New Business:

1.) Hanover Township Municipal Building Review (Review & Discussion).

Councilwoman Hayden commented that with respect to the proposed site plan – Scheme 3 with which she has been provided, it appeared that this is the original concept for construction. Chairman Paulus indicated that was the case except that the building has been moved back 3 feet 10 inches. Chairman Paulus noted that the Township Engineer indicated that he did not recommend twisting the building due to the fact that same would involve removal of the Township Building’s electrical system and relocation at a great expense and also the removal of the current garage. Chairman Paulus advised that the print in front of the Board would require a 7 foot variance on the east side of the construction. He noted the garage is 35 feet from the curb. The building at its closest point will be 20 feet from the curb and on the west side it will be 50 feet.

At this point in the meeting, there was a lengthy discussion regarding the impact of the new construction on the Chestnut Grove Park and Chestnut Grove Towne Garden Development. Chairman Paulus noted that there would be no impact on the tennis court and hockey court. New construction would take down the current gazebo but would have no further impact on the park system. Councilman Atkinson commented that quite a lot of the park system would remain. It was noted that new construction would only eliminate the grassy area owned by the Township adjacent to the park system. Councilman Dreisbach questioned whether or not the garages would be removed and Chairman Paulus indicated that only the unattached garage would come down. There was some discussion regarding the grading of the land and it was noted that a retaining wall would need to be put in place. Councilwoman Hayden commented that the Board is aware that she is not happy with the design.

There was a discussion with respect to the fact that the Township Attorney is negotiating with the Airport for overflow parking on the other side of Grove Road which could become permanent should the Township desire. The Township Manager noted that the Township Attorney feels that if the overflow parking on the land owned by the Airport were to become permanent it should be part of the Zoning Hearing Board Appeal to change the zoning of that parcel. Council was of the opinion that no zoning change should be necessitated since it would only be used for parking. Councilman Atkinson expressed his feeling that the Airport property would only be utilized for overflow parking if the Township needed it. It appeared to be the consensus of the Board that the Township did not need to permanently acquire the parking area from the Airport Authority..

Councilman Kovacs inquired as to the status of the Airport’s plan with respect to the expansion in the Race Street area. Councilwoman Hayden indicated that she was of the opinion that that is at a standstill. Councilman Paulus noted that the Township could also approach the Four Points Sheraton for parking during construction. Councilman Kovacs commented that he thought the Township would be successful in such an endeavor, but he felt that the present owners might be somewhat difficult to deal with. Councilwoman Hayden questioned whether or not the current building will stand during construction and Chairman Paulus indicated that it would. Chairman Paulus inquired as to the Board’s disposition with respect to this proposed site plan/Scheme 3 which the Board has before it at this time. It was the consensus of the Board to move forward and in that regard the Board made the following motion:

Motion: --- I move we accept the proposed site plan/Scheme 3 for the proposed new municipal campus for Hanover Township, Lehigh County dated March 29, 2010 subject to zoning approval.

Dreisbach, Kovacs: Moved and Seconded
Atkinson, Dreisbach, Hayden, Kovacs, Paulus: ------- Aye ------- Unan.

With respect to the estimate received by the Board for geothermal testing, the Board made the following motion:

Motion: --- I move we authorize the Township Manager to execute the proposal received from Morrison Geothermal, Inc. for geothermal conductivity testing.

Kovacs, Atkinson: Moved and Seconded
Atkinson, Dreisbach, Hayden, Kovacs, Paulus: ------- Aye ------- Unan.

2.) Bill No. 2010-05, An Ordinance Amending the Zoning Ordinance of Hanover Township, Changing the Classification of the Intersection of Certain Land East of Airport Road and Grove Road from Limited Use to Planned Commercial (Introduce).

The Township Manager/Zoning Officer noted that Bill No. 2010-05 provides for a Zoning Map change so that all the Township’s property is zoned Planned Commercial. Currently, as Council is aware, a portion of the Township’s property is zoned Limited Use. The Township Manager noted that as it is a Zoning Map change, the matter will need to go before the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission and the Township’s Planning Commission and the property will need to be posted. After reviews have been accomplished, a Public Hearing will be held regarding Bill No. 2010-05.

At this point in the meeting, Councilman Atkinson questioned whether or not anyone knew what the outcome was with respect to the drilling that has already been done on the Township’s property. Chairman Paulus and the Township Manager indicated they did not know what the results were with respect to said drilling.

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager