HARRIS TOWNSHIP
BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR MEETING
7:30PM
Vice-Chairman Charles
(Bud) Graham, Supervisors Dennis Hameister, Cliff Warner and Nigel Wilson
OTHERS PRESENT:
Thomas Miller, Township Manager; Todd Shea, Zoning Officer; C-Net; Maria Capparelli, Boalsburg Village Association; Kelleanne Foster, Greg Snipes, GTW Associates; Rob Weaver, Don Murnyack, Katie Ombalski, Jamie Olsen and Rich Olsen, Harris Township Resident; Mark Torretti, Penn Terra Engineering; Van Winter, Boalsburg Fire Company; Tom Songer, Torron Group; Roy Love, Patty Devecka, Stan Yoder Preserve; Paul Weener, Harris Township Planning Commission; Glenn Dry, Owner of Colonial Express.
CALL TO ORDER:
Prior to the commencing
of business, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Vice-Chairman Graham called the October 14, 2002, meeting of the Harris Township Board of Supervisors to order at 7:32 P.M.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:
Upon a motion
made by Supervisor Hameister, seconded by Supervisor Warner and carried
unanimously, the Board moved to approve the minutes as corrected of the
September 9, 2002, Board of Supervisors meeting. Ayes – 4; Nays – 0
CITIZENS COMMENTS:
Maria
Capparelli questioned the status of letter presented to the Township in May of
2002 regarding parking in the village.
Vice-Chairman
Graham replied by stating that the letter was forwarded to the Village District
Study Committee and Planning Commission and that the Board has received a
report from the committee, that would be discussed later in the meeting.
Supervisor
Hameister thanked those people who attended the Fire Company Open House and
thanked the Centre Region Fire Inspection Program for the “smoke trailer”.
Supervisor Hameister
thanked the eight fire departments that assisted with the structure fire on
Schemp Road.
Supervisor
Hameister stated that all voters should have received a flyer from Senator
Corman with regard to a bond issue for $100,000,000 for volunteer fire companies
and recommends support from voters.
TOWNSHIP BUSINESS:
A.
SPRINGFIELD COMMONS.
Tom Songer
stated that the updated plan has been a year in the making. He discussed re-alignment of Torrey Lane and
Loop Road.
Kelliann Foster
compared Springfield Commons and Boalsburg Village. She discussed views from
different locations on the site. She
discussed various slopes and stated the mix of residential housing is to
include 90 units. She described details
of the amenities of the proposed development, which would include a lookout,
gazebo, garden, tot lot, clubhouse and a meadow. She stated that much of the site would remain undisturbed. She emphasized the absorption of storm
water, on site.
Mr. Songer
stated that the design is not final. He
stated that a master plan would need to be submitted and then presented to the
Board at public hearing for approval of the master plan before final design is
accomplished. He discussed the “Best
Management Practice” for storm water management and plans to incorporate those
practices into the planning.
Vice-Chairman
Graham questioned location of sidewalks.
Mr. Songer
replied by stating that sidewalks would be located on both sides.
Ms. Foster
stated that all structures would be connected with a sidewalk, as per ordinance
requirements.
Supervisor
Hameister expressed concern about fire accessibility to the four houses on the
upper section of the property.
Ms. Foster
stated that the private lane is only approximately 600’ long.
Mr. Songer
stated that all streets would be paved to 20’ wide with a turnaround.
Todd Shea stated
that the ordinance issue would need to be approved by the Planning Commission.
Supervisor
Hameister requested that the memo of October 8th from Rob Weaver be
presented to the Planning Commission at the same time.
Vice-Chairman
Graham read through the requests to amend the Harris Township Zoning Ordinance
that regulates PRD’s.
1.
Chapter 12, Article XV, Section 4, DENSITY AND
INTENSITY: (to allow dwellings to have 10’ from setback).
Board members
commented as follows:
Supervisor
Warner – In favor;
Supervisor
Wilson – In favor;
Supervisor
Hameister – In favor;
Vice-Chairman
Graham – In favor.
2.
Chapter 12, Article XV, Section 5, PARKLAND,
RECREATION, AND COMMON OPEN SPACE REQUIREMENTS: (to allow woodlands to be considered “open space”).
Mr. Songer
stated that credit is being requested for woodland to be considered
“usable.” He stated that open space
woodland is usable because people can walk through and use it for recreation
purposes.
Ms.
Foster stated that the land could be used for picnic areas.
Board
members commented as follows:
Supervisor Warner – In favor;
Supervisor Wilson – In favor;
Supervisor Hameister – In favor;
Vice-Chairman Graham – In favor.
Vice-Chairman Graham questioned if the ground
would be open to the public.
Mr. Songer
stated that anyone can walk through and it will not be a “gated community.”
Supervisor
Hameister questioned if paths could have more connectivity.
Mr. Songer
said yes, except where the land is too steep.
Mr. Shea
referenced his memo of October 14, 2002 saying woodland should be
“usable.” He stated the need for
amenities for recreation, trails, etc. He advised that some woodland should be
considered for elimination to make room for recreation.
Ms. Foster
stated that clearing would be a possibility, but that it would impact storm
water absorption.
Mr. Weaver
stated that trees should be preserved at the location.
Vice-Chairman
Graham questioned the possibility of homeowners wanting a ballfield.
Mr. Songer
stated that the land development plan would have to be amended and approved.
Mr. Shea
stated that there is not enough land area for active recreation.
Paul Weener
stated that a path would be made if enough people walk through the land.
3.
Chapter 12, Article XV, SECTION 17, TRAFFIC AND
PEDESTRIAN ACCESS: (to allow PRD with
no non-residential uses to access a local street).
Mr. Shea stated
that staff supports the concept that traffic be allowed to access local
streets, but that there should be a limit of trips per day. He expressed agreement with the concept.
Supervisor
Hameister questioned the anticipated daily trips of transportation.
Mr. Songer
stated the limit should be approximately maximum 900 trips per day for the
development.
Supervisor
Hameister questioned the Centre Daily Times and US Mail delivery being part of
that plan.
Mr. Songer
stated that the transportation engineer did not indicate negative impact.
Mr. Songer
stated that the traffic analysis showed that in the a.m. peak hour, there are
no left turns of people going down Torrey Lane. He stated that in the p.m. peak hour there were eight trips. He stated that in the p.m. peak there was
less than one vehicle per minute traveling on Main Street.
Katie Ombalski
questioned if the spring would be affected by the change in the road.
Ms. Foster
stated that it would not.
Vice-Chairman
Graham stated not to “over-react” to traffic on Loop Road.
b)
Paragraph C – RIGHT OF WAY
Mr. Shea
stated that the Board of Supervisors could approve a 10’ easement and request
that a narrower right-of-way to allow houses to sit closer to the street and
would supercede the ordinance that requires a 50’ right-of-way.
The
Board of Supervisors was in agreement.
c)
Paragraph E – COMMON DRIVEWAY
Mr. Shea
stated that there were two requests, the first being that driveways currently
have to be located at least 50’ from intersections under the current
ordinance. He stated that when compared
to Penn Dot regulations, the staff would recommend no less than 30’. He stated that the second request deals with
multiple driveways. He stated that Mr.
Songer is requesting a 10’ separation.
He stated that when comparing with Penn Dot regulations, staff would
recommend at least 20’ separation.
Mark
Torretti stated that under the current zoning ordinance for R-1 driveways, they
could be 10’ apart.
Supervisor
Wilson agreed that driveways should be combined where possible.
Supervisor
Hameister questioned the width of common driveway.
Mr.
Shea stated that common driveway entrances could be narrow and widened or they
could be wider at the street line.
Vice-Chairman
Graham stated that there is 10’ less setback.
Mr.
Shea discussed the safety issues of sidewalks on both sides.
Vice-Chairman
Graham stated that it would be common sense to look when pulling out or walking
through a development, questioning why the Township would be concerned about
safety.
Mr.
Shea reminded the Board members that health, safety, and welfare were the chare
of all governing bodies.
Ms.
Foster questioned if a 20’ distance from driveway centerlines could be
considered.
Mr.
Shea stated that it would be hard to control driveway width.
Ms.
Foster stated that if 20’ is required, the first house would dictate where
driveways will be located on the street.
She stated that the design would be a “cookie cutter.”
Mr.
Songer advised that 3a talks about why Torrey should be the collector in the
future.
Roy
Love questioned what will happen at the public hearing.
Vice-Chairman
Graham stated that the Board will receive public input on the proposal
ordinance change.
Mr.
Shea stated that the PRD master plan public hearing would occur if the master
plan and narrative were ready before the next Board of Supervisors meeting.
Mr.
Songer advised that a time extension has been submitted.
Upon a motion
made by Supervisor Wilson, seconded by Supervisor Warner and carried
unanimously, the Board moved to direct staff to prepare and advertise an
ordinance for consideration at the November 11, 2002 Board meeting that
includes the elements requested by GTW Associates memo dated October 2, 2002.
Ayes – 4; Nays – 0
The Harris
Township Board of Supervisors recessed at 9:05 p.m. and reconvened at 9:07 p.m.
B.
THE “HAUNTED PRESERVE.”
Mr. Miller
explained that the Board of Supervisors must consider the following required
actions:
The Boalsburg
Village Conservancy must provide a certificate of insurance naming Harris
Township as an additional Insured for the event; limits of liability for the
organizer’s insurance must be the same as the Township’s ($1,000,000 per
occurrence and a $2,000,000 general aggregate limit). This action required by the Township insurance carrier.
The Board of
Supervisors must decide to approve or not approve the requested closure of Main
Street between Wagner Street and Bailey Lane during the hours of 5:30 P.M. and
11:00 P.M., Friday, October 25, 2002 and Saturday, October 26, 2002.
Board members
must decide whether to approve Boalsburg Fire Company Fire Polices’
participation in a non-emergency event.
Board members
must decide on the placement of a banner to promote the event, as requested.
Board members
must decide on the policy issue of the concept of charging persons an admission
fee of $5.00 to use a publicly owned facility.
Mr. Miller
stated that a “donation” should be substituted for “admission fee” and that no
one is denied access to the preserve as it is public land.
Board members
must decide the issue of use of the land after dusk.
Members of the
committee indicated the time of the road closure should be changed from 5:30
P.M. to 6:00 P.M. until 11:00 P.M.
Supervisor
Hameister suggested that the organizers of the Haunted Preserve make
refreshments available to the fire police who will be providing traffic
control.
Upon a motion
made by Supervisor Hameister, seconded by Supervisor Warner and carried
unanimously, the Board moved to approve the five requests for the “Haunted
Preserve” as shown in the agenda as amended.
Ayes – 4; Nays – 0.
C.
PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE EARNED INCOME TAX
RULES AND REGULATIONS.
Vice-Chairman
Graham stated that paragraph 2, Article IV, Section 401B, should be changed to
state that Federal Tax Return forms should be accepted and that the decision
not be left up to the residing tax officer.
Vice-Chairman
Graham and Supervisor Wilson agreed that the last paragraph on the last page
should be changed to state contributions to Section 125 plans should be taxed
consistent with policies of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Supervisor
Wilson stated that PA guidelines should be followed.
Upon a motion
made by Supervisor Hameister, seconded by Supervisor Wilson, the Board moved to
direct staff to forward these comments of the Board to the State College Area
School District and the Centre Region Tax Collectors for consideration. Ayes – 3; Nays – 1 (Vice-Chairman Graham).
D.
TAX COLLECTION AGREEMENT WITH SCASD.
Board members
expressed concern about “item #10,” which they indicated was too restrictive.
Upon a motion
made by Supervisor Wilson, seconded by Supervisor Warner and carried
unanimously, the Board moved to direct staff to advise State College Area
School District that item #10 of the agreement should be worded to require
deposits be made whenever collection of amounts reaches $5,000.00, but not more
than one time a day. Ayes – 4; Nays –
0.
E.
ASHWORTH WOODS PARK UPDATE.
Mr. Miller
stated that he has been in contact with Rich Kalin, local spokesman for the
developers of Ashworth Woods regarding their lack of progress in dedicating
parkland to the Township as they agreed to do when the development was
approved.
Mr. Miller
stated that the problematic issue is that of insurance, being that there is
private access to the park. He stated
that the owners’ insurance carrier is not agreeable to a “public” park in
Ashworth Woods, with “private” access.
Mr. Miller
stated that Mr. Kalin has provided a proposed settlement. He stated that the insurance carrier has no
problem with the land set aside in the approved plans for Ashworth Woods being
developed by the owners as parkland for the use by the “residents of Ashworth
Woods and their guests.” He stated that
they claim Ashworth Woods must own the land.
He stated that the developers would pay the Township up to $5,000.00 for
the inconvenience.
Mr. Miller
stated that instead of $5,000.00 being paid to the Township, a “fee-in-lieu”
should be paid to the Township.
Mr. Miller
stated if public parkland is desired, the Township is at odds with the
insurance carrier (and most likely the owner of the property) which would most
likely take the Township into litigation.
He stated that a second alternative would be to authorize staff to
negotiate with the property owner. He
stated that parties are in agreement on issues except the amount being owed to
the municipality.
Vice-Chairman
Graham stated that there are “too many lawyers involved” and believed not
having parkland at Ashworth Woods to be an intentional act of the owners. He stated that not to deed over the land is
not an accident. He stated that he is
in favor of forcing developers to develop the land.
Mr. Miller
stated that it is not fair to just punish the tenants and again asked Board
members to authorize staff to work toward developing an agreement with the
landowners.
By consensus,
Board members asked staff to research what the total cost of the playground
equipment purchased for Ashworth Woods was; how much “fee-in-lieu” funding the
developers of Ashworth Woods has provided so far; and what the “fee-in-lieu”
would be for the entire parkland area shown on the approved plans for Ashworth
Woods would be.
F.
REGIONAL PARK COMMENTS.
Supervisor Warner
stated that there was a public hearing held on the grant proposal and it is
currently moving forward. He stated
that if the grant were received land acquisition would not cost Harris Township
any money initially.
Vice-Chairman
Graham questioned whom the land would be deeded to.
Supervisor
Warner stated that Ferguson Township would own one parcel, College Township
would own one parcel and Harris Township would own one acre.
Vice-Chairman
Graham questioned responsibility of development of property.
Supervisor
Warner stated that each township would develop their own parcel.
Supervisor
Wilson stated that it would be hard to believe that Ferguson Township would be
funding development of their tract.
Supervisor
Warner stated that the grant amount is $713,000.00. He stated that the house would be sold off of the property in
College Township.
Supervisor
Wilson questioned if COG could own the land.
Supervisor
Warner stated that issue is still being discussed.
By consensus, Board
members agreed that staff should express the following comments about regional
park acquisition: Board members expressed interest in learning whether the
Centre Region Council of Governments could own the land and requested
verification that the municipalities in which the park land is located and who
will be developing the land as “regional” parks.
G.
BOALSBURG COLONIAL CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION.
Upon a motion
made by Supervisor Hameister, seconded by Supervisor Warner and carried
unanimously, the Board moved to grant approval to the Boalsburg Village
Association to close Main Street on Sunday, December 1, 2002 from Omega Bank to
Tennis Alley from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. for “Boalsburg Colonial Christmas
Celebration”. Ayes – 4; Nays – 0
H.
THE VILLAGE DISTRICT COMMITTEE REPORT.
Vice-Chairman
Graham questioned how review of the plan would proceed.
Mr. Miller
stated when the Planning Commission’s recommendations are complete they would
be forwarded to the Board with a detailed discussion of the report and the Board
can discuss the report and decide what steps to implement.
Supervisor Hameister questioned a reference to a
1994 report.
There
was no action taken on this item.
MANAGER’S REPORT:
Vice-Chairman
Graham asked if officials to assure compliance with Section 42 inspect Ashworth
Woods.
Mr.
Miller stated that road inspection is scheduled for Wednesday, October 16th
at 4:00 P.M.
Vice-Chairman
Graham stated that he asked the Boalsburg Heritage Museum Association of Harris
Township to present the Board with a request for funding and to include a list
of expenses with regarding budget session.
He also requested possibly developing another dirt infield ball field
for Harris Township with regard to Parks and Recreation.
Supervisor
Hameister suggested the ball field be located in Kaywood.
Vice-Chairman
Graham suggested moving the backstop at Blue Spring Park toward the stream and
away from the basketball court.
APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS:
Upon a motion made by Supervisor Wilson, seconded by Supervisor Warner and carried unanimously, the Board moved to approve Voucher Transmittal Sheet No. 02-10. Ayes 4; Nays – 0.
COG COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Executive Committee No report.
Building Oversight Committee No report.
Finance Committee Meeting canceled. Next meeting to be
held November 2, 2002. Budget is to be
mailed. Next year, COG budget is “lean”.
COG Program Committee No report.
Personnel Committee Meeting
held September 10, 2002. Reviewed
computer internet and email policy.
Stated library has own policy.
Advised Betsy Allen is the first COG 30-year employee
Code Committee Discussed
Code adoption process and parking structures are to be inspected every 7 years.
Public Services Committee No report.
Spring Creek Watershed
Committee Approved the
support for liquid fuels funding grant for Harris Township in request for
funding from Centre County. Meeting for
public officials is scheduled for October 29, 2002 at the Environmental
Building of Solid Waste Authority.
Regional Parks Committee No report.
Transportation Committee Presentation by
Ron Seybert of the Trans Associates.
SCCCTS Committee No report.
I.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
The Harris
Township Board of Supervisors Meeting was recessed at 10:46 p.m. for Executive
Session.
There was no
action taken at the executive session.
The Harris
Township Board of Supervisors Meeting reconvened at 11:00 p.m.
Upon a motion
made by Supervisor Warner and seconded by Supervisor Wilson and carried
unanimously, the Board approved acceptance of the revised Inter-Municipal
Agreement for Engineering Services between College Township and Harris Township
and authorized the Chairman and Secretary to sign the original agreement on
behalf of Harris Township. Ayes – 4;
Nays – 0.
ADJOURNMENT:
Vice-Chairman
Graham, adjourned the October 14, 2002, meeting of the Harris Township Board of
Supervisors at 11:01 p.m. Ayes – 4;
Nays – 0.