Traffic Issues Delay Action on PSECU's Plan

I'm attaching today's Patriot News article regarding the proposed PSECU project. 

At last night's Planning Commission meeting, the Commission reviewed PSECU's subdivision and rezoning requests.  By way of history, PSECU wants to relocate its office building and needs the Township to rezone its planned parcel from a designation of Conservation to one of Business-Residential-Office ("BOR").  While the Planning Commission did approve PSECU's request to subdivide its proposed 47-acre parcel from the state's larger 189-acre parcel, it placed an important condition on its approval by requiring that a restriction be placed in the deed transfer that would prohibit any retail activity at the location without prior approval of the Susquehanna Township Board of Commissioners.  The Commission was concerned about the impact retail traffic would have on the surrounding area and wanted to ensure that no retail activity would occur without the Township's ability to review the matter.

With respect to the rezoning request, the Planning Commission exercised caution and tabled the matter.  One of the main issues with PSECU's project last night was that the Planning Commission had not seen PennDOT's comments to PSECU's traffic study.   Typically, to determine the traffic impact of its proposed development, a developer is required to conduct a traffic study.  The information complied by the traffic study serves as the basis for PennDOT to recommend certain road improvements like traffic lights, turning lanes and wider roads.  At last night's meeting, no Planning Commission member had seen PennDOT's comments.  This fact was significant as one of the major concerns residents have about this development is the traffic impact.  The Planning Commission felt uncomfortable moving forward with a decision, despite arguments by PSECU's attorney to the contrary, without having the benefit of seeing and reviewing PennDOT's comments.

The next Planning Commmission meeting is on January 26, 2009.


Traffic Issues Delay Action On 2 Plans

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Traffic concerns and other issues led the Susquehanna Twp. Planning Commission to table two development proposals Monday night.

The commission recommended subdividing 47 acres from a 189-acre parcel at Elmerton and Kohn roads, where the Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union hopes to build a new headquarters, but the panel tabled a vote on PSECU's request to rezone the land from conservation district to office use.

Commissioners said they want to wait for the township engineer's reaction to the state Department of Transportation's comments on the traffic impact of the 240,000-square-foot facility.

Township commissioner Tracey Lewis called increased traffic from the PSECU building, a new hotel and restaurant nearby, and any future development "a major concern" for area residents.

The planning commissioners also tabled a proposal from Harrisburg developer Dan Schiavoni to build 13 homes off Linglestown Road, at Latsha and Countryside drives.

They expressed concerns over proposed individual wells, instead of township-required public water hookups, and a cul-de-sac.

Residents at the meeting worried that more homes on Latsha Drive would increase accidents and worsen the already challenging left turn onto Linglestown Road.

The Planning Commission, which recommends that township commissioners approve or disapprove development proposals, could consider the proposals Jan. 26.