Cornwall P&Z talks phase one of ‘The Knoll at Iron Valley’ subdivision

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Cornwall Borough Planning and Zoning Commission discussed phase one of Cornwall Properties’ “The Knoll at Iron Valley” at its monthly meeting Monday, no action taken.

Phase one, which is now under review by the borough engineer, includes 34 housing units out of the 100 lots (including 92 townhomes and one single family dwelling) planned for the development.

Cornwall Properties representative Mike Swank said the plan includes more parking than is required, with two spaces per unit and additional parking across the street (roughly one spot per two units) for guests.

Commission chair Ray Fratini voiced concern about the development’s historic overlay district compliance, though Swank said it meets these requirements.

Residents voiced concern about plans for Granite Street, which widen the street and include street parking and some additional parking for existing homes. Residents now park across the street in land used for a lot in the development. Fratini agreed he felt this needed changed.

Next month, alternate engineer Josh Weaber explained, the developer expects action on waivers, including one for pipe size, one for fencing around basins, and one for a requirement that the development provide sidewalks on both sides of the street (the developer hopes to include sidewalks on only one side).

Plans for the development include a Miners Village bypass, construction of which is dependent on ongoing negotiations with the Elizabethtown Area Water Authority for the borough to acquire a two-acre strip of land.

Jeremy Zimmerman, member of citizen group Cornwall United 4 Responsible Development, asked the commission about the status of negotiations with the EAWA.

Fratini criticized Zimmerman’s attendance of public EAWA meetings, saying he felt Zimmerman’s input could jeopardize negotiations or make the authority feel rushed.

“Two people from the council were going to speak for that body, and it was designed to do such so there wasn’t any sort of misunderstanding,” said Fratini. “When you go — and this is how I feel — you jeopardize that. I appreciate you going, and I appreciate what you bring back, but if you can just go and don’t say anything, that’s what you should be doing.”

Zimmerman said he was attending meetings as a private citizen and member of a citizen group, and his comment was limited to providing information available from the borough website (such as proposed development information). He said he has been attending EAWA meetings since before discussions with the borough began.

“I think you’re a little over the line on Jeremy,” said council woman Julie Bowman, who was in attendance Monday. “Anybody’s allowed to attend those meetings, he can certainly go in and get an update as a citizen. I would agree 100 percent that they shouldn’t be offering any opinions or negotiating this on behalf of Cornwall, but nobody’s done that.”

Fratini agreed Zimmerman was allowed to attend but repeated that he should not be providing information or opinions. Zimmerman responded that he did not speak at all at the last meeting he attended. Fratini told Zimmerman to be careful.

Commission-member Joe Lescisko asked that Zimmerman identify himself as not representing the borough if he spoke at these meetings. Zimmerman said he identifies himself both verbally and on the sign-in sheet as a representative of Cornwall United 4 Responsible Development.

Councilman and commission-member Bruce Conrad said negotiations with EAWA are going well, and the EAWA may announce an offer and associated conditions soon. However, he asked the borough to be patient as the EAWA has experienced unexpected board changes.

In other news, the commission:

• Discussed the Cliffs at Iron Valley plan, including further discussion about Cobalt Alley and the possible purchase of Lot 114, an oddly-shaped parcel by Cobalt Alley, by the borough for recreation. No action was taken.
• Discussed general regulations on signs in the borough, no action taken.

The Cornwall Planning and Zoning Commission meets the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. It will hold a special meeting at 10 a.m. April 13. These meetings are open to the public and do not require prior registration.