December 2011 Minutes .us



BERKS COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 14, 2011

BERKS COUNTY SERVICES CENTER

633 COURT STREET, 14TH FLOOR

READING, PA 19601-4309

MINUTES

1. CALL TO ORDER

Joseph Griffin, Chairman, called the regular monthly meeting of the Berks County Planning Commission to order at 3:05 p.m. The meeting was held on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 in the Planning Commission offices on the fourteenth floor of the Berks County Services Center, Reading, Pennsylvania.

The following members were present:

Joseph Griffin, Chairman

Peter F. Giorgi, Esquire, Vice-Chairman

Lloyd W. Hopkins, Jr.

James L. Mason

Lee C. Olsen

Douglas P. Rauch, Esq.

Barry L. Schlouch

Mark C. Scott

Not in attendance:

James C. McCarthy, Secretary

Also Attending:

Glenn R. Knoblauch, Exec. Director

Cheryl A. Auchenbach, Planner III

Beth Burkovich, GIS Analyst

Michelle D. Franklin, Planner III

Michael D. Golembiewski, Transportation Modeler

Devon B. Hain, Planning Technician

Ashley J. Mazurek, Planner II

Matthew F. McGough, Planner II

Jamie L. Passon, Planner II

Alan D. Piper, Trans. Planner III

Shannon L. Rossman, Intergovernmental Planner III

Amanda M. Timochenko, Planner II

Pauline R. Klopp, Office Support V

Ron Rohrbach, Homebuilders Assoc. of Berks County

Jim Mazeika, Barry Isett & Assoc.

Rickie Greenly, East Penn Mfg.

C. Bruce Heilman, SDE, Inc./Robeson Twp.

2. PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no public comment.

3. REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

A. Chairman’s Report

The Chairman’s Report had been distributed in the packets last week. Mr. Griffin asked if there were any questions/comments on it.

B. Executive Director’s Report

Mr. Knoblauch informed the Commission that prior to subdivision and land development plan recording, our office must endorse all plans to prove that the plan was reviewed by our office. In January, 2012, we will begin a paperless filing system in that when we endorse a plan for recording, we will scan the plan to make a digital copy and notify the Recorder of Deeds Office electronically that there is a plan to be recorded. For larger developers/engineers/surveyors that do plans all the time, they will have an electronic payment account with the Recorder of Deeds and they will not even have to visit the Recorder of Deeds. People who do not have electronic accounts set up will have to go to the Recorder of Deeds Office to pay for the fee prior to recording.

Mr. Knoblauch then informed the Commission that the County is reconsidering what to do with the archives at the old Berks Heim. We have more than 350 boxes of subdivision/land development plans in the archives. The County is considering either moving the files to a new facility or using a third party private archives to store those files.

After the plans are scanned digitally, we will ask permission from PHMC (Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission) to destroy the plan so we will then have a digital copy and a microfilmed copy that will be stored at a secure location. The Recorder of Deeds stated that his office will scan those 350+ boxes of old files in storage and then ask for permission from PHMC to destroy those plans as well. It could take up to a year to scan those old files.

Mr. Knoblauch mentioned that he had a form in the packets on the call for nominations for 2012 Smart Growth Alliance of Berks County Awards. Mr. Knoblauch is the Chairman of the Smart Growth Alliance. He mentioned that if anyone had any suggestions that meet the Smart Growth Guidelines they should contact either him or Amanda Timochenko.

Mr. Knoblauch then mentioned that the County finalized the conservation easement purchases in Pike Township – 286.02 acres.

4. CONSENT AGENDA

a. Approval of Minutes of November 9, 2011

b. East Penn Mfg. – Injection Molding Parking Lot Expansion

The Berks County Planning Commission is in receipt of a land development plan for the Borough of Lyons. The plan was submitted on November 21, 2011 as a Preliminary Plan. The proposal calls for a 92 parking space surface parking lot expansion to the existing Injection Molding building’s parking area. The applicant’s engineer, Barry Isett & Assoc., requested in a letter dated December 8, 2011 that a waiver to Section 2.7A of the Berks County SALDO to allow the submitted plan to be reviewed as a Final Plan. The application noted that a Variance is needed for the proposed “parking stall” size. The Borough’s zoning ordinance Section 608.2 (Off-Street Parking) requires that “each parking space shall have a minimum area of two hundred (200) square feet and minimum dimensions of ten (10) feet by twenty (20) feet.” The plan is proposing nine (9) feet by eighteen (18) feet typical parking space. East Penn will need to apply to the borough for the variance that is needed for this zoning requirement.

Staff had the following recommendations:

1. The proposal is consistent with the Berks Vision 2020 Comprehensive Plan.

2. Recommend that the Commission approve the requested waiver for the plan to be accepted as a final plan.

3. The applicant will need to make application with the borough for a variance for the proposed “parking stall” size, Section 608.2 (Off-Street Parking) of the Lyons Borough Zoning Ordinance. (Variance from the borough should be approved prior to final plan approval is granted)

4. The applicant submitted a Stormwater Management Plan and Report for the surface drainage of stormwater run-off from the site to Great Valley Consultants (GVC), the borough’s engineer. GVC reviewed and commented on the Preliminary/Final proposal, as submitted to that office, in a letter addressed to Tammy Bond, Secretary to Lyons Borough, dated December 5, 2011. The review letter indicates that additional information is needed in order for the project to meet the requirements of the Act 167 Sacony Creek Watershed Ordinance. (Revisions are needed before final plan approval can be granted)

5. The applicant must provide a written receipt from the Berks County Conservation District for the approval of the Erosion and Sediment Control measures for the proposed land development. (Needed before final plan approval can be granted).

6. The applicant must provide a copy of the Improvements Agreement with the Borough before the record plan may be endorsed by the Berks County Planning Commission. (Needed before final plan approval can be granted).

c. Robeson Twp. Overall Township Act 537 Plan

The Berks County Planning Commission is in receipt of the Overall Robeson Township Act 537 Plan for review. The Plan addresses sewage needs for the areas of the Township which are not covered in either the Allegheny Creek Corridor Study or the Geigertown Village Study as well as the existing service area.

This plan was prepared in coordination with a Township Wide Sewage Needs Survey as well as a Water Sampling Study. The conclusion of the Study has determined that no municipally funded expansion will occur within the established sewer service areas for 5 years and that on-lot sewage would be utilized until such time as development would occur. Any future expansion would be developer driven and financed.

In addition, Robeson Township is proposing to adopt and enforce a revised on-lot septage management ordinance which would permit the Township to enforce regular pumping and inspection of existing on-lot systems. The ordinance would require annual inspections by the Township Sewage Enforcement Officer. The schedule of the required system pump outs would begin no later than 1 year after the ordinance is adopted. Following the initial year the homeowner would be required to have their system pumped on a 3 year rotational basis.

Staff prepared a letter with the following comment: “The proposed service areas are consistent with the Berks County Comprehensive Plan, Vision 2020 and the Sewer and Water Regionalization Study of 1998. Both recommend the municipalities provide requirements which discuss continued maintenance of on-lot systems so that the systems continue to function properly and do not cause any health or safety concerns.”

d. County of Berks – Dreibelbis Covered Bridge Rehabilitation – Letter of Support

Staff received a request from the County of Berks for a Letter of Support for a 2012 Discretionary Grant Application, to be submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, under the USDOT’s National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Program for funding to restore the Dreibelbis Station Covered Bridge over the Maiden Creek in Greenwich Township.

The Dreibelbis Station Covered Bridge is a Berks County-owned structure on Covered Bridge Road crossing the Maiden Creek between Windsor and Greenwich Township. The structure was erected in 1869 and still contains many of its original timbers. With a single span of 168 feet in length, this structure is among the longest remaining Burr arch truss bridges in the Country. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

The bridge is still open to traffic but allows only a single travel lane and has a posted weight limit of 3-tons. It has been designated as structurally deficient. Covered Bridge Road currently carries approximately 200 vehicles per day. Alternate routes are available to provide access to heavier vehicles.

The National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation (NHCBP) program is authorized in section 1804 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU, Pub. L. 109-59), and has been reauthorized and continued through March 31, 2012. The NHCBP program provides: (1) grants to assist States in carrying out the rehabilitation, repair and/or preservation of historic covered bridges, helping to keep these historic structures in a state of good repair; and (2) funds for research and education on and about historic covered bridges, providing improved means to restore and protect these structures. The current solicitation is only for project grant applications pertaining to the rehabilitation, repair and/or preservation of historic covered bridges.

The County, through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, is requesting $1.44 million in NHCBP funding to be matched with $360,000 in other funds (state/county) for a total project cost of $1.8 million.

The rehabilitation project will be designed and constructed with sensitivity to the surrounding land uses, natural environment and historical context. The covered bridge will look as it did in 1869 with red painted sides, gray portals, clapboard siding, timber burr arch trusses, a cedar shake roof and a timber deck. The rehabilitation will strengthen the bridge for continued vehicular use while preserving the geometry and appearance.

The proposed restoration of the Dreibelbis Covered Bridge is consistent with the policies expressed in Berks County Vision 2020, the County’s Comprehensive Plan, promoting traffic safety, restoration of transportation facilities and historic preservation.

Staff prepared a letter of support for approval by the Planning Commission.

e. Schuylkill River Trail Bridge at Monocacy Crossing – SRGA – Letter of Support

The Schuylkill River National & State Heritage Area (SRHA) is applying to the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission’s Regional Trails Program, Phase II, for a pre-engineering design grant for a pedestrian bridge to be constructed on the Thun Section of the Schuylkill River Trail. Phase II of the Regional Trails Program provides grants for multi-use trail planning and feasibility studies in support of the Greater Philadelphia’s Regional Trail Network. The Schuylkill River Trail is a targeted priority trail that is part of the regional trail network. Staff has reviewed the application for consistency with our plans.

The project will explore a pre-engineering design for a pedestrian bridge that will carry the Schuylkill River Trail-Thun Section over Route 724 near Monocacy Crossing in Union Township. This bridge would be located between the intersections of Main Street and Shed Road with Route 724. Due to steep trail slopes, existing traffic count, sight distance issues, and the traffic pattern at the nearby intersections, resolving the on-road crossing with an overhead bridge has been given a high priority by the SRHA. The bridge will be designed on Schuylkill River Greenway Association’s property and will be designed to be as cost efficient as possible. A maximum award of $60,000 per project is available with a 20% minimum match required. The SRHA is requesting $60,000.

The proposed bridge would be located on the 9 mile section of the Schuylkill River Trail (SRT) linking Birdsboro to Pottstown. This section of the trail follows an abandoned rail line, and the proposed bridge would be located at the same place as a railroad bridge which was removed years ago. The purpose of the pedestrian bridge revolves around safety issues as outlined above.

Establishing a continuous regional trail network interconnecting communities throughout Berks County is the top recreation recommendation in the Berks County Greenway, Park and Recreation Plan. The Schuylkill River Trail is the backbone of this linear park system. The plan supports completing connections to create a continuous off-road trail.

The County helped finance the acquisition of the Yelenoc and Sheeder properties that were donated to the Commonwealth to expand French Creek State Park. A new trail, to be called Big Woods Trail, will connect the SRT to French Creek State Park and Hopewell Furnace via these properties. The connection of the Big Woods Trail to the SRT is within 2,000 feet of the proposed bridge. The construction of the Big Woods Trail has been funded through Phase I of DVRPC’s Regional Trails Program, and the first section of the trail is expected to be completed by September 2012. Attached is an article/map on the Big Woods Trail. The construction of the Big Woods Trail puts greater emphasis on having an accessible and safe crossing of the SRT at Route 724/Monocacy Crossing.

If sufficient engineering is accomplished through this project, SRHA intends to apply for future Transportation Enhancement funds. The future availability of Transportation Enhancement funds are not guaranteed based on inaction by congress to adopt new legislation.

Staff prepared a letter stating that the project is consistent with the recommendations of the Berks County Greenway, Park and Recreation Plan, and therefore, the Commission endorses the SRHA’s effort to explore the design of a pedestrian bridge at this location. In addition, the construction of the Big Woods Trail will put greater emphasis on having an accessible and safe crossing of the Schuylkill River Trail at Route 724/Monocacy Crossing. The Commission suggests that connectivity to the road network be explored to allow access across the Schuylkill River via Main Street/Monocacy Bridge. The Commission appreciates SRHA’s continued efforts to assist in implementing the County’s Greenway Plan.

f. Reports for Approval

- Land Development & Subdivision Activity Report, 10/19/11 – 11/21/11

- Endorsed Land Development & Subdivision Activity

- PADEP Land Use Questionnaire Listing

- 2012 BCPC Meeting Schedule

MOTION: Mr. Hopkins made a motion to approve all items on the Consent Agenda. The motion was seconded by Mr. Schlouch and passed unanimously.

5. ITEMS FOR REVIEW AND DISCUSSION

1. November, 2011 Staff Activities

2. November, 2011 Review Actions

3. November, 2011 Statement of Expenditures, Encumbrances & Appropriations

These are just informational items for the Planning Commission to review.

6. SEWER AND WATER REGIONALIZATION STUDY UPDATE 2011

Mrs. Rossman had a final draft copy of the Sewer and Water Regionalization Study in the packets today.

7. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: Mr. Olsen made a motion to adjourn and the meeting adjourned at 3:32 p.m.

___________________________________ ____________________________________

Joseph Griffin, Chairman James C. McCarthy, Secretary

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