Supervisors consider conditional use for development of up to 50 townhouses in Loyalsock Township
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Loyalsock Township supervisors say they want to think before deciding on whether to approve or deny conditional use to a developer seeking to build up to 50 townhouses.
Supervisors will decide on the application of Poco Vista Estates on property at the corner of Kimble Hill Road and Poco Farm Road. They will take action on the plan at their next meeting at 7:30 p.m. May 14 at the township building.
Voting to deliberate before rendering a decision until the next township supervisors' meeting were Paul D. Nyman, chairman; Virginia M. Eaton, John Bower Jr., Richard Trowbridge and Michael D. Reed. The supervisors' board was represented by Solicitor Michael Wiley.
Townhouse use is a conditional use in the R-U zoning district, said Garth Womer, township zoning officer.
The conceptual plan was presented this week at a public hearing at the township fire hall.
The developer is Berks Homes, which has similar townhouses in Bellefonte, and will build a style known as "lilac."
The plan, as shown, had 44 units or 10 buildings in groups with four, five and six units.
Attorney Scott Williams represented the project developer at the hearing. Womer went over the purpose of the hearing and requirements to meet conditional use.
Williams directed most of his questions to Eli Getgen, an engineer and consultant for Sylvania Site Co.
Those who will live in the development will need to sign a homeowners association agreement.
The townhouses will be marketed in the $350,000 to $400,000 range.
The quality of the townhouses will be such that those living nearby, such as Poco Farm Estates, who are considering downsizing, would be happy living there, Getgen observed.
The utilities will be underground with no overhead poles, he said.
Township Fire Chief Richard Caschera Jr. asked for assurance there would be sufficient water pressure for suppression of fires and the hydrant serving the site be able to feed a tanker should there be a need. Caschera also sought assurance there would be a secondary means of access into and out of the development should streets be blocked during an emergency or structure fire.
In response to Caschera and other's questions regarding entry in and out, Williams noted the land use application is a conceptual design and not as detailed as the proposed land development plan. From the testimony and consulting work there may be adjustments to the plan should the conditional use be granted, he said.
These details will include the proposed streets for ingress and egress and traffic flow patterns as well as how many units are proposed for the development.
Williamsport Municipal Water Authority is working at the site to provide a possible loop so that in the event of a break there will not be disruption while the crews make repairs.
A resident along Kimble Hill Road questioned whether a sanitary line could be extended to serve his home and neighbors on that adjacent road.
If approved, the construction could begin later this year and take about two years to complete, Getgen said.