Michael Bonchack, who led the salute to the flag, called the meeting to order at 7:00

Transcription

1 SPRING TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION 1309 BLANCHARD STREET BELLEFONTE, PA REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING MARCH 15, :00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: P.M. Michael Bonchack, who led the salute to the flag, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PLANNING COMMISSION: Members Present: Michael Bonchack, Thomas Craig, Edie Gordon, Thomas Harris, Lindsey Schoch Frank Miceli entered the meeting at 7:02 P.M. Members Absent: ZONING OFFICER: Vaughn Zimmerman GUESTS: An attendance sheet is attached to original copy. ACTION ON MINUTES OF MARCH 15, 2010: With no corrections or additions to the minutes, it was on a motion of Thomas Craig seconded by Thomas Harris to approve the minutes of February 22, 2010 as submitted. Being unanimously approved the motion carried. HEARING OF VISITORS:

2 OLD BUSINESS: OB1 BoreholeWell/Drilling Ordinance Vaughn Zimmerman stated that the Planning Commission wanted someone here to make a presentation on the Borehole/Well Drilling Ordinance so Bill MacMath is here to answer questions. Bill MacMath gave an overview of the Ordinance. He stated a committee was formed and came up with this ordinance. Pennsylvania is one of two states that do not have any regulations on this. He stated with no regulations the boreholes can be left open. We are the only area in Pennsylvania adopting this ordinance. The purpose is to protect wells and drinking water. Existing wells will not be regulated but any new ones will be. He stated that the people that wrote this ordinance are pretty well versed in this area. Michael Bonchack asked if there has been any discussion of DCNR taking on regulation this. Bill MacMath stated no. Frank Miceli asked how do we know if this will be done correctly. Bill MacMath stated there will be training sessions and this will be handled by our building inspector. Thomas Harris asked about inspection and permits costs, etc. Bill MacMath stated the applicant would be responsible for obtaining the permit and Rick Hampton will be our inspector. Thomas Harris is concerned since we are going to be the only ones to do this is it going to get out of hand. Bill MacMath stated no he does feel it will get out of hand. Thomas Harris asked Thomas Craig if this makes sense to him. Thomas Craig stated yes with everything going on there is a lot more chance of wells getting polluted. This will be a stand alone ordinance and will not be part of the Zoning Ordinance. It was on a motion of Thomas Harris seconded by Michael Bonchack to recommend the changes to the proposed Borehole/Well Drilling Ordinance and to recommend that the Spring Township Supervisors schedule a public hearing to adopt the Borehole/Well Drilling Ordinance. Being unanimously approved the motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: NB1 Preliminary/Final Subdivision Plan for Lutheran Commons at Pleasant Gap Stephanie Shoenfelt from Keller Engineers was present to discuss the plans. Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries is being required by HUD to subdivide a plot of land off from the main parcel for the Lutheran Commons land development. This plan will create a acre tract of ground surrounded by the current Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries parcel which will be accessed by rights-of-way along the current private roadway system on the site. Easements will be established for all necessary utilities running to this site.

3 Frank Miceli asked if the easement has been prepared yet. Stephanie Shoenfelt stated he didn t know if a document has been prepared yet. Vaughn Zimmerman stated we don t normally review easement documents. Frank Miceli asked about Centre County comments. Stephanie Shoenfelt stated they were minor in nature technical items. Vaughn Zimmerman stated he hasn t had time to review the county comments yet and would recommend we keep that as part of the condition of approval. Vaughn stated DEP is not requiring planning modules right now only exemption cards. Frank feels we need some kind of document regarding easements. Vaughn Zimmerman stated that is covered in the County comments. At this time, there is only one significant comment remaining from the Spring Township review. This remaining comment has also been addressed by the Centre County Planning Office review. It was on a motion of Edie Gordon seconded by Thomas Craig to recommend conditional approval of the Preliminary/Final Subdivision Plan for Lutheran Commons at Pleasant Gap, Plan dated February 15, 2010, last revised March 1, Condition of approval being completion of comments issued by Centre County Planning Office in a letter dated March 15, On a vote of 5-0-1, the motion carried. Lindsey Schoch abstained from voting. NB2 Sketch Plan for Graymont, PA Marc Messenger, operations manger for Graymont, gave a presentation. Graymont desires to construct a third kiln, a type called a vertical kiln, to expand their capabilities. Marc Messenger stated that Graymont not only produces lime but also produces approximately 50% of the power they use at the facility. Marc Messenger stated they have mineral reserves in excess of 40 years with the current mining operation. Karen Finlan addressed uses of lime. Flue gas desulphurization at power generating plants Water treatment Acid mine drainage Agricultural applications Marc Messenger stated they need this additional kiln to expand their capabilities. The vertical kiln is the newest technology. He stated is has the highest fuel efficiency, the lowest emissions, and is able to take larger stone sizes. Edie Gordon asked how many kilns are currently in operation. Marc Messenger stated there are currently two kilns in operation.

4 Thomas Harris asked what type of operation is taking place in Coleville. Marc Messenger stated there is a little bit of production, bagging of lime and storage taking place at that plant. He stated the kilns have been removed from that plant. Karen Finlan stated all proposed operations will be shorter in height than the current operation. The kiln will be approximately 175 feet. Michael Bonchack asked if there are any other emissions that are controlled other than dust. Marc Messenger stated yes sulfur emissions, etc. Michael Bonchack asked if there is any solid waste from this process. Marc Messenger stated there is virtually no waste with this process. All materials can be utilized. Edie Gordon asked if short cuts will be taken in this process because of costs. Marc messenger stated no this kiln will all be enclosed and the way the stone is handled and stored is necessary. Edie Gordon asked what this will do to traffic. Karen Finlan stated traffic to and from the facility will be increased by 11%. Edie Gordon asked how many and what kind of jobs this will produce. Marc stated they will need more people for underground mining, people to operate the kiln, etc. Karen Finlan addressed the Transportation Impact Study Safety Summary. Brian Mensinger addressed the project and permitting. They will need a Land Development Building Permit from Spring Township. They will need an Air Quality Permit from DEP. They will need permits from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission for water consumption and water withdrawal. Frank Miceli asked if this will create additional noise pollution. Mark Messenger stated the new kiln (created in Switzerland) will not create any more noise. There have been major advancements in the kilns that reduce noise pollution. Edie Gordon asked what their record of violations has been. Marc Messenger stated they have decreased as to what they were years ago. Frank Miceli asked about rail traffic. Marc Messenger there is currently rail cars a week. These are trips to Pittsburgh. He stated it is likely that rail traffic may increase. Frank Miceli asked about their time frame for construction. Marc Messenger stated they are hoping to start construction in November or December of Michael Bonchack asked about the life expectancy of these kilns. Marc Messenger stated the kiln itself it approximately years.

5 Edie Gordon asked if it is still all deep mining. Marc Messenger stated yes it is all deep mining. No motion needed. Discussion only. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: OB1 Modification to the Alternate Energy Ordinance Vaughn Zimmerman stated at the public hearing held on March 1, 2010, concerns raised by members of the public have led the Board of Supervisors to make two changes to the Alternate Energy Ordinance. These changes are made to Part B regarding solar arrays. These changes are as follows: B.1.f: Maximum height for arrays on commercial and industrial properties was raised to 20 feet (height for residential arrays remains 15 feet). B.1.g: Maximum impervious coverage for commercial and industrial properties set at 5%. This is due to increased power needs for commercial and industrial buildings over residential needs. It will be going back to public hearing. No motion necessary, for information purposed only. CORRESPONDENCE: ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to discuss, it was on a motion of Edie Gordon seconded by Michael Bonchack to adjourn the meeting. Being unanimously approved the meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M. Korena J. DeFurio Recording Clerk