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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-3791SHIPPENSBURG TOWNHOUSES, LLC and WESTMINSTER DEVELOPMENT, LLC VS. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF SHIPPENSBURG TOWNSHIP, ) IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF ) CUMBERLAND COUNTY ) ) Appellants ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Appellee ) No. ~)o~']q/ ~ .NOTICE OF LAND USE APPEAl, AND NOW, come the Appellants, Shippensburg Town_houses, LLC and Westminster Development, LLC, by and through their attorneys, Knox McLaughlin Gomall & Sennett, P.C., and file this Notice of Land Use Appeal stating in support thereof as follows: 1. Appellant, Shippensburg Townhouses, LLC, is a Pennsylvania Limited Liability Company that owns real property in Shippensburg Township identified as 6 Bard Drive, Shippensburg, PA 17257 (90 Unit Apartment House); Index No. 36-32-2269-023A. 2. Appellant, Westminster Development, LLC, is a Pennsylvania Limited Liability Company that owns real property in Shippensburg Township identified as 605-607 East King Street, Shippensburg, PA 17257; Index No: 36~33-1869,28 (Appellants herein shall be collectively referred to as "Westminster"). 3. The Appellee, Shippensburg Township, is a township of the second class with an address of P.O. Box 219, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, 17257 (hereinafter referred to as the "Township"). 4. The real property in question is an approximately 4.7 acre lot located partially in Shippensburg Township and partially in Shippensburg Borough (approximately 3.4 acres are located in the Township and approximately 1.2 acres are located in the Borough) and is identified as tax parcel number 33-1869/Parcel 40 and located at or near the intersection of Kenneth and Brookside Avenues (the real property at issue shall hereinafter be referred to as the "Property"). It is believed and therefore averred that the property is owned by Lawrence and Alice Royer with an address at 100 East Orange Street. 5. On October 16, 2001, CSR Enterprises (hereinafter referred to as the "Developer") filed an Application for Subdivision and Land Development Plan Review proposing to develop the Property with apartment houses. 6. On April 15, 2002, the Shippensburg Township Planning Commission reviewed the "CSR Revised Land Development Plan". The Planning Commission conditionally approved the CSR Revised Land Development Plan subject to the following: (a) overcoming "recreation need" as stated in the Shippensburg Township Zoning Ordinance Section 914(11); (b) satisfaction of the concerns raised in an April 10, 2002 letter from the Shippensburg Township engineering firm, Martin and Martin, Inc. (Martin and Martin, Inc. letter is attached to this Notice of Land Use Appeal as "Exhibit A''); and (c) satisfaction of the Cumberland County Planning Commission comments. 7. On May 4, 2002, the Shippensburg Township Supervisors reviewed a "Revised Land Development Plan for CSR". The Township Supervisors conditionally approved the plan as a "Final Plan" contingent upon the following: (a) satisfaction of the comments contained in April 10, 2002 fi.om the Shippensburg Township engineering finn, Martin and Martin, Inc.; and (b) approval by the Shippensburg Borough Board of Supervisors. 8. On May 30, 2002, Westminster filed a Notice of Land Use Appeal at docket number 2002 - 02667, alleging various errors of law and fact in regard to the Township Supervisor's approval of the CSR Revised Land Development Plan. 9. Subsequent to the filing of the above referenced appeal, the Developer made several minor modification to its Revised Land Development Plan and sought approval of the revisions fi.om the Township Supervisors (the Revised Land Development Plan with the revisions referenced herein shall be referred to as "Second Revised Land Development Plan"). 10. At its regular meeting held on July 6, 2002, the Township Supervisors approved the Second Revised Land Development Plan. 11. Westminster seeks a review of the Township Supervisor's approval of the Second Re~,ised Land Development Plan. 12. The action of the Township Supervisors in approving the Second Revised Land Development Plan described above was arbitrary, capricious, contrary to law and constituted an abuse of discretion in the following particulars: (a) the Developer failed to comply with Article III of the Township's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance in that it failed to submit and obtain approval of a Sketch Plan and/or Preliminary Plan prior to submitting and obtaining approval of a Final Plan; (b) the Developer failed to comply with Section 303 of the Township's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance in that it failed to submit the information necessary to support a development with fifty or more dwelling units proposed; (c) the Township Supervisor's approval was specifically contingent upon the Martin and Martin, Inc. letter dated April 10, 2002. The Martin and Martin, Inc. letter contains eleven separate paragraphs detailing the various deficiencies in the CSR Revised Land Development Plan. The Township Supervisors therefore implicitly acknowledged that the CSR Revised Land Development Plan did not comply with the Township's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. The Township Supervisors committed an area of law in approving the CSR Revised Land Development Plan as the Plan does not comply with the Township's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. Westminster specifically incorporates the averments contained in the Martin and Martin, Inc. April 10, 2002 letter herein as specific factual allegations in support of this Land Use Appeal; (d) the Developer failed to comply with Section 909 of the Shippensburg Township Zoning Ordinance concerning off-street parking spaces. The Plan indicates that 183 parking spaces are required for the proposed development. The Zoning Ordinance 4 requires that each parking space must provide a minimum area of not less than 200 square feet. The Developer's Second Revised Land Development Plan reflects only 77 parking spaces that meet this regulatory definition. To the extent that the Developer proposes to satisfy the Shippensburg Township Zoning Ordinance's parking requirements with parking spaces located in the Borough of Shippensburg, such spaces must meet the regulatory definition as set forth in the Shippensburg Township Zoning Ordinance (i.e. a minimum area of 200 square fee0. As proposed, the Developer's Second Revised Land Development Plan fails to satisfy the parking requirements set forth in the Shippensburg Township Zoning Ordinance. Moreover, although the Developer's Second Revised Land Development Plan identifies there being 183 parking spaces provided, the actual number of spaces reflected on the Final Plan is 180 (not to mention the fact that such spaces do not meet the regulatory definitions set forth in the Shippensburg Township Zoning Ordinance); (e) the Developer failed to comply with Section 914(11) of the Shippensburg Township Zoning Ordinance concerning "recreational areas". The Developer's Second Revised Land Development Plan fails to identify or designate an area sufficient to satisfy the requirement that 20% of the total area be "reserved and developed for outdoor recreational purposes designed to serve the residents of the development." Even assuming for the sake of argument that the three areas depicted on the Developer's Second Revised Land Development Plan as "open space/recreation area" (i.e. area Southeast of Building No. 1 - approximately 100 feet x 25 feet; area between Building Nos. 3 and 4 - 120 feet x 40 feet; and, area Southeast of Building No. 5 next to parking lot shown as a volleyball court - 50 feet x 65 feet) are the areas intended to be "reserved and developed for outdoor recreational purposes designed to serve the residents of the development", such areas mount to only 5.87% of the total tract area (i.e. 0.25 acres out of 4.67 total acres); (f) the Developer failed to comply with Section 402(3) of Shippensburg Township Zoning Ordinance concerning "Occupied Areas". Although the Developer's Second Revised Land Development Plan identifies the total building area as comprising 32, 400 square feet, the actual dimensions reflected on the Second Revised Land Development Plan reveal a total of 33, 040 feet (i.e. five apadment buildings measuring 118 feet x 56 feet plus one office building approximately 48 feet x 36 feet). 10% of the total area has been offered to Shippensburg Township by the Developer thereby reducing the total acreage available for development to 4.2 acres. The total impervious surface area is in excess of 60% of the total tract area and therefore violative of Section 402(3) of the Shippensburg Township Zoning Ordinance. Attached to this Notice of Land Use Appeal as "Exhibit B" and incorporated herein by reference are two illustrations detailing the deficiencies described in subparagraphs (e) and (0 herein. 13. Westminster hereby specifically preserves the right to supplement this Notice of Land Use Appeal upon having the opportunity to review the entire certified record in this matter when such record made available to this Court by Appellee. WHEREFORE, the Appellants, Shippensburg Townhouses, LLC and Westminster Development, LLC hereby request this Honorable Court to enter an Order reversing the Board of Supervisors of Shippensburg Township's approval of Second Revised Land Development Plan and directing that the Second Revised Land Development Plan at issue be denied. Date: August 2, 2002 # 446082 Respectfully submitted, KNOX McLAUGHLIN GORNALL & SENNETT, P.C. Brian (~owacki, Esquire 120 West 10t~ Street Erie, PA 16501 (814) 459-2800 Attomeys for Appellants, Shippensburg Townhouses, LLC and Westminster Development, LLC 7 SHIPPENSBURG TOWN-HOUSES, LLC and ) WESTMINSTER DEVELOPMENT, LLC ) ) Appellants ) ) VS. ) ) BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ) SHIPPENSBURG TOWNSHIP, ) ) Appellee ) ) IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY No. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that I am this 2~ day of August, 2002 serving a tree and correct copy of the foregoing Notice of Land Use Appeal by U.S. mail on the following: Shippensburg Township Board of Supervisors c/o Ronald Turo, Esquire, Counsel to Board of Supervisors 28 S. Pitt Street Carlisle, PA 17013 Lisa Marie Coyne, Esquire Counsel to CSR Enterprises 3901 Market Street Camp Hill, PA 17011-4227 Linda Asper, Township Secretary Shippensburg Township P.O. Box 219 Shippensburg, PA 17257 Date: August 2, 2002 Respectfully submitted, KNOX McLAUGHLIN GORNALL & SENNETr, p . /] _Timot~ ~'M. Ziez~ul~, Esquire Brian II Iowacki 120 West l0b Street Erie, PA 16501 (814) 459-2800 # 446082 Attorneys for Appellants, Shippensburg Townhouses, LLC and Westminster Development, LLC ma_._ rtin and martin, incorporaterl 37 south main street · suite A · chambersburg, pennsylvania · 17201.2.251 (717) 264-6759 (717) 264-7339 (fax) April 10, 2002 Shippensburg Township Supervisors P. O. Box 219 Shjppensburg, PA 17257 Gentlemen: Re: Final I.and Devel~pment Plan CSR Enterprises Our file: 492.9? (.T36-49297) Our omce has reviewed the above referenced plan in accord:race with the Township Ordinancea and in light of'our earlier commenL~ dated November 13. 200 I. We would note tile following remaining comment.~ for your consideration. Pennsylvania DF.P planning module approval is required. (308.J) County Conservation District approval is required. (308.1. I ) The Developer is r~uired to guarantee tile completion of all public improvements prior to release of an approved Final Plan. (307.13) A c~.~t c.~Hmalc ha.< h~:n provided £~r review. We believe two addil.looal items sh~dd he included within this estimate; the proposed sidewalk within the Brookside Avenue righl.-~r-way and thc proposed "No Exit" sign along Kenneth Avenue. Upon submission of'a revised cost estimate, our olTicc will issue a determinati~n (~l'edequate securh.y. The ultimate resolution or;hc Parker property's encroaching mobile home should bc determined. $. The owner's certification must be signed and nmarivcd. (308.E) 6. Tile .~ur~cy~r'.~ certification of accuracy and the ~t~rm drsinage plan certifi~;ation .~h~uld be signed and dated. A portion of the property lies within the [iorough of Shlppen.~hurg and the plan is, thcret'ore, sub. jeer to approval by the [~orough Council. With regard to stormwater managemenL a ~ahle outlining the overall pre- and post- development discharlaqa rates should be included within the narrative. (5116) Shippensburg Township Supervisors April 10, 2002 Page 2 9. The proposed recreation areas illustrated cm the Preliminary Plan have been eliminated t'mm the Final Plan. The applicant must dem~nstrate how the plan will meet the recreation tequimmenls of Section 914. I I of the 7.oning Ordinance. 10. Thc Jntbrmatinn required in .%clionK 91.~.2 and 913.3 ~r ~he 7~mJng ¢~rdinance should be addre.~d. This infi~rmal.ion includes archit¢¢l~sral views and flower plan.~ c~l' thc pr~posed structures and details on ownership and maintenance ~1' Lbe premises. I I. Screening hits been provided aK required in the C~udiLi¢~nad I.Jse approval, how~:vcr the dc~uble mw of tree.~ iK narrowed to a single mw along a portion or th~.- F:lhai.j proper~y, it'at all possible, this should be inerea.~cd Io a double row of trees as well. ' Should y()ts have any questions concerning this correspondence, plea.~e don'! hesitate to contact this office at your convenience. Very truly your~, M.atRTIN AND MARTIN, INCOICPORATED TCC cc; Planniag Commission Carl Rett& Associates 'l'imothy C. Cormany, AICP Illustration I. csR - 'oral lan.__._~d Land offerS, to.$hi ensbu TO~shi ~ As shown .on CSR Plan .. To~al land for deve/o ment Area between Buildin 3 & 4 Area SE of Buildi 5 next to arlfin lot -- shown as sand vo/la Il court T~ted as recreational area '-'-----'---- sma re uired b l~e Townshi Ordinance 100' x 25' 125' x 40' 50'x65' 203 38; 20 261 260C 500~ 10751 36 624 4.87 0.4651 4.20 O25 5.87% lllush-ation 2. area 8' X 56' = area 402.3 0.465' 10% 4.20 19% 7% 1.51 36% 2.62 62,3% 60.0% CSR Plan Plan CSR Plan Illustration 1. CSR PI n ot~l land Land offered to Shi en,bu Tovalshj ~ As shown on CSR Plan Total land for development ~ De. si nat Recre on lamas Area SE of buildi 1 Area between Building 3 & 4 Area SE of Buildi 5 next to rkin lot showll as sand veils ball court 125' x 40' ~as recreational area '--------'----'---- '~,"vlf4VIl~,l ~II'U~I r~ UIFEC] I10~ St)OWl1 011 C~R Plan 203 382 20 261 183.121 5OO( 1075( 36 624 4.67 0.4651 0.25 5.87% Illustration 2. land for 4.67 0.4661 4,20 10% s shown on CSR Plan area 118' x 56' = 33,040 x 36' = 1725 0.80 19% dimensions am 8re8 urface surface maximum 'dinance Section 402.3 114,021 1.51 2.62 2.52 7% =n CSR Plan 36% on CSR Plan 62.3% 60.0% 2.3% was included to meet minimum s~ze: this would further increase He excess of im_..pervious SHIPPENSBURG TOWNHOUSES, LLC and WESTMINSTER DEVELOPMENT, LLC VS. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF SHIPPENSBURG TOWNSHIP P O BOX 219 SHIPPENSBURG PA 17257 : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF : : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA : : NO. 02-3792 CIVIL TERM : : NO. CIVIL 19 WRIT OF CERTIORARI COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA) : COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND) SS. TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF SHIPPENSBURG TOWNSHIP: We, being willing for certain reasons, to have certified a certain action between SHIPPENSBURG TOWNHOUSES, LLC and WESTMINSTER DEVELOPMENT, LLC v. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF SHIPPENBSBURG TOWNSHIP pending before you, do c~.u~and you that the record of the action aforesaid with all things concerning said action, shall be certified and sent to our judges of our Court of C~m~n Pleas at Carlisle, within (20) days of the date hereof, together with this writ; so that we m~y further cause to be done that which ought robe done according to the laws and Constitution of this Co,~onwealth. Postmark Here Postage Certified Fee R~urn Receipt Fee tEndorssment Required} Restricted Delivery Fee F domement Required) Total Postage & Fees ~ORGE E. HOFFER, P.J. the 5th day of AUGUST ,2~2 <~~rothonotary SHIPPENSBURG TOWNHOUSES, LLC and WESTMINSTER DEVELOPMENT, LLC, Appellants BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF SHIPPENSBURG TOWNSHIP, Appellee and CAROL VESCHI, SEAN TIGHE, ROBERT VESCHI, t/d/b/a CSR Enterprises,: Intervenor IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PA NO. 02- 3791 Civil Term : Land Use Appeal NOTICE OF INTERVENTION Please take notice that Carol Veschi, Scan Tighe, and Robert Veschi, t/d/b/a CSR Enterprises, the owner of the premises located generally between Kenneth and Brookside Avenues, Shippensburg Township and Shippensburg Borough, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, the property directly involved in the decision of the Board of Supervisors of Shippensburg Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, from which this appeal has been lodged, intervenes in the Appeal in support of the decision of the Board of Supervisors. Dated: Respectfully submitted: COYNE & COYNE, PC. /t ]Lisa Marie C~yne, Esquire [~,/3901 Market Bt. - Camp Hill, PA 17011-4227 (717) 737-0464 Pa. Supreme Ct. No. 53788 Attorneys for Intervenor CSR Enterprises CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I, Lisa Marie Coyne, Esquire, of Coyne & Coyne, P.C., hereby certify that true copy of the foregoing NOTICE OF INTERVENTION was served this date upon the below-referenced individuals at the below listed address by way of first class mail, postage pre-paid: Ron Turo, Esquire Solicitor, Shippensburg Township 28 South Pitt St. Carlisle, PA 17013 Timothy M. Zieziula, Esquire Knox, McLaughlin, Gomall & Sennett, P.C. 120 West l0th Street Erie, PA 16501 Dated: sa arll Co~,e,~s ire ~et Street s~ir- Camp Hill, PA 170114227 (717) 737-0464 SHIPPENSBURG ToWNHOUSES, LLC ' IN THE CouRT OF cOMMON PLEAS : CUMBERLAND coUNTY, and pENNSYLVANiA WESTMINSTER DEVELOPMENT, LLC Appellants BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF SH~PpENSBURG TOWNSHIP, Appellee NO 02-3791 CIVIL TERM NOTICE OF FILING OF CERTIFIED RECORD To the Judges of the Said Court: Attached to this Notice is the Certified Record as required in the above-captioned matter provided by the Board of Supervisors of Shippensburg Township. Date Turo Law Offices 28 South Pitt Street Carlisle, PA 17013 (,717) 245-9688 CC: Lisa M. Coyne, Esquire Timothy M. Zieziula, Esquire The July 6, 2002 regularly scheduled meeting of the Shippensburg Township Supervisors was called to order at 8:00AM by Chairman, Galen Asper. All Supervisors were present. Oldt/Bard motion to approve June minutes as presented. Unanimous vote. Motion carried. The Conditional Use Hearing for Shippensburg University Foundation was called to order at this time. Jim Robinson, Turo Law, explains the procedure regarding this hearing. The Shippensburg University Foundation would like to put a parking lot expansion for commuters with entrance off Britton Road. Chip Abrams, representative for Foundation, explains this will be a 288 car commuter lot. Traffic Study was done as requested by Shippensburg Township Planning Commission. John Bard questions when this study was done. Carl Bert says last week classes were is session and this was done by an individual doing counting. John says he travels that road several times a day and never seen anyone. He also talked to several residents along Britton Road and they never seen anyone. Carl says the counter was sitting at the gas station and car wash. Carl says a counter was also at the University where to current commuter lot is. John says were the entrance to lot offBritton Road is proposed there is cat-o-nine tails. Carl disagrees with this. Carl says the Foundation is still waiting on Conservation approval. The Bog turtle is still an issue. US Fish and Wildlife looked at this site when the stream was rerouted and says at that time there was not any bog turtles. Carl feeels confident that no turtles will be located. Steve Oldt questions if there will be lighting on access road to lot. Carl says yes, as soon as you mm on to access road and there will also be security cameras. Galen Asper questions if this lot is approved can the Township stipulate this is the only lot permittted. Jim Robinson says the Township can limit this lot to 288 cars, but future land development plans may be submitted for other lots. Mike Cassidy, a developer in the township, is concerned about there is only one ingress and egress into this lot. He feels this is poor planning as far as emergency vehicles. Carl explains there is flat terrane connecting the University that emergency vehicles can cross over. Galen Asper says his understanding is the Core of Engineers and Cumberland County Conservation Agency is to meet at the site to see what for effect this will have on the new stream routing that has recently taken place. Jura Robinson instructs Supervisors on their options regarding this Conditional Use Hearing. Nancy Hodge questions exactly where entrance is to the lot. This is explaned to her. No other public comment. Heating is closed. Bard/Asper motion to continue Conditional Use Hearing till the August meeting pending Cumberland County Consevation comments and other concerns. Unanimous vote. Motion carded. The Conditional Use Heating for the Shippensburg Market Place proposed for 397 Baltimore Road is now called to order. Jim Robinson again explains the procedure of this hearing. Public comment - none Roland Guyot of ACL Realty Corp. And Chris Hoover of Hoover Engineering were present representing this project. Page 2 July 6, 2002 Supervisor Meeting Steve Oldt questions sidewalks. Chris says they are all around the property. There is a proposed Giant and a fueling center will other small parcel shops. Application has been submitted for an highway occupancy permit. Steve question width of road and who does improvements. Chris says developer is responsible for improvements and the right of way is 50 feet fxom center of road. Baltimore road will have a turning land into shopping Center. Construction hopefully will state the beginning of September if all goes will. Steve questions lighting. The lighting is explained. Hearing is closed. Oldt/Bard motion to approve Conditional Use Application. Unanimous vote with Galen Asper abstaining. Motion carried. The land development plan for the Shippensburg Market Place is now on the table for action. Steve would like to postpone action till highway occupancy Permit is obtained and easement issue is resolved. A wavier of preliminary plan request was submitted and Chris Hoover would like this request withdrawn. Mike Cassidy, the developer of this land of the proposed Shippensburg Market Place, request that action be taken contingent upon Highway Occupancy Permit and easements being recorded. Steve questions comment # 6C of Martin and Martin comment dated 6-17-02 (copy in minutes file).Chris explains this. Discussion took place as to type of action Supervisors wish to take. Chris changes his mind and would like the Preliminary Plan Wavier request acted on. Oldt/Bard motion to grant preliminary plan wavier request. Unanimous vote with Galen Asper abstaining. Motion carried. Oldt/Bard motion to approve Land Development Plan for the Shippensburg Market Place as Final Plan contingent upon easements being recorded if these easements are needed, Highway Occupancy pe,mit being obtained, and Martin and Martin comments dated June 17, 2002 being addressed. Unanimous vote with Galen Asper abstaining. Motion carried. Charles Wenger Land Development Plan. Oldt/Asper motion to approve Preliminary Plan Wavier request. Unanimous vote. Motion carried. Asper/Oldt motion to approve as Final Land Development Plan contingent upon Bonding and Shippensburg Borough approval. Unanimous vote. Motion carried. CSR Lisa Coyle would like the minutes to reflect that the May 4, 2002 minutes of the Supervisors erroneously stated that the "C in CSR" stand for Henry F. Coyne. Henry Coyne has no involvement with CSR Enterprises other than legal counsel. CSR submitted revised plans excluding the dedication of Brookside Ave in the calculations of density. Also, tabulation for parking is in compliance with parking spaces. Page 3, July 6, 2002 Supervisors meeting Discussion took place regarding the owner of the Accia house closing off Martin Ave into his property. There is some concern about this action since this will push more traffic on Brookside Ave. Nancy Hodge says there has always been a sign at the end of Brookside Ave stating "NO OUTLET". Angelo Tsambiras says what the owner is trying to stop is cars that are not residents of his property cutting across his property from Martin Ave to Britton Road. Oldt/Bard motion to waive Preliminary Plan requirement for revised plans for CSR Enterprises. Unanimous vote. Motion carried. Oldt/Asper motion to approve CSR Enterprises revised Land Development Plans dated June 26, 2002 as Final Plans. Unanimous vote. Motion carded. Oldt/Bard motion to waive section 303D of the Township's subdivision and land development ordinance as it relates to notification to the school district. Unanimous vote. Motion carried. Oldt/Bard motion to grant request for an 90 day extension for filing a bond or letter of credit for the Final Plan of CSR Enterprises due to the delay caused by the pending litigation. Unanimous vote. Motion carried. Justin Meckley of Vigilant Hose was present. No reports at this time. Fred Gorsuch Subdivision Asper/Oldt motion to approve the Fred Gorsuch Subdivision. Unanimous vote. Motion carded. Asper/Oldt motion to sign Form B, nonbuilding wavier. Unanimous vote. Motion carded. Oldt/Asper motion to approve General Fund and State Aid disbursements as present. Unanimous vote. Motion carried. Meeting Adjourned. Minutes Respectfully Submitted Linda Asper Township Clerk martin and martin, incorporated 37 south main street · suite A · chambersburg, pennsylvania · 17201-2251 (717) 264-6759 (717) 264-7339 (fax) email: rnartinmartin @ innemet.net May 2, 2002 Shippensburg Township Supervisors P. O. Box 219 Shippensburg, PA 17257 Gentlemen: Re: Land Development Plan CSR Enterprises (Revised) Our file: 492.97 (T36-49297A) Our office has reviewed the above referenced, revised plan in accordance with the Township Ordinances and in light of our most recent comments dated April 10, 2002. We would note the following comments for your consideration. 1. The Township should act on the PADEP sewage planning exemption and forward to DEP for consideration. (305J) 2. The Township should ensure that the notarized owner's signature appears on the certification statement on the Final Plan. (305.E) 3. The applicant has provided a revised construction cost estimate in accordance with our request..O.ur office is in agreement with the costs provided and recommends that, upon resolution of the remammg plan comments, security be provided in the amount of $1'/0,390.00 to guarantee the completion of the proposed public improvements. This figure represents 110% of the cost estimate and an additional 2.5% for the cost of Township inspection. Said security must be provided in a form acceptable to the Township Solicitor. (307.D) 4. Section 914.11 of the Township Zoning Ordinance deals with recreation requirements and states "20% of the total tract area is to be reserved and developed for outdoor recreational purposes." The quoted calculation of 40.6% of lawn and landscape area is a completely separate element of this plan. The plan should clearly identify 20% (nearly one acre of ground) as outdoor recreation area that is clearly able to be utilized for this purpose, otherwise the applicant is required to seek the appropriate relief from the Township. Should you have any questions concerning this correspondence, please don't hesitate to contact this office at your convenience. Very truly yours, MARTIN AND MARTIN, INCORPORATED Timothy C. Cormany, AICP TCC cc: Carl Bert & Associates Ron Turo, Esq. MUNICIPAL · URBAN · REGIONAL MUNICIPAL · CIVIL · SANITARY · LAND DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL pLANNERS · SOLID WASTE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERS martin and martin, incorporated 37 south main street · suite A · chambersburg, pennsylvania · 17201-2251 (717) 264-6759 (717) 264-7339 (fax) email: martinmartin @ innemet.net July 3, 2002 Shippensburg Township Supervisors P. O. Box 219 Shippensburg, PA 17257 Re: Land Development Plan (Revised) CSR Enterprises Our file: 492.97 (T39-49297) Gentlemen: Our office has reviewed the above referenced, revised plan in accordance with the Township Ordinances and in light of prior comments issued by this office. As we understand it, this plan represents a slight revision to the previously approved land development plan. Said revisions have been made in response to an appeal filed by the developers of the Bard Meadows project. The revisions include the following. 1. The calculations regarding green area and impervious area have been revised to reflect the fact that the area within the proposed Brookside Avenue right-of-way has been excluded. 2. The total impervious area has been slightly reduced via the elimination of several segments of sidewalk, three parking spaces, and a portion of paving near the Kenneth Avenue entrance. Information provided by the Developer's surveyor indicates that vehicle maneuvering in and out of the associated parking stalls remains viable. 3. The parking tabulation has been revised accordingly. 4. All sheets have been revised to accurately reflect the relocated position of the Charles Parker dwelling which previously encroached onto the subject property. 5. One dumpster pad has been eliminated at the Kenneth Avenue entrance. 6. Sheet 9 of 15 now illustrates the proposed screening and the 20% recreational area previously approved by the Township but not illustrated on the approved plan. Our review indicates that these changes result in no negative impacts to the previously approved plan. The changes all appear to be positive and should not alter previously recommended bonding amounts. Any earlier approval contingencies should remain in effect, however our office has no further comment on this plan. · REGIONAL · LAND DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNERS · SANITARY · SOLID WASTE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERS MUNICIPAL · URBAN MUNICIPAL · CIVIL Shippensburg Township Supervisors July 3, 2002 Page 2 Should you have any questions concerning this correspondence, please don't hesitate to contact this otT~ce at your convenience. Very truly yours, MARTIN AND MARTIN, iNCORPORATED Timothy C. Cormany, AICP TCC cc: Ron Turo, Esq. Carl Bert & Associates OVERSIZED DOCUMENT SHIPPENSBURG TOWNHOUSES, LLC and WESTMINSTER DEVELOPMENT, LLC, Appellants BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF SHIPPENSBURG TOWNSHIP, and Appellee CAROL VESCHI, SEAN TIGHE, and ROBERT VESCHI, t/dgo/a CSR ENTERPRISES, Intervenor IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PA NO. 02-3791 Civil Term Land Use Appeal APPELLANTS' RESPONSE TO INTERVENOR'S PETITION TO COMPEL APPELLANTS TO POST BOND AND NOW come the Respondents, Appellants, Shippensburg Townhouses, LLC and Westminster Development, LLC, ("Respondents") by and through their counsel, Knox McLaughlin Gomall & Sermett, P.C., and aver the following in support of this Response to Intervenor's, Carol Veschi, Sean Tighe and Robert Veschi, t/d/b/a CSR Enterprises ("Petitioner"), Petition to Compel Appellants to Post Bond: 1. Admitted. 2. Admitted. 3. Admitted. By way of further answer, Respondent Shippensburg Townhouses, LLC owns and operates Bard Meadows. Respondent Westminster Development, LLC does not own and operate Bard Meadows; it owns and operates a retail store located at 605- 607 East King Street, Shippensburg, PA 17257, Index No: 36-33-1869-28. 4. Admitted. By way of further answer, Respondent Westminster Development,LLC, owns a parcel of property one parcel removed from Petitioner's Property. 5. Admitted. 6. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that Respondents did not attend the Township Supervisors meeting held on July 6, 2002. It is denied there were any public hearings held concerning the Petitioner's original or revised Land Development Plan. Respondent is unsure as to the meaning of"various public meetings" and therefore cannot supply a response and such allegation is therefore denied. By way of further answer, a representative of the Township advised a representative of the Respondent that the Petitioner's original Land Development Plan would not be approved due to an inability to comply with the recreational area requirement. 7. Admitted. 8. The averments of this paragraph state a legal conclusion, which requires no response. To the extent that a response may be deemed required, it is denied Respondents filed the Land Use Appeal for no legitimate reason as Respondents have alleged legitimate and legally viable challenges to the Township Supervisors' approval of Petitioner's development plan, namely that Petitioners have failed to comply with the recreational area requirement set forth in Shippensburg Township Zoning Ordinance ("Zoning Ordinance') Section 914.11 and that Petitioners have failed to comply with the parking space requirements set forth in Zoning Ordinance Sections 404 and 909. 9. The averments of this paragraph state a legal conclusion, which requires no response. To the extent that a response may be deemed required, it is denied the issues raised in Respondents' Land Use Appeal are frivolous as the two issues identified in paragraph 8 are justiciable questions about which Respondents have a reasonable chance of succeeding in this litigation. 10. The averments of this paragraph state a legal conclusion, which requires no response. To the extent that a response may be deemed required, it is denied that Respondents lack standing as both Respondents own property nearly adjacent to or in close proximity to Petitioner's property. Respondent Westminster Development, LLC owns property that is just one parcel removed from Petitioner's property, and Respondent Shippensburg Townhouses, LLC owns property that is approximately one and a half miles from Petitioner's property. Additionally, both Respondents have a direct interest in this adjudication in the nature of ensuring that property values in close proximity to Petitioner's development do not decrease due to the inappropriately high density of the development which fails to conform to the Zoning Ordinance, and in the nature of ensuring that housing development for university students is of high quality and conforms to local zoning and land development requirements so that local universities have no incentive or reason to prohibit students from living off-campus, which would have a direct negative impact on the value of Respondent Shippensburg Townhouses, LLC's property. 11. 12. Admitted. Respondents have no knowledge of the averments contained in paragraph 12 and therefore deny the same. It is denied that Respondents' Land Use Appeal is frivolous and brought to harass Petitioner. 13. Denied. 14. The averments of this paragraph state a legal conclusion, which requires no response. To the extent that a response may be deemed required, it is denied that Petitioner is entitled to relief as requested pursuant to 53 P.S. § 11003-A(d). WHEREFORE, Respondents, Appellants, Shippensburg Townhouses, LLC and Westminster Development, LLC, respectfully request that this Honorable Court deny Petitioner's request that Respondents post a bond because Respondents' Land Use Appeal raises justiciable issues that are supported by facts of record and that are reasonable and not frivolous. Dated: November 6, 2002 Respectfully submitted, KNOX McLAUGHLIN GORNALL & BY: ~/ Timoth' /I Z~ez~ula, Esquare Pa. Su me Ct. No. 73716 Jennifer E. Gomall-Rouch, Esquire Pa. Supreme Ct. No. 78278 120 West Tenth Street Erie, PA 16501-1461 (814) 459-2800 # 461354 Attomeys for Appellants, ShippensburgTownhouses, LLC and Westminster Development, LLC SHtPPENSBURG TOWNHOUSES, LLC and WESTMINSTER DEVELOPMENT, LLC, Appellants BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF SH~PENSBURG TOWNSHIP, and Appellee CAROL VESCHI, SEAN TIGHE, and ROBERT VESCHI, t/dgo/a CSR ENTERPRISES, Intervenor IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PA NO. 02-3791 Civil Term Land Use Appeal CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE The undersigned hereby certifies that on the ~'~day of November, 2002, a copy o£the within Response to Petition to Compel was served on upon the below-referenced individuals at the below listed address by way of first class mail, postage pre-paid: Ron Turro, Esquire Solicitor, Shippensburg Township 28 South Pitt Street Carlisle, PA 17013 Lisa Marie Coyne, Esquire Coyne & Coyne, P.C. 3901 Market Street Camp Hill, PA 17011-4227 ~,T~~ ~la, s~quir~e Attorneys for Appellants, Shippensburg Townhouses, LLC and Westminster Development, LLC # 461354 SHIPPENSBURG TOWNHOUSES, LLC and WESTMINSTER DEVELOPMENT, Appellants BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF SHIPPENSBURG TOWNSHIP Appellee and CAROL VESCHI, SEAN TIGHE and ROBERT VESCHI, t/d/b/a/CSR Enterprises, Intervenor IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PA NO. 02-3791 Civil Term Land Use Appeal PRAECIPE FOR LISTING CASE FOR A~RGUMENT TO THEPROTHONOTARY: Please list the within matter for the next Argument Court. 1. State matter to be argued: Land Use Appeal Concerning Apellee' s approval of a Land Development Plan and Intervenors' Motion to Dismiss appeal. Identify counsel who will argue case: Timothy M. Zieziula, Esquire Knox, McLaughlin, Gomall & Sennett, P.C. 120 West 10t~ Street Erie, PA 16501 Attorney for Appellants Ron Turo, Esquire Turo Law Offices 28 South Pitt Street Carlisle, PA 17013 Attorney for Appellees Lisa Marie Coyne, Esquire Coyne & Coyne, P.C. 3901 Market Street Camp Hill, PA 170114227 Attorney for Intervenor I will notify all parties in writing within two days that this case has been listed for argument. Argument Court Date: Dated: December 6, 2002 Respectfully submitted: COYNE & COYNE, P.C. By. ~'~ ~~ Lisa Marie Coy~he, Esquire Pa. Supreme Ct. No. 53788 Attorney for Intervenor SHIPPENSBURG TOWNHOUSES, LLC, and WESTMINSTER DEVELOPMENT, LLC, Respondents V BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF SHIPPENSBURG TOWNSHIP, Petitioner and : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF : CUMBERLAND CO~gTY, PENNSYLVANIA : 02-3791 CIVIL TERM : CAROL VESCHI, SEAN TIGHE, : And ROBERT VESCHI, t/d/b/a: LAND USE APPEAL CSR ENTERPRISES, : Intervenor : IN RE: PETITION FOR POSTING OF BOND ORDER OF COURT AND NOW, November 6, 2002, after hearing and consideration of the testimony presented and the arguments of counsel, we do determine that the appeal of Shippensburg Townhouses and Westminster Development is frivolous. After consideration of the testimony presented on the amount of bond, the Court does grant the petition for posting of bond. The amount of bond shall be $124,500.00. The bond shall be posted within ten days of today's date. Should the appeal continue to be in the legal system one year from today's date a second bond of $124,500.00 shall be posted. (See 53 P.S.A. 11003-a). By the Court, Timothy M. Zieziula, Esquire For the Respondents James Robinson, Esquire For the Petitioner :mtf ~i Lisa M. Coyne, Esquire For the Intervenor SHIPPENSBURG TOWNHOUSES, LLC and WESTMINSTER DEVELOPMENT, LLC, Appellants BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF SHIPPENSBURG TOWNSHIP, and Appellee CAROL VESCHI, SEAN TIGHE, and ROBERT VESCHI, t/d/b/a CSR ENTERPRISES, Intervenor IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PA NO. 02-3791 Civil Term Land Use Appeal PRAECIPE FOR A DISCONTINUAaNCE TO THE PROTHONOTARY: You are hereby authorized, empowered, and directed to withdraw WITH PREJUDICE the above-captioned Land Use Appeal. Date: November 19, 2002 Respectfully submitted, KNOX McLAUGHLIN GORNALL & SENNETT, P.C. Pa. Supr~ine Ct. No. 73716 120 West Tenth Street Erie, PA 161501-1461 (814) 459-2800 Counsel for Shippensburg Townhouses, LLC and Westminster Development, LLC # 463898 SHIPPENSBURG TOWNHOUSES, LLC and WESTMINSTER DEVELOPMENT, LLC, Vo Appellants BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF SHIPPENSBURG TOWNSHIP, and Appellee CAROL VESCHI, SEAN TIGHE, and ROBERT VESCHI, t/d/b/a CSR ENTERPRISES, Intervenor ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) IN THE; COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PA NO. 02-3791 Civil Term Land Use Appeal CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE The undersigned hereby certifies that on the ] ~i ~( ___ day of November, 2002, a copy of the within Praecipe for a Discontinuance was served on upon the below-referenced individuals at the below listed address by way of first class mail, postage pre-paid: Ron Turro, Esquire Turo Law Offices Solicitor, Shippensburg Township 28 South Pitt Street Carlisle, PA 17013 # 463898 Lisa Marie Coyne, Esquire Coyne & Coyne, P.C. 3901 Market Street CampHill, PA 17011-4,~~i ~/~/~ /~~ Timotl M. Zieziuht'~ Esquire Attorneys for Appellants, Shippensburg Townhouses, LLC and Westminster Development, LLC 14. Shippensburg Townhouses, LLC and Westminster : : Development : V : : Board of Supervisors of Shippensburg Township : . V : : Carol Veschi, Sean Tighe and Robert Veschi, : t/dPo/a CRS Enterprises : ' F 1N THE COURT O COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBER_LAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA NO. 02-3791 CIVIL TERM ORDER OF COURT AND NOW, December 5, 2002, by agreement of counsel, the above captioned case is hereby stricken from the December 4, 2002 Argument Court list. Counsel is directed to relist the case when ready. By the Court, ,/'Timothy M. Zieziula, Esquire For the Plaintiff Ron Turo, Esquire ~Lisa Marie Coyne, Esquire For the Defendant Court Administrator la-$-oa ld