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South Annville Holdings, LLC’s conditional use hearing was presented at the monthly South Annville Township Board of Supervisors meeting on Wednesday, April 10.
The conditional use hearing was required because South Annville Holdings, LLC made changes to its original project plans, which were approved in a previous hearing in October of 2021.
The project in question is the Southgate development, which is East of Bachman Run, North and South of Crestview Drive and Gingrich Ave and West of Spruce Ave. The plans were reviewed after the first conditional use hearing, and minor changes were made.
Southgate will now have 252 single-family dwelling units, which is two fewer units than the initial proposal, with 12 open-space lots.
Chad Smith of Steckbeck Engineering was the only witness. The board unanimously approved a motion to appoint Smith as an expert witness.
Four residents were recognized as parties in the hearing: Martha Thompson, 875 Bachman Run; Robert Miller Baird, 401 Bachman Boad; Glenn Reichardt, 805 Bachman Road; and Joshua Kuhn, 909 Locust Road.
South Annville Holdings, LLC’s counsel objected to the recognition of Kuhn as a party, as his property is not directly adjacent to Southgate (he estimated that his property is about one tenth of a mile away from Southgate).
Parties have the right to appeal the final decision of the board.
A motion to recognize all four residents as parties was unanimously approved.
The current hearing addressed changes in open space and construction time periods.
The zoning ordinance typically requires a minimum of 35% open space for neighborhoods that are three-way developments. However, the previous conditional use hearing granted a reduction of the open space requirement to 31%. The current design incentive proposes 31.07% of open space, which is in excess of the previous requirement.
Additionally, the initial plans proposed a three-phase schedule for construction. The updated plan proposes four phases. The construction of all four phases would be completed by Dec. 31, 2032.
Smith reported that the improvements to Bachman Run will be completed in phase 1 of the plan. Additionally, none of the entrances to the development require traffic signals per PennDOT’s evaluation.
Community members also questioned Smith about lighting along the internal and external roads and the pedestrian walkway. Smith stated that the street lighting will be 12-foot lights. The pedestrian walkway will have small lights with low wattage.
The Department of Environmental Protection has already approved the stormwater management plan. The plan meets ordinance requirements, and the appropriate permits have been awarded.
The board will report its decision at its regular May meeting.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Glenn Reichardt expressed discontent with the current signage placed at the location of South Annville Holdings, LLC’s Southgate development. Supervisor Dale Hoover stated that the signage is dictated by state laws.
Allison Garner of Rettew Associates, Inc. provided the following updates in the engineer’s report:
- Josele Cleary, South Annville Township solicitor, has drafted the Brandt Road culvert replacement project permanent and temporary easements.
- A motion to release the 15-month maintenance bond of $112,084.95 for the Meadows at Bachman Run phase 3 financial security review was unanimously approved.
- The 2024 road project bid was awarded to D. E. Gemmill at $30,001.
The supervisors also discussed the following topics:
- A motion to accept the revised BETA/Hershey project plans was unanimously approved. The acceptance included two pages of amendments to the stormwater management agreement. The South Annville Township Planning Commission and Cleary recommended approval.
Read More: The Hershey Company seeks approval for expansion of Annville Fulfillment Center
- A motion to give a letter of support to Jason Chance for the Got the Nerve Triathlon was unanimously approved. The triathlon is held annually on Mine Road.
- The board gave township manager Jeanette Henning permission to move forward with the wireless router for the police department. Additionally, Henning will renegotiate the computer service agreement with Eagle Secure Solutions to eliminate services that are not necessary for the township website.
- A memorandum of understanding regarding line painting and the traffic signal at Route 422 and Clear Spring Road for North Annville Township will be prepared for the May regular meeting.
- Heather Mesko, assistant township manager, reported that the township building vestibule is nearing completion.
- Henning reported that the updated South Annville Township website is now up and running.
- South Annville Township Police Chief Ben Sutcliffe presented the March police report.
- Motions to approve the March secretary’s report, treasurer’s report and pay the monthly bills were unanimously approved.
South Annville Township supervisors meet at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. Meetings are held in the township building at 1042 Horseshoe Pike and are open to the public. Next month’s meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 15.
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