Parking Public Hearing, Little Else, On Tap In Lower Allen

Posted on July 25, 2011 by admin

There is little proverbial meat on the agenda bone in preparing for this evening’s public hearing and meeting at the Lower Allen Township Municipal Services Center, so here’s a quick snapshot:

The public hearing starts at 6:30 p.m., and is a continuation of the hearing two weeks ago marked by public comment against proposed Ordinance 2011-07 as drafted. See here for details.
The only items on the hearing agenda are comments and questions from the commissioners, and public comment. If you want to be heard, don’t be tardy.
Commissioners opted to continue the hearing to tonight in order to gather additional public input by way of a Patriot-News article they expected – correctly – would run after the meeting.
The public meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., and very little business is scheduled.

While not on the official agenda, I will be surprised if we don’t hear some comments regarding recent news that S&A Homes will begin construction of a previously approved 19-unit affordable housing project on Cedar Run Drive. I served on the board of commissioners in 2009 when we approved the plan, and know at least one commissioner this evening will raise his previous objections to the plan.

When Lower Allen approved the plan, the builder and the former executive director of the Cumberland County Redevelopment Authority made several promises to the board to garner approval for their plan. Commissioners were concerned about escalated police calls for the development, so S&A’s representative pledged their management of the property would be very hands on, and even offered to provide his cell phone number to the township to be contacted if issues arise.

One last note – according to a post on their Facebook page, Lower Allen Township has openings for community service officers:

Lower Allen Township is seeking part-time Community Service Officers in the Police Department. Application and job description are available by going to the Township website at www.lower-allen.pa.us or by picking them up at 2233 Gettysburg Road, Camp Hill. Return completed application no later than 8/12/2011 to Human Resources. EOE

Ordinance Language Draws Citizen Comments At Lower Allen Meeting

Posted on July 11, 2011 by admin

Proposed language which would directly impact Lower Allen Township residents who park commercial vehicles in residential zoning districts came under direct questioning by several township residents at a public hearing on Ordinance 2011-07 this evening.

In a nutshell, the proposed ordinance would make it illegal to park a commercial vehicle rated for a gross volume weight of 10,000 pounds or more in any of the three residential zoning districts; R-1, R-2 or R-3. In those districts, commercial vehicles couldn’t be parked on the street or anywhere on a person’s property except under restrictions spelled out in the draft ordinance.

Kernel Of An Idea

Building & Zoning Coordinator John Eby said staff and commissioners received several complaints from residents about commercial vehicles parked on residential streets. Commission H. Edward Black also said, “This ordinance was promulgated by complaints from the public.”

This issue had been discussed before at several meetings, and I’d mentioned it here previously. In a previous post, I indicated my support for allowing commercial vehicles to be parked off the street.

Public Comment

The potential complications of the proposed ordinance language quickly came to light when Mark Roberts from 4107 Rosemont Av. addressed the commissioners. Mr. Roberts said he has parked a 16,000 GVWR service truck beside his house for many years, as he is on call 24-7 for his job. Under the new ordinance, he would no longer be allowed to park the truck beside his house.

Commissioners and staff proposed several options for Mr. Roberts, including parking his truck at a nearby business. Mr. Roberts simply wants to continue parking his truck, loaded with his tools and some limited inventory from his employer, beside his house where he’s received no complaints from neighbors over the years.

Along similar lines, Mike Costea from 208 Creekwood Rd. said he drives a box truck home from his business, Costea Auctions, every night. If the ordinance passes in its current form, he would have to buy a new car to travel back and forth to work because he couldn’t park his box truck in his driveway.

“Is that fair?” Mr. Costea asked commissioners.

My Two Cents

Near the end of the hearing, I took a turn at the podium.

As noted earlier, staff and commissioners indicated that they had received numerous complaints from residents about commercial vehicles parked in residential areas. When I asked staff how many complaints they had received, they said they did not have a tally of the calls.

I proposed a compromise to allow people like Mr. Roberts and Mr. Costea who drive their commercial vehicles home from their jobs to continue to be allowed to park them off the street. That change would remove on-street parking issues articulated during the hearing regarding ice dams forming when municipal crews had to plow around commercial vehicles which were moved later, while not impacting responsible men and women who park work vehicles on their properties.

via nashvillecitypaper.com

Comm. Black asked if, by my suggestion, I was endorsing allowing semis to be parked alongside homes in residential districts. I answered that I was not endorsing that, but perhaps a different weight rating limit could be selected to prohibit tractor trailers while not impacting the lion’s share of township residents.

To their credit, commissioners appeared open to considering other options for the ordinance. Comm. Schin recommended leaving the meeting record open in hopes of hearing from additional township residents at a future meeting. Comm. Bucher moved to recess the hearing and schedule another session on Monday, July 25 at 6:30 p.m., and the motion passed unanimously.

Your Turn

Do you have an opinion about Ordinance 2011-07? Want to have your opinion heard?

Come out to the next hearing on the 25th, and speak your mind.

And, if you know a friend in Lower Allen Township who’s livelihood depends on them driving a commercial vehicle to and from work, please forward this post to them so they’ll know about the hearing.

Route 15 North Ramp To Route 581 East To Close…

Posted on July 6, 2011 by admin

…for a few hours.

According to our friends at PennDOT District 8-0, anybody traveling on Route 15 North Friday evening is in for a shock:

Beginning at 9:00 PM, Friday, July 8, 2011, the contractor will close the US 15 Northbound ramp to PA 581 Eastbound in order to reconstruct the last remaining portion of the existing US 15 Northbound pavement. US 15 Northbound motorists to PA 581 Eastbound will be directed around the closed ramp via changeable message boards. Motorists will be directed to continue on US 15 Northbound, make a left turn at the traffic signal to PA 581 Westbound, take the Carlisle Pike (US 11) Exit, make a left turn at the traffic signal onto the Carlisle Pike (US 11), and make an immediate right onto the ramp to PA 581 Eastbound.

The ramp is expected to be reopened and the associated detour lifted the afternoon of Saturday, July 9, 2011.

So, from 9 p.m. Friday evening until the following afternoon, anybody trying to go east on Route 581 is going to be faced with a six mile detour. That doesn’t sound like fun to me.

But wait; there’s more:

The reconstruction of this last remaining portion of US 15 Northbound will allow US 15 Northbound traffic to be placed into its final configuration the night of Sunday, July 10, 2011. The contractor expects to place US 15 Southbound traffic in its final configuration later in July. Once both directions of US 15 are in their final configurations, the final layer of asphalt material on US 15 will be placed under nighttime lane restrictions.

The above referenced work is weather sensitive, so forecasted rain could postpone the anticipated traffic switches.

Please share this information with your traveling friends and families.

Locust Street Homes, Creeping Charlie Lead Lower Allen Meeting

Posted on June 28, 2011 by admin

With a sketch plan for the Locust Street Homes development projected above the dais Monday evening, the Lower Allen Township Board of Commissioners discussed the 23 lot subdivision at 145 S. Locust St., Shiremanstown, and its impact on the neighborhood. Here’s what we learned:

Sketch Plan For Locust Street Homes

The developer is William R. Grace. Landscape architect for the project is Dan Wise.
The development is on the site of the old Stephenson’s Flower Shop between Shiremanstown Borough and Lower Allen Elementary School.
The plan is being developed using the open space overlay available in the R-1 zoning district. See sections 220-105 to 220-117 in the township code for full details.
The commissioners spent considerable time on how to handle Seneca Avenue, a terminal street which runs behind the school and ends in the middle of the southern edge of the parcel. The consensus appeared to favor having the developer extend Seneca Avenue out to Locust Street, and also work with West Shore School District to close the school driveway entrance a few feet away on Locust.
The parcel would be developed using the newly amended open space development overlay district regulations which permit a fee in lieu of open space provided in the plan. This text change was proposed by the same developer, and adopted late last year.
The township’s Planning Commission did not offer an official opinion of the plan, as it did not have a quorum at its last meeting. More on that later.

As Mr. Wise left the meeting, I asked him about the pending sale of the parcel. He indicated the developer is working to have subdivision and land development plans approved to make the parcel more attractive to a prospective builder.

The next step for this plan will likely be a final plan submitted later this year. Let me know if you have any questions in the comment section below, please.

via Wide Open Spaces, http://bit.ly/iYOlw0

Creeping Charlie

Township resident Pat Stimeling brought a concern to the board regarding an issue she has with an invasive weed, creeping charlie, entering her yard on Sussex Road from a neighbor’s yard. Ms. Stimeling said she has tried everything she can to kill the weed with no success, and the neighbor has not been cooperative.

Commissioners suggested she either work with a professional who can apply a stronger herbicide than is publicly available, or contact the county ag extension office in Carlisle.

Kudos to Ms. Stimeling for taking such pride in the appearance of her yard.

Planning Commission

Commissioner Ped Young expressed frustration with the lack of a quorum at the last township Planning Commission, as it impacted two plans discussed at Monday’s meeting. With no quorum, the members in attendance were unable to make official recommendations to the commissioners on the plans.

Establishing a quorum at these meetings has been discussed previously by the commissioners. Also, the composition of the committee has changed in recent years.

Near the end of the open discussion, I suggested to the board that an alternate delegate be named to the Planning Commission, and volunteered for that role. There appears to be no provision in township code for alternates to the commission, so the board directed staff to send letters to current Planning Commission members making them aware of the board’s concerns with their attendance.

Additional Notes

An addition is needed to the township’s public meeting regulations. The proposed change will be posted on the township web site for review, and deals with the size of placards which may be displayed in meetings.
Commissioners adjourned to executive session to discuss police contract negotiations.
The board authorized Manager Tom Vernau to sign a memorandum of understanding regarding Lower Allen’s participation in a regional police testing consortium. The effort, which is being facilitated by the Capital Region Council of Governments, will allow the township to cast a wider net for applicants at a lower cost than when it advertised by itself.

Lower Allen Agenda Features New Sketch Plans

Posted on June 26, 2011 by admin

The former site of Stephenson’s Flower Shops at 145 S. Locust St., Shiremanstown will be front and center at the Monday, June 27 meeting of the Lower Allen Township Board of Commissioners when a sketch plan for an open space development called Locust Street Homes is presented.

According to the meeting agenda, the proposed plans will show a residential development with “…15 single family detached homes and 8 townhouses….”

Interestingly, a quick search for more information about the development indicates that, as recently as June 3, 2011, the property was listed by Landmark Commercial Realty. The parcel and the storefront are featured on separate pages, but it appears the land is up for sale, while the retail space may be bought outright or leased.

While the sketch plans will certainly be interesting, I’ll be interested to hear more about the pending sale of the property, and if the developer has received any inquiries.

While the remainder of the agenda appears brief, with few items likely to generate many questions from the public in attendance, one note near the end of the agenda caught my eye:

13. MANAGER

a. Addition to the Township’s Public Meeting Guidelines

The guidelines, approved just earlier this year, apparently are in need of an addition ~~revision~~. A version of the document is available for review on the Lower Allen web site if you’d like to acquaint yourself with it before the meeting.

Lower Allen Township Commissioner meeting are held in Gorgas Hall at the Municipal Services Center, 2233 Gettysburg Rd., Camp Hill, and begin at 7 p.m.

Time To Vote

Posted on May 17, 2011 by admin

Today is election day, so please take time to get out to vote. I would appreciate your vote in my race for Lower Allen Township Commissioner.

Here is a map of Lower Allen Township polling places to assist.

Please join me in supporting the team of Jim Hertzler and Sean Shultz for Cumberland County Commissioner, and Elizabeth Stone for County Court of Common Pleas. I know all three candidates, and have worked with Jim and Sean for years.

They have my support today, and should have yours as well.

Public Meeting Policy, Parking On Agenda

Posted on April 10, 2011 by admin

A potential change to how township public meetings will be run is on the agenda for tomorrow evening’s meeting of the Lower Allen Township Board of Commissioners, along with resumption of discussion about changing parking regulations for residential neighborhoods.

While the meeting policy topic is close to my heart, the parking topic is likely to directly impact far more township residents who may not be keeping tabs on the happenings at 2233 Gettysburg Rd.

Image via Urban Compass

As discussed at a previous meeting, the Board of Commissioners (BOC) directed staff to look into how it might regulate the parking of commercial and recreational vehicles in neighborhoods. Some commissioners expressed frustration that these types of vehicles are permitted in neighborhoods at all, and appeared to urge for them to be banned from overnight parking.

I would favor a limit on the number of consecutive nights a commercial vehicle could be parked on a residential street. While long-term storage of a work vehicle in a neighborhood street may not be a hallmark of a good neighbor, often a business owner or employee is able to drive a commercial vehicle home overnight to limit their travel to or from a work site.

If a person chooses to place the vehicle on their property on a paved driveway or parking pad, then the issue becomes moot. Also, if the recreational vehicle is off the street and not obstructing street cleaning or plowing operations, it seems to meto be a non-issue.

No draft regulations have been posted on the township web site for review, at least as far as I could determine this afternoon.

Also on the agenda for tomorrow’s BOC meeting is discussion of a change to the public meeting policy. As noted in a prior post, staff prepared a memo of suggestions for the BOC containing suggestions for memorializing in a policy document how public meetings should be handled. Following a discussion of the memo at the March 14 meeting, staff called for public comment on the draft policy.

At the March 28 BOC meeting, staff indicated it had received two comments regarding the policy: one from me, and one from township resident Sandy Christianson. Here’s what I submitted:

Thank you for the opportunity to submit comments to the public meeting policy as posted on the township web site.

I recommend the township consider modifying two provisions of the policy as posted.

“4. The public comment period on non-agenda items shall be limited to a total of thirty (30) minutes.”

Thirty minutes is too restrictive a limit to place on public comment. While I understand the need to limit expense of the meetings with regard to township staff expense, no limit should be imposed on the length of public comment. I recommend this be removed from the policy.

“5. If there is insufficient time for general public comments at a meeting due to an extensive business agenda or other reasons deemed appropriate by the President, he may defer the non-agenda public comment period to the next regular meeting.”

This provisions is simply unacceptable, and gives the President far too much power to stifle public speech. Public comment must be allowed at all meetings, even if it is inconvenient for the township.

No amended meeting policy appears for review on the township web site prior to the April 11 BOC meeting.

I trust the will board choose to not act until the public has a chance to comment again on a revised policy, as this policy creation has the potential to impact public participation at meetings for years to come, especially during upcoming crucial discussions regarding the Walmart development of 3400 Hartzdale Dr., Camp Hill.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Services Center, 2233 Gettysburg Rd., Camp Hill.

Lower Allen Commissioners Not Scheduled To Take Up Walmart, Public Meeting Policy

Posted on March 28, 2011 by admin

Via Fredricksburg.com

The agenda for this evening’s meeting of the Lower Allen Township Board of Commissioner’s meeting runs to two pages, and doesn’t include any mention of Walmart or discussion regarding public participation at meetings, a matter which generated some comment two weeks ago. The agenda is available both on the township web site and below.

Two weeks ago, near the close of their meeting, the board discussed a memo prepared by Township Manager Tom Vernau regarding a public meeting policy. Discussion indicated that the memo suggested limiting the time each member of the public has to speak, and included a suggestion that the BOC did not have to listen to comments from anybody outside the township.

“Outsiders may have an opinion, but you’re not obliged to listen to it,” Manager Vernau said during the March 14 meeting.

A spirited discussion of the manager’s memo ensued, including an indication by Solicitor Steven Miner that a provision to limit speech of non-Township residents is unconstitutional. Other suggestions included reducing a person’s time to speak from the present 15 minutes to five minutes. The board did not reach a consensus, and instead asked the manager to tweak the policy recommendation and bring it back to the board at a later date.

The public meeting policy is not on the March 28 agenda, but the proposed policy is posted on the township web site. Public comments are being taken through today.

The non-resident provision is not included, and time per comment is retained at 15 minutes per speaker. I might question these two recommendations, however:

4. The public comment period on non-agenda items shall be limited to a total of thirty (30) minutes.

5. If there is insufficient time for general public comments at a meeting due to an extensive business agenda or other reasons deemed appropriate by the President, he may defer the non-agenda public comment period to the next regular meeting.

While I understand why this language is included, it appears counterproductive. Tell me what you think in the comments, or write to the manager and tell him directly.

Regarding tonight’s agenda, also missing is any mention of the development by Walmart of the parcel at 3400 Hartzdale Dr., Camp Hill. As confirmed at the March 14 meeting, Lower Allen cancelled its March Planning Committee meeting due to a lack of plans to consider. Two weeks ago, staff did not know when Walmart will submit its preliminary plans.

During the March 14 meeting, though, township resident Sandy Christianson established that Walmart’s engineer has been working with LAT since March, 2010. Mrs. Christianson plumbed the meeting minutes for the LAT Development Authority, and identified comments related to 3400 Hartzdale Dr. dating back a year. Under questioning from commissioners, Ms. Christianson quoted from the minutes. Commissioners and staff confirmed Walmart’s engineer had been working with LAT since March, 2010, that developer Timothy Harrison had not been speaking with the township since then, and that Walmart had remained unnamed until recently.

Later in the March 14 meeting, the board authorized staff to advertise an ordinance to transfer both the former township building at 1993 Hummel Av. and the Yetter Court property near the Highway Building to the Development Authority. The purpose of the move is to allow for greater flexibility in selling the property, as the tools for such a sale directly by the township are limited. Further action is not indicated on the March 28 agenda.

Upcoming Events In Lisburn

Posted on March 26, 2011 by admin

The Lisburn Community Fire Company and its members have scheduled a full slate of events for April. Break out your calendars, because there is something here for everybody:

Saturday, April 2 – Opening day of Trout Season marks another all-you-can eat Fisherman’s Breakfast. From 6:00 to 10:00 am you can have eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, OJ and coffee for a $7.00 donation (adults) or $3.50 (children);

Sunday, April 10t – Ziti with or without Fresh Sausage and Breaded Chicken Dinner. From 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, you can treat yourself to baked ziti with or without sausage, breaded chicken, tossed salad, grilled garlic bread, drinks, coffee and homemade desserts. Costs will be $8.50 for adults and $4.25 for children.

Both events will be held at the Lisburn Community Fire Company at 1800 Main St., Mechanicsburg.

By the way, to keep tabs on Lisburn CFC, it now has a Facebook page and a brand new web site.

The Lowdown

What's Going On In Lower Allen And Beyond