Heidelberg planning commission recommends approval of two plans

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The Heidelberg Township Planning Commission approved two plans for recommendation to the board of supervisors at Monday night’s meeting, Sept. 21, with one receiving conditional approval.

Both plans also included requests for several waivers.

ISM Construction’s Ivan Martin presented a land development plan for 146 Sinclair Road, where a proposed business building is to be constructed. 

Martin requested four waivers for the plan, three of which were approved. The approved waivers allow the plan to move directly to final approval rather than preliminary approval, reduce the required berm from eight feet to five feet, and change the required slope from a 5-to-1 ratio to a 3-to-1 ratio.

The fourth waiver, which concerns the dedication of land for a future right-of-way, was deferred. Under a deferral, the developer is not required to dedicate the land at this time, but the township could require the dedication at a later point.

The commission voted to recommend approval of the plan and forward it to the board of supervisors for final approval.

Carta Engineering’s Brynn Schaffer then presented a two-lot subdivision plan for 1713 Heidelberg Ave. 

Schaffer requested six waivers, which were all approved. Five waivers, which passed unanimously, allow for a right-of-way dedication on Heidelberg Avenue, waive the requirement to install curbing along the road, reduce the required berm from eight feet to five feet, change the required slope from a 5-to-1 ratio to a 3-to-1 ratio, and waive the requirement for the installation of anti-seep collars.

For the waiver on the matter of road widening and shoulder improvements, commission member Tim Hoffman voted to deny.

Schaffer explained that the request was made because it would be completed on a state road.

“I don’t even think PennDOT would look at that as something that would be warranted,” said Schaffer.  

The commission gave conditional approval for the plan to go to supervisors, pending a clean letter from township engineering firm DM/A. Hoffman voted against the conditional approval.

The commission also discussed with township engineer Scott Hain how the commission would like to receive plans as soon as they are submitted rather than several months later, after they have been reviewed by the engineer. 

“I can provide electronic copies once the plans are submitted, that’s going to be going to the planning commission, but at that point you wouldn’t have any feedback until a couple of weeks later,” said Hain. “Typically the planning commission would get a packet the end of the week before the meeting, and then you have the weekend to look at them.” 

Commission members expressed interest in having more time to review plans before meetings, noting that outside commitments can limit their time and that they want to ensure they have adequate time to review all materials.

“I’ve got three little kids and a business so even having four days is nice,” said chairman Craig Dieffenbach. 

The commission voted to approve this new process. 

In other news, the commission:

• Approved meeting minutes from the June meeting, 4-1, with Hoffman opposed.
• Unanimously approved meeting minutes from July and August.
• Heard public comment from resident Andrew Kline about a turn on Locust Street and the difficulty it causes tractor-trailers. It was recommended to bring the issue to the board of supervisors.
• Heard public comment thanking the commission for the time and service they put into the township. 

The Heidelberg Planning Commission’s next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. at 111 Mill Road. Meetings are open to the public.