UPPER OXFORD TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

APRIL 4, 2005

               The Upper Oxford Township Planning Commission held its regular monthly meeting at the township building, 1185 Limestone Road, Russellville, PA at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, April 4, 2005.

               Members present:  Christine Nibouar, Sam Reyburn, Henry Huber, Harold Bryson and Thomas S. Williams

               Others present:  Jane Daggett, Betsy Huber, Bill Sellers, Bill Schoell, Charles Fleischmann, Cecil Miller, Fran Sharon, Dave Hartert, Scott Rugen, Neil Linkmeyer, Ken Massey, Karen Massey, Rich Goodheart, Scott Sarles, Linda DeEmilio and Stephen Donnelley

H. WILLIAM SELLERS  - gave a discussion regarding sewage treatment methods.  Mr. Sellers has been a Supervisor for Popcopson Township for over 20 years and also a member of the Brandywine Conservancy for years.  He has been involved with spray irrigation systems and storm water management throughout the years.  While living in Ohio, he was Chief of Planning.  Mr. Sellers informed the audience that the Municipality is vested with the responsibility to approve any plan for the provision of sewage.  Mr. Sellers stressed that poor installation, poor maintenance and inexperienced operators are the cause for most systems failing.  Additionally, most conventional (Mechanical) treatment systems fail due to insufficient aeration, too little treatment time and too little land committed to the system.  Mr. Sellers discussed that their township required a Performance Bond and also hired their own sewage consultants to design their facility and supervise construction of the system.  The Board and the audience had questions regarding the system in Popcopson Township and other systems that Mr. Sellers was familiar with.

NEIL LINKMEYER – of 246 Cullen Road presented the Planning Commission with a sketch plan of his property.  Mr. Linkmeyer presently owns 3.75 acres and has an agreement of sale with his neighbor to purchase an additional .25 acre of land.  His plans propose subdividing 2 acres that has the current house on it which would leave an additional two acre parcel.  The Planning Commission discussed with Mr. Linkmeyer that a Conditional Use Hearing would be necessary because the lot is a flag lot; (Section 1322 of the Zoning Ordinance) the access strip could not be counted as part of the lot acreage; (Page 11 of the Zoning Book, definitions) the access strip must be 50’ wide (Section 1322-3 of the Zoning Ordinance).  The Planning Commission also informed Mr. Linkmeyer that if wetlands were involved or a stream crossing, DEP and other Conservation agencies would need to give approval.

COMMONWEALTH LAND AND INVESTMENT – premises situated along Route 10 and Penns Grove Road.  No one was in attendance representing Commonwealth Land and Investment.  However, a revised sketch plan was sent to the Township for review.  The new plan calls for eleven lots to be in Upper Oxford Township.  The lots would be two acre parcels with on-site septic systems.  The Planning Commissions comments on the revised sketch plan are as follows:

• Configuration of lots probably will not meet zoning (length cannot be more than 2-1/2 times width.

• Stated previously that they do not want the road to access onto Route 10 and that it should access on Penns Grove Road.

• Have comments in areas of concern to make to Penn Dot when review becomes available.

ADJOURNMENT – There being no further business, Motion was made by Tom Williams, seconded by Harold Bryson and carried unanimously to adjourn at 9:30 P.M.

                                                                                                         Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                                         Jane Daggett

                                                                                                         Secretary