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Present were: Joseph Solomon, Chairman, James Martin, Vice Chairman, Emilio DiMatteo, Jennifer Hunter and Stephen Miller.

Also present: James Kelly, Township Engineer, Robert Pappano, Township Solicitor, Edward Theurkauf, Anthony Hamaday, Township Manager and Councilman Steven Visek.

Approval of Minutes of the January 24, 2006 Meeting
Mr. DiMatteo made a motion, seconded by Ms. Hunter, to approve the January 24, 2006 meeting minutes.

Mr. DiMatteo Yes Mr. Miller Abstain
Ms. Hunter Yes Mr. Solomon Yes
Mr. Martin Abstain
Motion passed 3-0

Mr. Hamaday informed the Planners that he has provided copies of Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act to the Chairman for the Planners use.

Mr. Solomon informed the Planners that he had attended the February Council Committees Meeting. He indicated that he asked Council to consider the creation of a committee or advisory panel working under the Planning Commission to ensure the action items of the Comprehensive Plan are moved forward. The proposed committee would be made up of representatives of the Township’s various boards and committees and could meet quarterly to review the implementation of the Comp Plan.

Mr. Solomon also informed the Planners that he was asked by Council to talk to the applicants for the PC vacancy and provide feedback to Council. He asked the planners to also feel free to provide any feedback to him and he would forward to Council.

Walden School Land Final Development Plan
Gus Houtman, P.E., of G. D. Houtman & Sons, provided a brief outline of the Walden plan process to date and indicated that the final land development plan before the Planners was not significantly different than the preliminary plan approved in December 2005. Mr. Houtman indicated that the only remaining open items were the landscaping issues and minor comments outlined in the Township Engineer’s review letter of December 6, 2005.

Mr. Houtman indicated that he was aware of the Township Planner’s concern with the perimeter buffers, especially in Ray Roche Park and indicated that his landscape architect will work with the planner to provide the necessary landscaping.

Mr. Houtman reviewed the Township Engineer’s comments and indicated that he would address the issues including expanding the zoning notes outlining zoning hearing board approvals; indicate all new and existing signage; note PennDot permit requirement; note existing access regulations to Ray Roche Park; noting clustering of trees and the new sidewalk through Ray Roche Park. Mr. Houtman also indicated that a note would be added to the plan regarding the park sidewalk, which allows the Township to determine its final location prior to installation by the school. He also indicated that the school would install an interior streetlight, matching the proposed interior lighting standards, at the new driveway entrance shared with the Township, which was requested by the Township Staff.

Mr. Miller asked about the existing fence between the school and the Township building and what would portion would remain. Mr. Houtman indicated that the fence would be removed to the end of the Township Building to accommodate the new driveways.

Mr. Houtman also informed the Planners the School is moving forward with the proposed new traffic signal at the intersection of Sandy Bank Road and Providence Road as part of the project.

Public Comment:

William Thomas, Valley View Road, offered that the proposed traffic signal will be useless and that all traffic should exit through the Township property instead of on Sandy Bank Road. He also asked if the expansion was limited to a plan for accreditation.

Mr. Martin made a motion, seconded by Mr. DiMatteo to recommend approval of the final land development plan of the Walden School, prepared by G. D. Houtman & Sons, dated March 29, 2005, last revised December 6, 2005 subject to the following:

1. Depiction of the chain link fence on the north side of the property between the school and the Township Building.
2. The addition of a light fixture at the new shared driveway entrance
3. The applicant shall consider reduction of the required buffer landscaping by eliminating the area of the shared driveway in the calculations


Mr. DiMatteo Yes Mr. Miller Yes
Ms. Hunter Yes Mr. Solomon Yes
Mr. Martin Yes
Motion passed 5-0

Mr. Solomon thanked everyone for his or her feedback and suggested that development interaction with Township parkland will come up again.  He asked that a member of the Planning Commission and Mr. Theurkauf meet with the Recreation Board to discuss the use of Ray Roche.  Mr. Martin offered his service and will coordinate a meeting.

Mr. DiMatteo made a motion, seconded by Ms. Hunter to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 PM.  The motion was unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,