Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Okay. All right. Good evening everyone and welcome to the town of McCandless Planning Commission meeting for April 1st, 2025. Uh there's only one item on the agenda, so this should be a relatively quick meeting. And that one item is the Blazier Drive subdivision plan number five, amendment number three, mortgage subdivision. Uh this is similar to what we did last meeting. uh and I think in the past I can't remember exactly but I know we've done it before. Uh I do not know whether there's a presentation. Uh is there going to be representation? There wasn't last there wasn't last time. RJ just kind of I mean basically this is taking the the larger property that uh is is at the site and subdividing it so that these units can be sold. A mortgage subdivision. This is lot one similar to what you reviewed at the last meeting and have reviewed twice before. I think these are units 17 through 22. So it'll be another six unit chop up on this single parcel. Right. I remember the presentation. Um it's it's a mortgage subdivision which is rather straightforward. Uh, and it's along the exact lines of what was in the master plan because I don't know. Uh, not in the master plan, but in their original submission. I think this was their master plan. Now, now that they they're out there physically, this is what is going to be exactly, right? But is it it's in accordance with what was approved as the overall development plan is my question. I was part of that planning um and um I think on council at the time and yes it is okay that was my one question and there will be more of these uh I don't know how many more don't have any background three more I think so okay so we'll be

seeing this again and each time they develop a little segment within that bigger plan that they presented at the initial time uh they come through and ask for this mortgage subdivision which I assume gateways looked at it. Any issues? Uh we have looked at it. We do not have any issues or concerns with this plan. Okay. Uh any comments uh questions, issues from the anyone on the commission? Uh is there uh public comment going to happen? Uh are it is it doesn't refer to this on the Okay. Something something different, right? Okay. Okay. Well, we'll get through this first then. Uh, so there appears to be no public comment and nothing online, I'm assuming, okay. U Okay. So then what we need then is a motion to recommend the town council approve the Blazer Drive subdivision plan number five, amendment number three, which is a mortgage subdivision application. Can I have such a motion? So moved. So moved from Shelley, a second. Second from Al. All in favor? I I opposed. Eyes have it. Uh that's uh agenda number one. Uh item number two. Uh there are March 4th minutes that have been pushed out and we should have all seen them by now uh from our last meeting. Any comments or edits or questions on the minutes that came out online? Nothing. Okay. Uh then can we have a motion to approve the meeting minutes of March 4, 2025? So moved. So moved from Shelley. Second. And you're seconding. I've always I

wasn't here. So Al will second. Okay. Dynamic duo. Shel. All right. All in favor? I opposed. No opposed. And one abstension for man. All right. Uh, okay. I said it was going to be a short meeting. So, sir, you are we are available for any public comment issues that you would like to bring forward. State your name, please. Uh, Timothy Triplet. Uh I live 9,0009 Null Street and I have I'm here today to follow up on the com uh commissioner meetings where uh for the I have deep concerns with the Rachel Carson Eco Village that is being presently constructed or uh being put in there. Um, I spoke with the architect of Rachel Carson and he uh informed me that the parking lot would be closer to the emergency room near the hospital. And as um as you can see uh they've clearcut completely up to my property line. Um, and ultimately it would be great if I could sit here before the council and ask if the planning commission can reconsider where the final parking lot is going to be, but I know that's highly unlikely and the damage has been done. However, with that being said, the green space that I've had for the last 23 years and the house that I purchased was my wife. So her she's been as a toddler, she's been going to this property for 58

years and the green space is completely gone. So my concern is being that it's a parking lot, if you can enlighten me to uh with what type of trees do they plan on putting in perhaps uh when do they plan on replacing the green space? And most importantly, if it's a parking lot, how do they plan on eliminating it? Because quite frankly, it's, you know, to be kind, it's affected my lifestyle drastically. Um, but I came here today because the answers I was receiving from the project manager and the architect were uh not not so truthful. So, I was hoping confusing. I'm sorry. They were certainly confusing. It's confusing. Um, I'm not opposed to the project when I said this to the sisters, but the the truth of the matter is my life has been my quality of my life has been drastically affected physically, mentally, and financially. And I, you know, I could give you details, but that's not what I'm here about. I was I'm concerned and I know it's far-fetched, but if I asked the commission here today to before they permanently put a parking lot behind my house and the earth movers are still there, but and the to I just was hoping to hear answers of what type of trees they plan on putting in and what obviously when And like I said about the parking lights being illuminated. I mean I'm that's a deep concern for me because right now I have traffic

lights coming into my you know inv my I'm exposed. My backyard is exposed. Um so with the details of the plan I'd be happy to show you. You can come back to any uh town halls regularly open 8 to 4. I can show you what was presented at the p public meetings. So you can see the replanting plan see the uh lighting plan etc. Right. Um I don't know those off the top of my head and probably nobody in this room does. Absolutely. Yeah. Unless you have it on. There is a buffer proposed. That that's sort of what I was getting at. I I was led to believe that he he told me that it's it's wet land there and I'm aware of that. I've been living there's natural springs under that come off that hill and there is what he said they wouldn't be able to build there but he was going to have it closer to the emergency. And I said that's fine as long as you can leave some type of buffer. Well, they clearcut completely up to my property line and I mean it's it in all fairness the the parking lot could only be there because that's their only access to Cumberland Road as I remember. Yeah. And the intent there from the access from um the the emergency sp Yeah. There's two accesses, right? The Cumberland crossings and the emergency room. Yeah. So, where the um parking lot crossing is going to be that road crossing. The way the ordinance is written, you need to be either directly across from the other access or you have to be a certain distance away. I forget. Well, I was happy that they they stuck with the intersection other than having a staggered. It would have been staggered. Yeah, for that reason. So, I think that was um partially with where the parking lot was at. Um I do know there are there is some buffer um plantings proposed. Correct. Typically, I don't know their sequencing off the top of my head on what they plan to complete fully first. And um we'll say you know if they're going to kind of do all the plantings typically on most projects I see that happens towards the end once the earth um you know has been disturbed and kind of set to where it

needs to be in top soil can be replaced. Um typically that's when the trees will be kind of brought in and planted. Um so just keep that in mind. But I don't know if they have a different plan from a sequencing standpoint to maybe like work up there first and then move on. I'm I'm not um right, you know, tied into that part of it. Um but yeah, there should be a buffer that will be replanted if trees were taken. Yeah, that I mean that was one of my main concerns because I mean you could sit there and say we're going to put plants in there, but you put a twoft rose bush or you know boxwood they because they another thing too also they they the elevation which was level they dropped it significantly maybe 8 to 10 feet. If you plant a tree on the bank, it's going to by the time it's mature, you know, 4 foot pine tree goes 1 foot per year. So, you're talking 10 15 years before that tree is going to reach the level of the ground. So, you know, I'm cons I'm just concerned that they're going to and I'm sure you've reviewed the plans. Yeah. And I would highly recommend that you do come back in and talk to John or or somebody that can help you take a look at it because the buffers, for example, they don't plant two foot. I mean, they plant full canopy trees and understory trees and it it's spelled out what has to be planted. That's what I would think that you would be the ones that it is spelled out that we are and it is spelled out and that's what they have to adhere to. Okay. Yeah. Fantastic. And so as to the sequencing of it, yeah, that might take a while. Sure. And then they have to wait for the right season. If it they finish up in the dead of winter, they won't plant them, etc. You can understand that. I accept that fullheartedly. I just I just was led to believe it was going to be a lot farther down because it was odd that they put a parking lot uh adjacent to the on the perimeter of their property

and the residents where they're building their condos are pretty much as far away from where they could possibly be. Like the parking lots here and the residents will be It's a good That was their plan. Yeah, exactly. And their answer to me was, "Well, we like to walk." Well, yeah, but what does that Yeah. That doesn't answer my question. Like, when what do you plan on putting in a buffer because you I mean, boy, I wish they will. The whole premise of this group is to be good stewards to the environment. So, I'm sure, you know, like I said, I don't know it off the top of my head, but we'll take a look at it with you. We'll make sure that whatever they're approved, and keep in mind, they've been approved. So, whatever they have drawn is what they have to build. Sure. Um, you know, so we'll make sure that they follow that and put in what they said they were going to. I honestly can't remember if the parking lot was even lighted. I I was thinking I'm not sure. I don't remember seeing any details for lights. Yeah. I don't Do you Do you know Was that a question that you asked them and they talked about lighting? Uh, they claimed they were going to have low lit lighting. Yeah. Okay. I don't think it's Yeah. Right. like like it is a passive in where they're above the walkways and whatnot and and I I you know and I was hoping but but honestly the reason I'm here today is because I wanted to actually hear what the township had to say about it because they're telling me one thing and it's not necessarily what's taking place. Come and see the plan because it'll it'll make it pretty clear. I would think so. That's why I'm here. I mean good for me too before I was hired so I can look at it with you and learn too. I would love that. I mean, I would love that because like I told you, it was, you know, I'm not opposed to the project. I I understand. I met with the sisters. I met with this group of people that are moving in and I've been following this from the the the resoning of it from institutional to light residential and the whole way through. But, um, like I said, they did clear cut

all the way to my property line and then the parking lot is kind of odd that it's so far away and and like you said, that's what they wanted. they want to walk or whatever their answer is. And well, it was also in part to protect some of the major trees that are on the property. Exactly. But that but in but with that being said, the trees that protected my property are gone. You know, they could have done that closer. That's what I thought was like why wouldn't you want to reside here and have your parking lot right there, but it's exactly what you just said because that would require them to remove the trees because that's what they that's what their motto is is to save the trees. And um but yeah, I would if you could show me what's in the plan. Call set up a time and and come on in. Uh and please set up a time because you know, you've got other uh appointments and things that he uh but if you do, uh John or somebody will be glad to uh to look at them if you Yeah, we we just don't have those plans with us. I understand. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And I mean, and I wasn't really even shown these plans actually till I spoke with the superintendent. That's the excavation crew who was on site doing the prep site right now. And he kind of filled me in, but he also he told me there was budget cuts already, which was concerning to me because I said they're just in the prep site phase already making. If there are budget cuts, they cannot uh take away from the requirements that we impose upon them. Right. So if they have to cut something, it's not in our requirements. Okay. If that gives you any comfort. Well, it does give me some Yeah. relief because like I said, you're the ones who actually have to approve of of this. All right. So, I we appreciate your comments. I thank you and I will be in touch with you. So, thank you. What's your first name? Tim. Tim, look forward to meeting with you. No problem. Thank you very much. Thank you. All right. Um

uh All right, we're finished then. Then we just need a motion to adjurnn. I'll make that one. Oh, now you're gonna do it. Yeah. Yeah. She jump. Sure. Take the easy one. I motion from Ann. Second. Second. Oh, Brendon jumping in there. Second from Brendon. All right. Uh, all in favor of adjourn. I I We are journed. Good night, everybody.