TOWNSHIP OF DERRY

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

PUBLIC HEARING

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

600 Clearwater Road, Hershey, Pennsylvania17033

CALL TO ORDER

The April 28, 2015 Public Hearing of the Township of Derry Board of Supervisors was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by John W. Foley, Chairman.

ROLL CALL

Supervisors Present:

Sandy A. Ballard

Justin C. Engle, Secretary

John W. Foley, Chairman

Matthew A. Weir

Also Present:

Charles Emerick, Director of Community Development

Jill E. Henry, AssistantTownship Manager

James Negley, Township Manager/Treasurer

Jon Yost, Solicitor

Brenda Van Deursen, Recording Secretary

Public Present: Charles Huth, Anne Newman, Lou Mione, Kim Mione

NEW BUSINESS:

The purpose of this presentation is to receive public comment regarding proposed Ordinance No. 666, which would amend Chapter 225 (Zoning) of the Code of the Township of Derry regarding the permitted minimum front yard area depth in the Village Core zoning district and permitted encroachments in required yard areas.

Charles Emerick, Director of Community Development – This ordinance will:

  • Allow buildings to be positioned closer to the front of the lot within the Village Core district increasing street level vitality.
  • Encourage variations in the position of building and attachments to the building including awnings.
  • Promote presence along road frontages getting it a better relationship to the streets.
  • Allow the placement of patios within the required yard area in this district encouraging continuity of street front activity.
  • Maintain a 6-foot setback along front yards. However, the regulations will allow the adjustments to provide up to a 4-foot setback for up to 75% of the building. It will allow a 2-foot setback from the street right-of-way for up to 50% of the building and attachments to the building; and it will allow a zero (0) foot setback of the building to the street line for buildings once they reach a height greater than 12-foot of the street level. This will allow balconies and awnings to actually protrude over the patios and protrude over the streets up to the right of way line.
  • Require that no building be pushed further than 12 feet from the front setback unless owing to some uniqueness of the lot.

Discussion:

Supervisor Ballardasked where the sidewalk is in relationship to the right of way line. Mr. Emerick said the design standards ask that the sidewalk be 4 inches inside the right of way line towards the street. Supervisor Ballard said the sidewalk is basically the right of way line. Mr. Emerick concurred.

Supervisor Ballard asked about having some visual graphics to see how it should look. Chris Brown commented that they could do that to make it easier to visualize.

Supervisor Ballard asked about the awning change. Mr. Emerick said it allows encroachment into the required yards and awnings are permitted to be up to zero feet away.

Chairman Foley asked if awnings can be into the right of way. Mr. Emerick said it will have that appearance, but there is a difference between what is permitted in the legal street right of way and what is permitted on private property. Since the sidewalk is in the legal street right of way, PennDOT may not always embrace having an awning over the sidewalk. Chris Brown added that we want to give the developer the most flexibility to go up to the right of way with the awning. There is always going to be a 2-foot setback at the ground level. Once you get past the ground level, the ordinance allows you to go out to the zero line.

Marc A. Moyer, Vice-Chairman joined the meeting at 6:15.

Supervisor Engle asked about having a pattern book. Chris Brown said the pattern book will be part of the new ordinance. In areas where no development is happening, we would have the developer provide the Township with a pattern book to assure it is in compliance with the intent of the comprehensive plan.

Supervisor Weir asked if there are any implications to stormwater. Mr. Emericksaid there is no change to stormwater control.

PUBLIC COMMENT: No one came forward.

ADJOURNMENT

Supervisor Engle moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:20p.m. Supervisor Ballard seconded. The motion carried, 5-yes 0-no.

SUBMITTED BY:

______

Justin C. EngleBrenda Van Deursen

Township SecretaryRecording Secretary

1

Official Minutes/Board of SupervisorsDerryTownship – Public Hearing April 28, 2015