Township as recommended by Mr. Mark Eisold, and outlined in a letter dated April 30, 2008.  Mr. Zowniriw seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

G.                   Zoning Hearings Scheduled for June 5, 2008

1.                    Schenk Enterprises, LLC, Lot 3 of Quakertown Industrial Commons on Kelly Road

The Applicant is seeking several variances from the requirements for a G17 Flex Building Use concerning parking and access.

                                                The BOS decided to not to take a position on this issue.

 

VII.         TOWNSHIP BUSINESS ITEMS (OLD AND NEW)

A.                  Minutes from April 14, 2008 Meeting

 

MOTION               Mr. Orloff made a motion to approve the minutes from April 14, 2008 Richland Township Board of Supervisors Business Meeting as edited. Mr. Staats seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

B.                   Financial Business –Approve payment of bills             

 

MOTION               Mr. Orloff made a motion to approve the payment of bills as presented.  Mr. Zowniriw seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

C.                   Ordinance Proposing Park Rules and Regulations

The Township Park and Recreation Board recommends the adoption of Ordinance No. 238, establishing rules and regulations for the use of the Township’s Parks.

 

MOTION               Mr. Orloff made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 238, which establishes rules and regulations for the use of the Township’s Parks as presented and to also include a smoking ban.  Mr. Zowniriw seconded the motion.  Vote:  Mr. Orloff and Mr. Zowniriw voted yea.  Mr. Staats opposed as he felt that government should not impose a smoking ban in an outside area.  Motion carried.

                               

MOTION               Mr. Orloff made a motion to authorize “No Smoking” signs in the Township’s Parks.  Mr. Zowniriw seconded the motion. Vote:  Mr. Orloff and Mr. Zowniriw voted yea.  Mr. Staats opposed.  Motion carried.

 

VIII.        PUBLIC COMMENT

                There was no public comment at this time in the meeting.

 

IX.           ADJOURNMENT

 

MOTION               Mr. Zowniriw made a motion to adjourn the Richland Township Board of Supervisors Business Meeting at 8:09 p.m.  Mr. Orloff seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine Woods

Recording Secretary

 

Note:  The next Richland Township Board of Supervisors Business Meeting will be held on Monday,

June 9, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.