The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Supervisors, Hanover Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania was called to order by Chairman, John N. Diacogiannis at the Hanover Township Municipal Building, 3630 Jacksonville Road, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 18017 at 7:30 P.M.
Present were Supervisors Colon, Salvesen, Nagle and Walbert, Mr. Mike Schmalzer for Engineer Birdsall, Solicitor Broughal, Manager Finnigan and Public Works Director Healy.
Upon motion of Mr. Colon, seconded by Mr. Salvesen, the Board approved the Agenda.
Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Nagle yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Upon motion of Mr. Salvesen, seconded by Mr. Nagle, the Board approved the minutes, as written, from the meeting of the Board of Supervisors dated September 26, 2006.
Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Nagle yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Upon motion of Mr. Salvesen, seconded by Mr. Colon, the Board approved the List of Bills and Transfers dated October 10, 2006 as prepared by the Secretary/Treasurer, and to enter the signed List of Bills by the Secretary/Treasurer and the Board of Supervisors as an attachment to the minutes.
Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Nagle yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
COURTESY OF THE FLOOR
It was noted that no one wished to speak.
REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN
Mr. Diacogiannis had nothing to report.
REPORT OF THE VICE-CHAIRMAN
Mr. Walbert had nothing to report.
SUPERVISOR’S COMMENTS
It was noted that no one had any comments.
PLANNING & ZONING
Mr. Walbert moved that the Board approve the following Ordinance for placing restrictions on trucks using Township roads and that the Chairman and Secretary be authorized to sign the Ordinance.
ORDINANCE NO. 06-08
AN ORDINANCE OF THE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF HANOVER, COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON,
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA AMENDING ORDINANCE 02-01, CHAPTER 172, BY
RESTRICTING THE USE OF TOWNSHIP ROADS, OF WIDTHS OF 28 FEET OR LESS, BY TRUCKS
AND TRUCKS WITH TRAILERS IN EXCESS OF FIVE TONS, AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES
OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT HEREWITH.
Mr. Colon
seconded the motion.
Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Nagle yes, Mr. Walbert
yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Mr.
Walbert moved that the Board approve to authorize the Township Solicitor to
advertise the proposed Ordinance regarding Hanoverville Road Direction of
Traffic Flow, which restricts traffic to travel one way on Hanoverville Road.
Mr. Colon
seconded the motion.
Solicitor
Broughal stated that this can be on the November 14th Agenda.
Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Nagle yes, Mr. Walbert
yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Attorney
Dennis McCarthy was present representing PNC Bank for the new branch at Stoke
Park Road and Bath Pike. Attorney McCarthy stated they are going before the
Zoning Hearing Board for two zoning variances relating to signage. One is for a
building sign and the other is a monument sign. They are requesting a variance
to allow a 36 square foot building mounted sign with 24 inch letters. The
ordinance permits 16 square feet. Spoke with the Zoning Officer and she was
comfortable with the 36 foot building sign recognizing that variances would be
needed. This sign would be facing Stoke Park Road. In regards to the monument
sign which will be on Bath Pike; the Ordinance allows 30 square feet and we are
requesting 49.34 square feet.
Mr.
Schmalzer stated the Planning Commission looked at their requests and they
referred them to the Zoning Hearing Board. Mr. Schmalzer stated he believes his
office had no objection with the monument sign.
Mr.
Finnigan stated he does not have a problem with the requests because of the
location and believes the monument sign will help with access and direction to
it off of Route 512.
Mr.
Walbert stated based on no objection from the Board; we will not send
representation to the Zoning Hearing Board.
Mr. Colon moved that the Board grant
an extension to the Developer of PNC Bank relative to the Site Plan and Lot Consolidation
Plan for a period of sixty (60) days to December 7, 2006 and to notify the
Owner/Developer of the Board’s action relative to this matter.
Mr.
Salvesen seconded the motion.
Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Nagle yes, Mr. Walbert
yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Mr. J.B.
Reilly was present representing Traditions of America to ask the Board to
consider a zoning amendment request on 68 acres of land located on Bridle Path
Road which Traditions of America is purchasing from the Sisters of St. Francis.
Ann
Yulans, representative of Sisters of St. Francis was present to read a
statement from the Sisters of St. Francis as to why they need to sell a portion
of their property and gave the following 3 objectives in their decision:
1.
Sell as little of the
property as possible in order to raise the necessary money to create a
permanent fund to satisfy long-term retirement costs of the Sisters of St.
Francis.
2.
Identify a land use
for the property which would be compatible with their long term interest of
residing on and conducting retreat activities in a passive setting on the
balance of the land they will retain.
3.
Identify a housing use
that would meet the needs of the community and would be affordable.
Mr. Reilly
stated that he was before the Board back in May with a zoning request to change
the current zoning to R1-A, which permits an active adult community. The sample
sketch that was shown in May included a combination of attached and detached
homes totaling 272 homes. There was some opposition to that and issues that
were raised and after taking those issues into consideration, Mr. Reilly stated
they revised the plan.
Mr. Reilly
gave a slide show presentation proposing 3 homes per acre, all being
single-family detached homes totaling 204 homes; offering substantial setbacks
for Bridle Path Road and ample space between neighbors. In the presentation, growth,
population, the need for senior housing, environmental impact and traffic
concerns were discussed.
Mr. Reilly
also read a petition that included signatures supporting the active adult
community.
Mr.
Walbert stated what the procedure would be if the board moved forward with
this. Mr. Walbert stated that the Board is not approving anything tonight; if
anything, we will authorize our professional staff to prepare the ordinances to
accomplish what Mr. Reilly is asking. Once that is done, the Planning
Commission will review it and everyone is welcome to attend the Planning
Commission meeting and offer comment. The Board of Supervisors will then have a
public hearing, Mr. Reilly will present his case, and the hearing is open to
anyone who wants to offer testimony. After the hearing, the Board will
deliberate on whether to make the zoning change or not.
Mr.
Broughal recommended that the Board consider a text change rather than a map
change.
Mr.
Salvesen stated that the entrance and exit to Bridle Path Road, Jacksonville
Road and Center Street, Bethlehem are significant encumbrances to safe movement
and would like to see how that is going to be addressed to his satisfaction.
Mr. Colon
wanted to know what the difference between the Traditions building near Jaindl
and this one.
Mr. Reilly
stated that they are the same in regards to age restriction, life style, and
amenities. This community would be less dense and they would be detached homes.
Mr. Colon
asked how this development will affect the Monocacy Creek.
Mr. Reilly
stated that the land he is purchasing does not directly abut the Monocacy
Creek. It is the top section of Bridle Path Road.
Mr. Nagle
expressed concerns on the lack of volunteers for fire personnel and EMT’s and
the additional stress of an adult community.
Mr.
Broughal stated he does not want to stop people from making comments tonight;
however it is more important that those comments be made at the Public Hearing.
We are not taking record tonight, so if anyone wants their comments on record,
they need to attend the Public Hearing.
Mr.
Broughal also stated that the Township extend notification to the City of Bethlehem
about the proposed project because of the impact it would have on them.
Mr.
Diacogiannis reiterated what Mr. Broughal said about comments on record.
Residents
from the Bridle Path Road and Macada area were present to express their
concerns on how they can be notified on any future meetings regarding this
project, clarification of a map change vs. a text change, traffic concerns, the
effects on Macada Road, concerns to the Monocacy Creek, public safety, and
sinkholes.
Mr.
Walbert stated the Board needs to look at the Comprehensive Plan before moving
forward with a zoning change request and directed the Solicitor to look at the
issue, including the methodology of making the change and the impact of the
change and get back to the Board with his recommendations.
Mr. Steve
Ferretti from Bennigan’s and Mr. John Hutchinson from Holiday Inn Express were
present regarding Holiday Inn Express’s variance request for a sign. They are
looking for guidance as to what will be acceptable to the Board of Supervisors
to take back to the Zoning Hearing Board with respect to the sign request. They are proposing one monument sign with
Holiday Inn Express on top and Bennigan’s underneath to be placed right before
the entrance.
Mr.
Finnigan stated that it is good conceptually and directionally to keep the flow
of traffic as it was designed. The Bennigan’s sign should not be counted in the
Holiday Inn sign package. There are two separate issues and they should be
addressed separately.
The Board
directed them to meet with the Zoning Officer and to go before the Zoning
Hearing Board.
A
discussion was held on the Zoning Hearing Appeal for Traditions of America on
Hanoverville Road in regards to patios.
The Board
directed the Township Engineer and Township Solicitor to attend the Zoning
Hearing Meeting.
ADMINISTRATION
Mr. Nagle
moved that the Board approve the following Resolution for adopting the Hazard
Mitigation Plan and that the Chairman and Secretary be authorized to sign the
Resolution:
A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE HAZARD MITIGATION
PLAN FOR LEHIGH VALLEY, PA
RESOLUTION 06-13
Whereas, Section 322 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act), 42 U.S.C. 5165, enacted under paragraph 104 of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, establishes a new requirement for local hazard mitigation plans in an effort to reduce natural disaster losses;
WHEREAS, Section 322 requires local governments to have an approved local mitigation plan to be eligible to receive grants under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program;
WHEREAS, Lehigh and Northampton Counties are vulnerable to a range of natural disasters such as flooding, winter storms, sinkholes, droughts and tornadoes;
WHEREAS, Lehigh and Northampton Counties recognize the need for hazard mitigation planning to help protect health, safety and welfare of Lehigh Valley residents;
WHEREAS, partnerships with all levels of government, the private sector and the residents of Lehigh and Northampton Counties can reduce the impact of future events through hazard mitigation planning;
WHEREAS, Lehigh and Northampton Counties, Lehigh and Northampton County Emergency Management Agencies ad the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission joined efforts to create a draft April 2006 regional hazard mitigation plan with July 2006 revisions based on municipal/public comments and preliminary Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency review;
WHEREAS, Lehigh and Northampton Counties have adopted the July 2006 plan;
WHEREAS, the governing body of Hanover
Township – Northampton County recognizes its responsibility in adopting the
regional plan and implementing the actions defined in the plan for the
protection of its residents;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Governing Body of Hanover Township – Northampton County hereby adopts the Hazard Mitigation Plan Lehigh Valley, PA July 2006.
Mr. Walbert seconded the motion.
Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Nagle yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Mr. Paul Kosiba from PNC Advisors was present to give the Board an update on the status of the Hanover Township Pension Plan Fund.
A discussion was held on the formula for Colonial Regional Police Department.
DEVELOPMENTS
Mr. Colon moved that the Board grant an extension to the Developer of Lehigh Valley Industrial Park IV Lot 12 relative to the Site Plan for a period of sixty (60) days to December 7, 2006 and to notify the Owner/Developer of the Board’s action relative to this matter.
Mr. Salvesen seconded the motion.
Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Nagle yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
COURTESY OF THE FLOOR
It was noted that no one wished to offer any comment.
REPORTS
Mr. Walbert – Road District #1, Mr. Salvesen – Road District #2, Mr. Diacogiannis – Road District #3, Mr. Colon – Road District #4, Mr. Nagle – Road District #5 & #6 had nothing to report.
ENGINEER’S REPORT
Mr. Schmalzer had nothing to report.
SOLICITOR’S REPORT
Mr. Broughal had nothing to report.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
Mr. Healy reported that the 2006 Roadwork paving project is completed.
TOWNSHIP MANAGER’S REPORT
Mr. Finnigan reported that the advertisement for the Municipal Waste contract will be in the paper Friday and Tuesday and bids will be accepted through November 15th.
Mr. Diacogiannis closed the regular meeting to open the Executive Session for personnel matters at 10:05 P.M.
Mr. Diacogiannis closed the Executive Session and re-opened the regular meeting at 10:35 P.M.
Mr. Nagle moved that the Board approve to appoint Ms. Karen Soriano as the Deputy Tax Collector for Hanover Township.
Mr. Salvesen seconded the motion.
Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Nagle yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Upon motion of Mr. Nagle, seconded by Mr. Walbert, the Board approved adjournment at 10:36 P.M.
Mr. Colon yes, Mr. Salvesen yes, Mr. Nagle yes, Mr. Walbert yes, Mr. Diacogiannis yes.
Stacy C. Milo
Secretary/Treasurer