Transportation impact fees debated, alley abandoned
By PAT FRIDGEN Echo Pilot

No one in the audience opposed the abandonment of Edwin Street, an alley in State Line, during an Antrim Township hearing Nov. 13. Though citizens had spoken against the plan at a previous meeting, they were not present last Tuesday night.

Mike Wentz, pastor of Living Hope Community Church, explained that the alley, which is one step out from the church's front door, is a safety issue. It also prevents the church from installing a handicap accessible entrance.

Board of Supervisors Chairman James Byers reiterated his past position, that taking the alley out of the township's maintenance schedule was a savings to the taxpayer. Zoning Officer Angela Garland estimated six cars a day used the alley as a bypass between Mountain View Drive and US 11.

Township manager Ben Thomas Jr. reported that the road department considered the paving in poor condition and stormwater runoff entered the church and neighboring properties.

Byers, Curtis Myers, Sam Miller and Fred Young III voted to abandon the alley. Scott Diffenderfer was not present.

Solicitor John Lisko said the public had 30 days to appeal the decision in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. After that the land belonged to the church to do with as it pleased.

Impact fees

The board considered the possibility of a transportation impact fee as a method for funding road improvements. Steve Gault from Transporation Planning and Design, Harrisburg, presented the process for creating such an ordinance. The first step would be establishing an advisory committee comprised of developers, township staff and citizens.

The committee would determine areas where the impact fee was necessary. Gault said the money would be used for offsite improvements, roads affected by increased traffic brought on by commercial or residential development. The developers would still be responsible for the infrastructure within their own projects.

He said the sections would cover seven square miles and any subdivision within that area would be required to pay the fee, even a family splitting off one lot. The maximum interim fee before an ordinance was enacted would be $1000 per lot.

Thomas said the most likely parts of the township affected would be Grindstone Hill Road Phase 2 and residential areas. He noted an impact fee could hamper commercial growth and some townships have rescinded their ordinances.

Byers thought it could also discourage small business.

Surveyor Lee Royer from Waynesboro said some businesses have refused to come to Washington Township because of its impact fee, which is $2720 per lot.

Heritage Hills fees

Once again, attorney Paul Schemel asked the township what it expected his client to pay for the Route 16/Rosebud intersection. The 84-unit Heritage Hills residential development would contribute 14 percent of the traffic when it and other projected developments in the area were completed.

Gault, who had studied the plan on behalf of the township, thought that estimate was high. He believed Heritage Hills would contribute 10 percent.

And once again, township solicitor John Lisko wondered whether the improvements were onsite or offsite. Since HH was part of a once larger tract that abutted Route 16, he said it was onsite, in which case the township could require money. He suggested 14 percent of the traffic light expense.

Schemel replied, "I clearly see it offsite. It is 300 feet from the street. I don't want to be in a threatening posture. If we take it to court, I think we win."

Lisko responded, "I'm not sure you can force us to apply for the Highway Occupancy Permit."

The development would need the permit but the township has to apply for it.

He added that if the township enacts a transportation impact fee, it would have the right to require HH to pay.

Schemel did not receive a positive response when he asked the board if it would then require the other developers to reimburse HH for dollars spent to put in a right turn lane, widen Rosebud and make it a collector road, since the adjoining developments would also benefit.

The board voted 4-0 to require HH to put 10 percent of the traffic light expense into escrow.

Other business

Deeds of dedication for Webling Circle, Prestons Lane and Shanks Church Road in Melrose Meadows Phase 2 were accepted.

The Preserve at Greencastle was granted a 30-day extension. The plan affects 142 lots on the golf course at Colonial Drive.

Utilities director Charles Goetz received permission to pursue an internship program through Shippensburg University.

"The students will do the legwork our staff doesn't have time to do," he said. If the township rents GPS equipment, the interns would collect data on the sewer system and storm drains.

Citizens interested in serving on the Municipal Authority, Planning Commission, Zoning Hearing Board, Park Committee or Citizens Advisory Committee should submit letters of interest to the township office.