CENTRE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES. Thursday, February 5, :30 p.m. Centre Region COG Building

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1 CENTRE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Centre Region COG Building CRPC Members Present: Robert Hoffman Lisa Strickland Sam Evans Sharon Bressler Jon Eich Steve Watson College Township Ferguson Township Halfmoon Township Patton Township State College Borough Pennsylvania State University (PSU) Others Present: Eric Vorwald Tom Zilla Mark Holdren Greg Kausch Mark Boeckel Lyssa Cromell Centre Regional Planning Agency () 1. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Vorwald called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. 2. CRPC REORGANIZATION Prior to reorganization, a round of introductions was made. Mr. Vorwald then opened the floor for nominations for Centre Regional Planning Commission (CRPC) Chair. Motion was made by Mr. Eich and seconded by Ms. Bressler to retain Steve Watson as CRPC Chair for Ms. Bressler moved to close nominations, seconded by Mr. Evans. The motion carried 6-0. There was no representative from Harris Township in attendance. Mr. Vorwald turned the meeting over to Mr. Watson, who opened the floor for nominations for CRPC Vice Chair. Motion was made by Mr. Eich and seconded by Ms. Bressler to retain Sam Evans as CRPC Vice Chair for Mr. Hoffman moved to close nominations, seconded by Ms. Bressler. The motion carried 6-0.

2 Page 2 The Commission then turned its attention to the 2015 meeting schedule. Mr. Evans suggested moving the start time for CRPC meetings to 6:30 p.m. as a way of reducing the amount of downtime between the end of the workday and beginning of the meeting. Mr. Eich expressed concern that the earlier start time could conflict with Work Session meetings, which have typically started at 6:00 p.m. In response, Mr. Vorwald explained that Work Sessions were instituted as part of the 2013 update of the Centre Region Comprehensive Plan, and staff does not anticipate the need for Work Sessions during Mr. Zilla said a 6:30 p.m. start time would follow the trend in the Centre Region for meetings to begin earlier in the evening. In response to a question from Mr. Watson regarding advertising requirements, Ms. Cromell explained that the meeting schedule for 2015 has not yet been advertised, so advertising for an earlier start time would not be a problem. Mr. Watson asked if the earlier start time would cause concerns for C-NET with regard to providing video coverage of meetings; C-NET staff did not foresee any conflicts. Mr. Vorwald said that historically, the start time for CRPC meetings has been at the pleasure of the Commission. Mr. Watson expressed support for a 6:30 p.m. start time but asked that any motion to change the CRPC s regular meeting time be contingent upon a staff review of potential legal constraints. Mr. Eich asked why the January 2016 meeting date proposed in the agenda falls on the second Thursday of the month. In Mr. May s absence, Mr. Zilla explained that this would provide the municipalities with additional time to make appointments. Motion was made by Mr. Evans and seconded by Mr. Hoffman to move the CRPC s meeting time to 6:30 p.m. during 2015, contingent upon a staff review of potential conflicts or legal constraints. The motion carried 6-0. Motion was then made by Mr. Evans and seconded by Ms. Bressler to approve the 2015 meeting scheduled as published in the agenda. The motion carried 6-0. The Commission then turned its attention to appointing liaisons and representatives to other regional organizations. Motion was made by Mr. Evans and seconded by Ms. Bressler to reappoint Jon Eich as the CRPC s representative to the Centre County Metropolitan Planning Organization (CCMPO) for The motion carried 6-0. Motion was made by Mr. Evans and seconded by Mr. Eich to appoint Lisa Strickland as the CRPC s representative to the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center (MMNC) Advisory Committee for The motion carried 6-0.

3 Page 3 Motion was made by Mr. Evans and seconded by Ms. Strickland to appoint Robert Hoffman as the CRPC s liaison to the State College Borough Water Authority (SCBWA) for The motion carried 6-0. Motion was made by Mr. Eich and seconded by Ms. Strickland to appoint Sharon Bressler as the CRPC s liaison the University Area Joint Authority (UAJA) for The motion carried 6-0. Motion was made by Mr. Eich and seconded by Mr. Hoffman to appoint Planning Director Jim May as the CRPC s representative to the CCMPO Technical Committee for The motion carried APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion was made by Ms. Bressler and seconded by Mr. Evans to approve the minutes of the January 8, 2015 Centre Regional Planning Commission (CRPC) meeting. The motion carried CITIZENS COMMENTS There were no citizens comments. 5. REGIONAL INTEREST ITEMS a. College Township Mr. Hoffman reported that the College Township Planning Commission is reviewing proposed zoning ordinance amendments to revise the permitted land uses in several Commercial and Industrial districts. The Commission is also discussing height limitations, design requirements in the R-1 (Rural) zoning district, maximum heights above structures, and historic district language. A rezoning request for properties along Shiloh Road is anticipated for the March meeting. b. Ferguson Township Ms. Strickland reported that the Ferguson Township Planning Commission held its reorganization meeting in January; Marc McMaster will serve as Chair. The Commission recommended approval of a conditional use permit for the former Houtz site along Buckhout Street to be used as a construction staging area for The Metropolitan, a new development in State College Borough. The Commission participated in a joint work session with the Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors to discuss terms and conditions for the Toll Brothers (Cottages at State College) Planned Residential Development (PRD). c. Harris Township There was no report. d. Halfmoon Township Mr. Evans reported that the Halfmoon Township Planning Commission continues to discuss the Township s Future Land Use Map implementation plan. A joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors will be held on February 17, 2105 to discuss areas identified as mixed use on the map. e. Patton Township Ms. Bressler reported that the Patton Township Planning Commission held its reorganization meeting in January; John O Neill will serve as Chairman, and Ms. Bressler will serve as Vice-Chairman. At its February meeting, the Planning Commission

4 Page 4 forwarded proposed zoning changes for the Oakwood Planned Community to the Board of Supervisors. The Commission also recommended approval of two minor subdivision plans for the Gray s Woods Planned Community and a lot consolidation plan for property in the Deerbrook subdivision. The Commission continued its discussion of dog training facilities in the A-1 (Agriculture) zoning district. f. State College Borough Mr. Eich reported that the State College Borough Planning Commission reviewed 60% design plans for the State High Project. As Mr. Eich noted, the project will be built to LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Gold standards in order to take advantage of a $2 million grant award for energy enhancements. The Borough Planning Commission recommended approval of a request from the State College Area School District (SCASD) to reduce the number of parking spaces to 788, approximately 41% fewer than required by the current zoning. Traffic control and signal placement were also discussed; the 60% design plans now show traffic dispersed over five exits to improve traffic flow around the High School. Mr. Eich also reported that the proposed Collegiate Overlay District for the 500 block of East College Avenue was referred to Borough Council. The overlay would require first floor commercial and allow for a minimum of six floors of residential, with incentives to include up to four additional floors, including a second floor of commercial and up to two floors of graduate student/professional housing. g. Pennsylvania State University Mr. Watson reported that plans for the University s new water treatment facility have been reviewed by the College Township Planning Commission and forwarded to Township Council. 6. ACTIVITY REPORT Mr. Vorwald reported that staff is working to address a request from the University Area Joint Authority (UAJA) to update the Centre Region s Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan. Staff is investigating options and meeting with COG Committees to determine the level of interest in updating the plan. Staff is also researching training opportunities that can be offered to municipal Planning Commissioners and planning staff. 7. MUNICIPAL ACTIVITY CONSENT AGENDA a. Permitted Building Heights in the Gateway Commercial District College Township College Township has proposed an amendment to its zoning ordinance to revise the maximum permitted building heights within the Gateway Commercial zoning district. The proposed amendment would allow buildings up to 55 feet in height when located within 300 feet of East College Avenue, regardless of proximity to a single-family home or R-1 (Residential) zoning district. Motion was made by Mr. Evans and seconded by Ms. Bressler to recommend approval of this item on the Consent Agenda. The motion carried 6-0.

5 Page 5 8. GUEST PRESENTATIONS There were no guest presentations. 9. ACTION AGENDA There were no Action Agenda items. 10. POLICY AGENDA a. Centre Regional Planning Commission Orientation This item was deferred until the March 5, 2015 meeting. b. Centre County Metropolitan Planning Organization (CCMPO) Background and CRPC Responsibilities Mr. Zilla presented an overview of the CRPC s role as a voting member of the CCMPO and as the body responsible for executing contracts with PennDOT to provide funding for staff activities that support the CCMPO. The history of this relationship is outlined in the agenda. Mr. Zilla then presented the results of the 2014 Planning Process Review, which was conducted by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and PennDOT to assess the CCMPO s compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations. Based on the results of the review, FHWA and PennDOT determined that the CCMPO fully complies with the spirit and intent of metropolitan transportation planning laws and regulations, and is in compliance with Title 23, United States Code (USC), Section 134. The Final Report is available online at Mr. Eich observed that the benefits of having a well-staffed MPO are only possible because there is a high level of municipal support. He also pointed out that the CCMPO was chosen to be the first MPO in the Commonwealth to undergo a Planning Process Review due to the quality of the planning practices already in place. Mr. Watson emphasized the importance of the CRPC s role as the contracting entity for state and federal funding to support the transportation planning activities of the CCMPO. c. CCMPO Upcoming Transportation Projects and Transportation Planning Activities Mr. Zilla provided an update on key transportation projects that are being advanced in the Centre Region and Centre County, including CATA s Operations and Maintenance Facility Expansion Project, the Atherton Street Drainage and Repavement Project, the SR 3011 Bridge Replacement Project (Branch Road over Slab Cabin Run near the Centre Hills Country Club), the I-99 Exit 71 Waddle Road Interchange Project, the Circleville Road Path TE (Transportation Enhancements) Project, and the SR 322 Potters Mills Gap Project. Mr. Zilla also provided an update on key transportation planning tasks being completed by CCMPO staff, including preparation of the new Centre County Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) 2044, administration of the current Transportation Improvement

6 Page 6 Program (TIP), provision of input about the design of specific projects, and preparation of CATA s new Strategic Plan. The Commission received Mr. Zilla s report; no questions or comments were offered. d. Centre Region Bicycle Plan In Ms. Meek s absence, Mr. Zilla informed the Commission that under the oversight of the COG Transportation and Land Use (TLU) Committee, the is developing a Centre Region Bicycle Plan. During the next few months, Ms. Meek will be attending municipal Planning Commission meetings to present an overview of the plan development process and solicit input for the plan. 11. COMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS a. Centre County Metropolitan Planning Organization (CCMPO) Mr. Eich reported that the CCMPO did not meet during January; however, federal transportation funding will be a topic for discussion at the February meeting. Locally, the Centre County Commissioners discussed the possibility of levying an annual vehicle registration fee (as allowed under Act 89), but support was not unanimous. b. Water Liaison s Report There was no report. c. Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee There was no report. d. University Area Joint Authority (UAJA) Liaison s Report Mr. Vorwald reported that the UAJA held its reorganization meeting on January 21, OTHER BUSINESS The next CRPC meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2015 in the Forum Room of the Centre Region Council of Governments (COG) Building. 13. ADJOURNMENT The CRPC meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lyssa Cromell Recording Secretary