Coolbaugh Township

Coolbaugh Township

Planning Commission

September 12, 2005 - Page 1

The Coolbaugh Township Planning Commission Meeting of September 12, 2005 was held in the Township Municipal Center, in Building #3, at 5550 Memorial Boulevard, Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania.

Call To Order

Mr. Frank called the meeting to order at approximately 7:00 p.m. and led those in attendance in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Members present included: Mr. Werner Frank, Mr. Wayne Horne, Mr. Ronald Kluge, Mr. Bernard Kozen and Ms. Alma I. Ruiz-Smith. Also present were PC Solicitor Clark Connor, PC Engineer Russ Kresge and Recording Secretary Jeri Inness.

Approval of August 8, 2005 Meeting Minutes

Motion: Mr. Kluge moved to approve the August 8, 2005 Meeting Minutes and dispense with the reading. Seconded by Mr. Horne. Discussion - none. The motion carried 5-0.

Pocono Mountains Industries Minor Subdivision Plan

No one was present on behalf of the above referenced plan. Before the Planning Commission was a letter dated September 8, 2005 from Marv Walton of Niclaus Engineering requesting a recommendation for an extension on the plan until December 20, 2005.

Motion: Mr. Kluge made a motion to recommend to the Board of Supervisors that they grant an extension until December 20, 2005 on the Pocono Mountains Industries Minor Subdivision Plan, per the applicants’ request. Seconded by Ms. Ruiz-Smith. Discussion - none. The motion passed 5-0.

Motion: Mr. Horne moved to table the Pocono Mountains Industries Minor Subdivision Plan. Seconded by Mr. Kozen. Discussion - none. The motion carried 5-0.

Mario and Mary Ann Scavello Minor Subdivision Plan

Dan Ferguson was present on behalf of the above referenced Minor Subdivision Plan.

Planning Commission

September 12, 2005 - Page 2

He said the revised plans submitted to the PC for review addressed Township Engineer Russ Kresge’s comments in a letter dated August 18, 2005. Mr. Kresge’s letter dated August 29, 2005 confirmed that the revised final Minor Subdivision Plan to combine two adjacent lots conforms to the Coolbaugh Township Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22 - Subdivision and Land Development.

Motion: Mr. Kozen moved to recommend to the Board of Supervisors that they approve the Mario and Mary Ann Scavello Minor Subdivision Plan. Seconded by Ms. Ruiz-Smith. Discussion - none. The motion passed 5-0.

Official Acceptance - Mildred Hanson Minor Subdivision

Mildred Hanson’s son was present on behalf of the Mildred Hanson Minor Subdivision. He explained that the purpose of the minor subdivision was to join two lots in order to place an addition on the property that would provide more living space. A brief discussion followed regarding the location of the properties.

Motion: Mr. Kozen made a motion to officially accept for review the Mildred Hanson Minor Subdivision. Seconded by Mr. Horne. Discussion - none. The motion carried

5-0.

A brief discussion followed about official acceptance and the need to return to the October 10, 2004 PC meeting, waiting to apply for a building permit, etc.

Motion: Mr. Horne moved to table the Mildred Hanson Minor Subdivision. Seconded by Mr. Kozen. Discussion - none. The motion carried 5-0.

Lowe’s Home Centers, Inc./ Pocono Star Properties, Inc. - Minor Subdivision Plan

Attorney Ralph Matergia and Jake Seip of Pocono Star Properties, Inc. were present on behalf of the above referenced Minor Subdivision Plan. Mr. Matergia requested that discussion of the plan be tabled, because the Lowe’s engineers needed more time to address changes to the plan, following a meeting with Township Engineer Russ Kresge.

Mr. Frank noted that the plan has an extension until October 18, 2005 and the next PC meeting was scheduled for October 10, 2005.

Motion: Mr. Horne moved to table the Lowe’s Home Centers, Inc./ Pocono Star Properties, Inc. - Minor Subdivision Plan. Seconded by Ms. Ruiz-Smith. Discussion - none. The motion passed 5-0.

Planning Commission

September 12, 2005 - Page 3

Lowe’s Home Centers, Inc. - Preliminary Land Development Plan

Attorney Ralph Matergia requested that the above referenced Lowe’s Preliminary Land Development Plan be tabled at tonight’s meeting for the same reasons as the previous agenda item, Lowe’s Home Centers, Inc./ Pocono Star Properties, Inc. - Minor Subdivision Plan.

Motion: Mr. Kozen made a motion to table the Lowe’s Home Centers, Inc. - Preliminary Land Development Plan. Seconded by Mr. Horne. Discussion - none. The motion carried 5-0.

Land Development Plan, Hemlock Estates, Arcadia Homes of the Lehigh Valley, LLC

Attorney Jim Preston, Paul Szewczak of Liberty Engineering and Shawn K. Langen of Arcadia Properties, LLC were present on behalf of the above referenced Land Development Plan.

Mr. Szewczak proceeded to go through the comments in a letter dated September 1, 2005 from Township Engineer Russ Kresge. Discussion followed regarding zoning issues, sewage matters, deed restrictions, storm water issues, emergency access, open space and proposed recreational areas, buffers and screening and the effect of the detention basin between the proposed development and adjacent properties, wetlands, etc.

Mr. Preston noted that there is an ongoing lawsuit regarding certain issues associated with the applicant’s plans. Solicitor Connor asked about the ownership of the property being challenged. Mr. Preston confirmed that this matter would be addressed through the courts. Mr. Connor suggested that a letter be sent to the Township stating the applicant’s position on this matter, to which Mr. Preston agreed.

Further discussion ensued regarding a specific design for a water system, as Township Engineer Russ Kresge pointed out that design regulations have changed since the Hemlock Estates project first submitted their design. They agreed to comply with this, and confirmed that they planned to comply with the submission of any necessary narratives required by the ordinances and will continue working to address the Township Engineer’s comments, etc.

Public comment was heard from Bruce Hanby of Hemlock Campgrounds, an adjacent property owner, who asked if there was a time frame for the project development, and expressed concerns over lighting and noise pollution spilling over between his campground and the townhouses and vice versa. He suggested the applicants consider installing a privacy fence.

Planning Commission

September 12, 2005 - Page 4

Motion: Mr. Kozen moved to table the Land Development Plan, Hemlock Estates, Arcadia Homes of the Lehigh Valley, LLC. Seconded by Mr. Horne. Discussion - none. The motion carried 5-0.

Arcadia Homes of the Lehigh Valley No. 2, LLC - Application for Special Exception - Hemlock Estates

Attorney Jim Preston, Paul Szewczak of Liberty Engineering and Shawn K. Langen of Arcadia Properties, LLC were present on behalf of the above referenced application for a Special Exception.

The applicants stated they were seeking a recommendation from the Planning Commission to the Zoning Hearing Board to allow construction within a floodplain, provided they meet certain criteria. Discussion followed regarding changes they had made in order to comply and comments from Township Engineer Russ Kresge in a letter dated September 1, 2005.

Solicitor Connor expressed concerns, as ZHB Solicitor, about items Mr. Kresge had not yet seen addressed, and asked if the applicants could get this done before they appeared before the ZHB, because it would help everyone involved. Discussion followed.

Motion: Ms. Ruiz-Smith moved to recommend to the Zoning Hearing Board that they grant the request made by Arcadia Homes of the Lehigh Valley for a Special Exception for the Hemlock Estates project, with the condition that the applicants satisfactorily address the recommendations outlined in Township Engineer Russ Kresge’s letter dated September 1, 2005. Seconded by Mr. Frank. Discussion - none. The motion carried 4-1 (Mr. Horne opposed).

Proposed Zoning Amendments - Pocono Community Church Inc.

Attorney Ralph Matergia, Engineer Brick Linder and Pastor David Crosby were present on behalf of the proposed zoning amendments submitted by Pocono Community Church Inc.

Discussion followed in which is it was noted that a Public Hearing is scheduled on October 20, 2005 for the purpose of receiving public comment on the Pocono Community Church’s proposed amendments to the Coolbaugh Township Code of Ordinances, Number 97, Chapter 27, Zoning. Three alternatives are proposed, including a curative amendment, an amendment to the zoning ordinance and a change in the zoning district.

Mr. Matergia explained that the church is basically asking that a tract of land zoned Industrial be changed to C-2 to allow use by the church and church related facilities.

He also pointed out that the Planning Commission can make recommendations regarding all, part or none of the proposed amendments.

Pastor David Crosby addressed the Planning Commission and presented a conceptual plan for the church and related facilities, the size and design of the proposed structures, and he also offered background information on his qualifications and the church’s mission and goals over the long term. Discussion followed regarding the property being located next to the Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport, possible problems with noise, safety, etc. Sewer and water issues were briefly discussed. Public comment was heard from Dan Ferguson.

Township Engineer Russ Kresge noted that since the Public Hearing was not scheduled until after the next PC meeting on October 10^th, the commission members may want to consider taking time to do further research before making recommendations. It was the consensus of the PC members that they would revisit the matter at the next meeting. Public comment was heard from Steve Planchock.

Motion: With no further business before the Commission, Ms. Ruiz-Smith made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Mr. Kozen. The motion carried 5-0.