Planning Commission Minutes - March 3, 2021  PRESENT: ABSENT: STAFF:  Chairwoman Nancy Moore and Member(s): Joe Becker, Diane Bernardo, Ed  Andrulonis and David Volpe  None  Code Enforcement/Zoning: Officer, Zac Lawhead; City Engineer/Public Works Director, Chris Nasuti; City Solicitor, Toni Cherry; City Manager, John "Herm"  Suplizio; and Administrative Secretary, Bobbie Shaffer.  The meeting was called to order at 4:15 p.m. by Planning Commission Chairwoman, Nancy Moore. The motion was made by Becker and seconded by Volpe that the Planning Commission accept the  Approval of Minutes - February 3, 2021  minutes of February. 3, 2021 as presented by the Administrative Secretary.  VOTE AYES: ABSTAIN: NAYS:  Commission Members: Becker, Volpe and Chairwoman Moore Commission Members: Bernardo and Andrulonis (Due to Absence)  None  MOTION PASSED: 3-0 Visitor's Comments: None Old Business: None New Business:  Penn State University - DuBois - Subdivision & Land Development Presented by: Patrick MçLaine, PE - Reuther & Bowen  John Luchini, PSU - Director of Business & Finance  Penn State University wouid like to consolidate their six lots which are surrounded by: College Place, North Sixth ST, East DuBois Avenue/Route 255 and East Second Avenue. He stated that their propertyi is split betweentwo different districts, R-1 and CH - Commercial Highway. Second they would like to expand their Multi-Purpose Building by 3,800 sq. ft. and remodel the current building (31, 000 sq. ft.)that houses the gymnasium, a multipurpose area, etc. He proceeded to: show eachmember of Planning where the addition would show ont the plans. It would be located on the top left of the building towards the parking lot; the remainder oft the building would have very few modifications. Some of the updates would include a new elevator, update the existing gymnasium, update the ADA parking, update the building for handicapped accessibility, Third they are seeking a Modification of Saldo Requirements. They are requesting an 18 ft. front yard setback instead of the Special Yard Regulation of245. McClaine informed the Commission that  improve the landscaping and utility upgrades.  an adjacent building currently encroaches the setback requirement.    Chairwoman Moore asked about parking. McLaine stated that there are 200+ spaces across the street from the campus. Moore asked about the onsite parking. Mr. McLaine did not have that While Mr. McLaine was showing plans to Becker and Volpe, Solicitor Cherry asked how the unemployment office ended up at the campus and why it is no longer there. Mr. Luchini stated it was through grants with the state, they thought it would work well with the college training their clientele. Solicitor Cherry stated she just wondered as she didn/tremember it ever coming tol Planning. Mr. Luchini said the Unemployment Office used to use the college facilities alot. It was thought that they would work well together putting programs together to help the unemployed; but, it didn't work out that way. He feels they moved because of budgetary restraints. Mr. McLaine stated that they will be updating the utilities to improve efficiency and will be reducing City Engineer/Public' Works Director Nasuti felt there would be three motions. City Solicitor Cherry Member Bernardo asked when the project would begin; Luchini said he hoped in August. Member The motion was made by Volpe and seconded by Becker that the Planning Commisionrecommend to Council that they approve the request for the consolidation oft the six lots and the land development plan contingent on Council accepting the 6' front yard setback modification.  information but Mr. Luchini stated 55 spaces.  the amount of stormwater which will improve the situation.  felt it all could be covered in one.  Andrulonis asked what the life of the project was; Luchini stated a year.  VOTE AYES: ABSTAIN: NAYS:  Commission Members: Becker, Volpe, Bernardo, Andrulonis and Chairwoman Moore  None None  MOTION PASSED: 5-0 Presenter: Derrick Day  Day Property Holdings = 403 Patterson Avenue - Subdivision  Mr. Day stated that he and his wife purchased the 7 % acre property, and last month subdivided and sold 2.28 acres. He would like to subdivided % acre that is not accessed by any street; he will be selling it to the Peterson's: as itis only accessible by their property. City Solicitor Cherry asked if the Peterson's are ready to consolidate the parcel with their existing property. Code EnforcementyZoning Officer Lawhead confirmed the Peterson's are ready.  The motion was made by Andrulonis and seconded by' Volpe that the Planning Commission recommend to Council that they approve the request from Mr. Day to subdivide % acre from 403 Patterson Avenue and it be consolidated with 723 Munro Street (Peterson's).  VOTE AYES: ABSTAIN: NAYS: MOTION PASSED:  Commission Members: Becker, Volpe, Bernardo, Andrulonis and Chairwoman Moore  None None  5-0    Jeffrey W. Rice, DMD, PC- 90 Beaver Drive - Subdivision Rice would like to subdivide and sell the property.  Code Enforcement/Zonings Officer Lawhead presented the plan to Planning.  The proposed project is a subdivision of the property located at 90 Beaver Drive - Building E. Dr. City Solicitor Cherry reminded Planning that Dr. Rice wanted to do this approximately a year ago and was told him we would: need a cross easement and parking agreement in order to approve. Lawhead stated that they thought they had the cross easement worked out but then the hospital wanted to change language in the document. Ittook months to get the documents. The problem with this plan is there is only one water tap located in Building D and then lines run to all the other buildings. If Dr. Rice sells Building Eit will have to have its own dedicated water line; City Solicitor Cherry is concerned that Council won'tk know when or if they put int their own water line. City Engineer Nasuti stated that wel have had problems with other properties and we now have a system inj place that we will know whether or not they put in the line. We will not approve the plan until after the line has been installed and we have anAccessibility Easement and Shared Parking There was some discussion about when they sold the other building to Penn Highlands; Nasuti stated The motion was made by Becker and seconded by Volpe that the Planning Commission recommend to Council that approval be contingent on the installation ofa dedicated water service to Building E, and an executed Accessibility Easement and a Shared Parking Agreement which are to be executed  separate owner, separate services.  Agreement.  they are no selling to Penn Highlands.  immediately and presented to City Engineer Nasuti.  VOTE AYES: ABSTAIN: NAYS: MOTION PASSED:  Commission Members: Becker, Volpe, Bernardo, Andrulonis and Chairwoman Moore  None None  5-0  Prior to adjournment Chairwoman Moore stated that City Engineer Nasuti wanted to go over the Zoning Map with the Planning Commission. Engineer Nasuti stated that he needed to review some City Solicitor Cherry stated that her concern ini reshaping the Zoning Map is unintended consequences. She then went ont to talk about how the hospital is absorbing properties;whichare  things prior to presentation. He felt he should be ready next month.  taking taxable real estate and making it nontaxable.  She reminded Nasuti and the audience that Industrial Districts can have al lesser use. She went on to say that we don't want Use by Right as we don'thave designrequirements in our Ordinance. Shet talked about incubators and howi it's the perfect place for a new business starting  out to begin; the diversity of businesses int the same building.    Another large concern is how much median income housing we are losing. Her hope is someday people want to own single family homes again. There is no market for 300,000-400,000 homes; Chairwoman Moore. said that the Planning Commission will work with individuals on Modifications of  we need homes that sell for 75,000 to 150,000.  substandard lots. She requests that they leave the Industrial zone the wayi itis. Chairwoman Moore. stated that whatever people want Planning can make it happen.  Member Bernardo complimented the staff ona wonderful job.  Adjournment VOTE AYES: ABSTAIN: NAYS:  The motion was made by' Volpe and seconded by Becker that the Planning Commission adjourn.  Commission Members: Becker, Volpe, Bernardo, Andrulonis and Chairwoman Moore  None None  MOTION PASSED: 5-0