Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Are we live now? Yeah. Okay. At this point, I am calling to order the September 16th meeting of Columbia Burough Planning Commission. May I have roll call, please? Yes. Um, chairperson here. [Music] Uh, Vice Chair Lynn, present. Secretary Lynn here. Member Evans here. Member Hartman here and memberlair.lair

had already advised that she would not be making this meeting and I would note that two members Tiffany Lynn and Brad Lynn are on the line with uh virtual this evening. So we do have our quorum this evening. Uh could we stand for a moment of silence? [Music] Pledge to the flag.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay. Thank you. At this time, I would look for a motion with regard to the minutes of our July 22nd meeting that you have in your packets. I would note that the August meeting was cancelled. So moved. I have a motion from Justin. Do I have a second? Second.

I have a second from Maryland. Any comments, corrections? Hearing none, signify by saying I. I. I. I.

Motion carries. We have no zoning hearings planned. At this point, uh the engineer review on the application we will be discussing under action items. We have no demolition applications. We have no general public in attendance. So, we are then down to action items. Review of the final plan for 154 156 South Fifth Street and 461 Avenue K. And this is the uh land bank project. So, Derek, do you want to take the lead on that or do we want to

Sure, I will I will kick it off and happily turn it over to Steve from Harbor Engineering to give you an introduction on the project. Okay, Steve. Yep. So, again, Steve Gley, Harbor Engineering, and this is Sean Crump from the Langster Land Bank. Hi.

Sean. Um, yeah. So, these are three properties on Fifth Street, Church Street, and Avenue K. Uh, three existing lots. There were two dwellings that were demolished in the last couple of years. Um, and what the plan is for the land bank to do is to resubdivide these properties into four lots and have two sets of like twin dwellings. Um, two facing Fifth Street and two facing Church Street with a driveway and a parking area from Avenue K. So, we'll go over the plans a little more detail. Um, I'm also going to pass these out as well. So I think these might be helpful. This is the harb application uh exhibits that um their architect tippets weird presented to get architectural review board and it just kind of gives us the context.

Pretty cool. Thank you. Thank you Steve. Thanks Steve. But you want to talk a little bit about [Music]

Yeah. I mean I'm sure you're all familiar with the Lancaster County Land Bank Authority. anybody's on that is not. We've worked a lot with the burrow in the past. We're an organization um that seeks to deter blight um develop new housing units whether that's through rehabilitation or in this case new construction. So generally, you know, we identified these units a few years ago to existing units that were fronting South Fifth Street which had a fire at, you know, both of the units. They were severely damaged. So we were forced unfortunately again we often rehabilitate units. these were not salvageable. So we did move forward with the demolition. Um we worked closely then with Tippets Weaver um to put together a plan to develop four new units at the site uh that we intend to use as um rental units. Um I think that's basically I most of the background that I can give. I'll I can uh answer any other questions after Steve goes over the you know plan itself. But that's generally the plan that we put together um over the past couple of years again in collaboration with Tivid Weaver. And if you look at the designs, um these have taken a significant amount of time to put together. We're very happy with what we were able to come up with and we think it's going to make a great addition um to that area. You know, developing brand new units um that we feel with all of the design elements we've included will fit in well with the neighborhood. So, you can go ahead. Yeah. So, one advantage that these units will be able to have is is off- streetet parking unlike I think a lot of the homes in that area. So, it really shouldn't shouldn't be an additional burden on on street parking. Um there will be eight parking spaces um that'll be within a shared parking area and driveway from Avenue K, which is really like an alley. It's a 10 foot wide lane. And then the setbacks for these structures are right up against like the the uh the rightway lines for Fifth

Street and Church Street. And that's consistent with what your ordinance actually kind of encourages. It encourages you to match what's what's there existing. And then each unit will have a small backyard area with a fenced enclosure. Um we did go to the zoning hearing board uh late last year to get some dimensional zoning variances. So the minimum lot size and this is a highdensity residential is like 2500 square feet. We weren't able to quite get that. Some of the lots are like 21 2200 square feet very close. And then also there's a minimum lot width requirement of 30 feet and we're really not able to meet that either. But we are we were able to show the zoning hearing board that with that dimensional variance we could still make this work and still meet the intent of the ordinance and the density. They were they were very supportive and I think you would also have reviewed that you know prior to the zoning hearing board. So this plan is really very similar to what we presented to the zoning hearing board other than just it it's it's further engineered and design

and that was November of last year. Yeah, it was bad right right before Thanksgiving. I remember that. Yeah.

So, um we did storm water infiltration testing. There's going to be a storm water infiltration bed underneath the shared parking area. So, there'll be the easement will double as a storm water and an access easement, public water, public sewer, um sidewalk along um Church Street, mostly to provide a a front uh for those those lots and provide for the front porches. There's already existing sidewalk along Fifth Street. Um, and then we have a street tree also shown on Fifth Street. Um, we did submit the plans. Derek had done a review and he just uh I'm not sure if he got it yet, but he gave us an updated letter um late this afternoon. So, we really were just down to some administrative items. We also got comments from the county. Really just pretty standard things. I think they mimic some of the comments that Derrick's office had like with clear sight triangles, right?

Making sure that new deeds are recorded, things like that. Um, we have approval from Columbia Water. We're working through the Lassa process right now. We'll work through the sewage planning exemption um and the conservation district as well. But we feel that, you know, these plans are we feel that they're ready for conditional approval if you guys agree. Go down to administrative items. And we do have a few waiverss and modifications are pretty straightforward. Um we're asking for a modification to process this as a preliminary final plan because of its simplicity. Um, we're asking for a modification of parks and open space, not to dedicate any any land. There's really no land to do that here. So, we would I guess we would negotiate that with council whether that's a fee in L of So, we'll we'll do that at that point.

And then the other modification is there's a requirement to have at least three concrete monuments when you do a subdivision. We're having uh we're showing one concrete monument on the north side of the property in between the the line between the other two lots and we have mag nails and pins that everywhere else. The reason for that is there's really no practical way to set monuments because there's so much pavement around the perimeter of the site and other structures. So, um, and CS Davidson is in concurrence with all of those modifications. [Music]

Yes, Derek just gave us here a letter. Yeah, there are no there are no new comments on this letter compared to the last one that was issued. I was able to just go through and mark off some some of the comments that that were addressed with the last you know I'll say this plan as you mentioned this goes back to November of last year before the zoning application

um they came in and met with me and staff at the time to basically do this project, talk about some of the dimensional issues they were having. It was where we developed the plan forward to recommend the variances. So, um, this plan does feel like it's been around for a while because we talked about it for a while and, uh, again, compliments. I think they followed the process correctly and that's why I've not given them too hard of a time here. Planning Commission. Everything was put together very nicely. and they are pretty well damaged.

And I apologize. It is dragging on a month too long because of the cancellation of last month's planning meeting. I do apologize. Not a problem. Again, we're still working through a glass. So, it's this overall this is not a hold up. So, and I see Derek came up with another letter since then. Yeah. Sure. Good.

Okay. All right. So what we are looking at one uh basically the easiest way to nail it down is to look at the letter of September 16th that we were just given this evening from CS Davidson from Derry and uh I'm sorry that Brad and Tip that you don't have a copy of this but it's it's very much similar to what the um August is 13th letter that is in the packet. Okay.

Okay. It's very very similar to that. Um the modification is uh basically the same. It's still the three modifications that are listed in that order. Okay. Yes, we have that. Okay. So those are the same modifications we are looking at this evening in this updated letter that Derek gave us this evening. We will see that you eventually get a copy of that that you have the full uh packet materials for this.

Okay. Thank you. I'm completely comfortable with all the modifications requested by the applicant. Okay. Um Derek is actually emailing this letter to you now that you will be able to view it. Okay. Thank you. Okay. So we are looking for a motion. Do we need to do the the modifications separately? Do we do them separately? I think I would because of the one being uh referring to council. Okay.

In lie of Yeah, that will be on them and that will be a motion to recommend whereas the others would be motion action. Okay. So, you're good at this, Justin? Am I? All right. Yes, you are. All right. So, I'll make a motion to um grant a modification of section 190.18 to file a preliminary plan. Do I have a second?

Okay, I have a motion from Dustin. I'll take a second from Marilyn. Any further discussion? All in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Motion carries. Okay. I'll make a motion to uh recommend Burough Council to accept a fee in lie of dedicating um land for park and open space use. Section 1903. I have a motion. I'll second that. I have you, Tiff, on the second.

I'm sorry. Do do you have any idea about about how much they would have in mind for that? I think this is a discussion between council and uh the land bank, you know, okay, as to what that sum would be and I don't I know it's a great improvement to the properties and for that area and that there really isn't space. So, right. I'm just curious. There's a there's a formula in the subdivision land development ordinance bases the fee on fair market value.

I will say that in the past with land banks that the burrow has been pretty receptive to waving that fee right here. Thank you, Jerry. Just as a matter, I sure that they waved it for those street properties. They have Oh, yeah. Right. Down there near Maple. Okay. I have a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying I. I.

I. I. I Okay, motion carries. Um I'll make a motion to grant approval of the modification of section 19043b um regarding the concrete monuments. I'll second that. Motion from Justin, second from Tiffany. Any further discussion? I think with it being on a corner and especially in an alleyway that that makes complete sense. You actually have two corners you're dealing with on Avenue K at both Fifth and back at Church Street. So, right.

You know, right does make it difficult there. Exactly. Okay. All in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Are you there, Tiff? Oh, yes. I said I I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Okay. I wanted to be sure we had it. Yeah, Brad did, too. Yeah. I I had Brad. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. Motion carries. And they've covered everything as far as what the county had to say. All those things have been covered.

Yep. and we've received their estimate for financial security. Um I just about through that and getting an amount recommended and that will go to council for you and I can talk. I can probably I still have time to get that on next week's agenda

don't want to do that next week. Do you know what date is next week? Uh, it's Tuesday. Yeah. Are you available with something? I should be. So, it would be the 23rd. Since this is the 16th, it would be the 23rd. Yeah. The agenda item tomorrow. Yeah, that'd be great if both could be on and then we talk about the waiver. Yeah. Thanks. Right along here now. So, approve the plan now. Do that. Go for it.

Okay. Um, I'll make a motion to grant approval of the preliminary final subdivision land development plan for land bank authority. Um, conditioned upon satisfying the burough engineers review letter. I'll second that. Okay. I have a motion from Justin, second from Tiffany to approve the final subdivision land development plan. Any further discussion? All in favor signify by saying I. I. I. I. I. Okay. Motion carries. Thanks. All righty. Long time.

See, they're even down there. What kind of uh timeline are you looking at? I know you have to go out for for contract yet. Yeah. So, we'll have to put a full specification bid package together for the project. So, it's really along when um we can get that finalized and worked out with Tippets Weaver once we have all of our approvals. Um it's tough to say the exact timeline. I mean, we would like to get u moving as quickly as we can. However, that could also be dependent upon um if we're going into like winter and we have to like, you know, dig out a basement or anything next year.

I I can't say for sure. That's I It would be great if we can get started by the spring. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Thank you very Thank you. Thank you very much and best wishes. I appreciate what you're planning to do.

Okay. I don't know that we have any old business to discuss. New business. [Music] I'm glad we were able to work this out to get this done. I felt this would not be a long meeting this evening. Okay. Anything new coming to us there? Uh not not that I'm aware of. Demolition for next month? Yeah, they're props demolition. Um

North Second Street. It's going to go to farm first. It's the property right on the alleyway where it's currently condemned.

Right. Initially, I think Simmeron, they were going to use that for their field offices for the chip factory and then with the the fire in there, it was so much damage done to it that they decided, you know, not to do it. And then they had engineers come in and really shish. Okay. So, we'll have that next month. Um, our next meeting is October 21st. I have nothing more this evening. So, at this time at 7:20, I would entertain a motion to adjourn.

Do I have such a motion? So moved. Okay, I have a motion from Justin. Second it. Marilyn second. Jumping. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Motion carries. We are adjourned. I'm just the shortest.