[0:50] Yeah. [1:15] Where's that coming from? [1:17] When I turned it off, I could hear it. I [1:19] thought it was me. [1:22] Awesome. [1:37] Thank you. [1:52] Almost. [2:31] Good evening. We'll get uh tonight's [2:34] meeting of the Scranton City Planning [2:35] Commission called to order. [2:40] Don, would you go ahead and do roll [2:41] call, please? [2:45] Mr. Fehey [2:46] >> here. [2:47] >> Mr. Flanigan [2:48] >> here. [2:49] >> Miss Davis [2:50] >> here. [2:51] >> Mr. [2:52] >> here. [2:53] >> Mr. Chair [2:54] >> here. [2:58] » All right. Uh, first item under old [3:01] business is review of the preliminary [3:03] final land development plan for the Copa [3:05] Cabana Glamping Complex, Morgan Highway. [3:09] Any updates on that project, Don or [3:12] Casey? Uh, no. We got a uh review back [3:16] from the soil conservation service and I [3:19] think they had some comments, but that [3:21] was the only item I've seen on that [3:24] since uh the last few months. [3:26] >> Okay. [3:28] >> Where are we at? Um, as far as [3:30] extensions that uh [3:33] >> uh they gave us an extension. I'll have [3:34] to go back and look at the day. [3:36] >> Okay. Where we're at. I think I think [3:38] it's good through September. [3:40] >> Okay. Um, [3:43] I mean, obvious I don't remember when we [3:46] first looked at at the project, but you [3:49] let us know if we get to a point where, [3:51] you know, we might need to just [3:54] seek, you know, have them resubmited at [3:56] some point. I mean, if the project's [3:58] moving along or we're still getting some [4:00] things coming in, that's one thing. But [4:02] if we're not here much either, [4:05] >> yeah, I I'll reach out to them to talk [4:07] to them. [4:08] >> Okay. [4:12] All righty. Any questions from anybody [4:14] on that project? [4:19] All right. Then we'll move on to review [4:21] of the preliminary final land [4:22] development plan for the construction of [4:24] a warehouse facility on a parcel located [4:27] on a 56.86 [4:29] acre parcel between Boulevard A and [4:31] Elephant A south of Interstate 81. The [4:35] proposed improvements for construction [4:36] are two warehouse facilities totaling [4:39] 495,000 square ft, car and truck parking [4:42] facilities, and associated storm water [4:44] conveyance and infiltration facilities. [4:50] Anything on that? [4:53] I have been in contact with the [4:56] engineer. Um we we issued a draft letter [4:58] to to them um because we had had several [5:00] preliminary meetings with the uh with [5:03] their concept plans and just they were [5:05] bouncing different ideas off us but they [5:06] did submit officially and we did accept [5:09] the plans. I don't remember what month. [5:11] Um, we created a draft letter and we [5:13] discussed it with them because there was [5:14] a traffic item that we wanted them to [5:16] address and they subsequently addressed [5:18] that by showing they can make the truck [5:21] turns at Boulevard and Main Street in [5:24] Dixon City. Um, they've also reached out [5:26] about several other comments that we [5:28] made, but we haven't gone officially on [5:29] the record. So, I need to do that [5:31] immediately um because I'm anticipating [5:33] they're going to respond to that draft [5:34] letter. Uh and and it's still valid [5:37] minus the traffic comment that we made [5:39] that they um responded to. Okay. So, [5:43] they're they're active and I think we [5:44] should I'll encourage them to come in [5:46] next month. Um assuming they've [5:48] responded to the review letter that we [5:50] send, which I'll do this week. [5:53] Okay, great. No, I think that sounds [5:56] like a plan. [5:58] Uh, Don, did you have any comments on [6:00] that project? [6:01] >> No. [6:02] >> Okay. [6:04] >> Working through them. [6:05] >> All right, sounds good. Anything from [6:07] planning commission members? [6:10] >> Yeah, I think if they're ready and and [6:12] available next month, um, we can have [6:14] them in, invite them in and [6:17] take a look at the project. [6:20] All right, on to the third item under [6:23] old business. Review of preliminary [6:24] final land development plan for the [6:26] development of 14 apartments with 4,000 [6:28] square ft of office space and 4,000 [6:31] square ft of retail space at 1800 North [6:33] Washington A as part of the [6:35] redevelopment of the former state school [6:37] for the deaf site. Look like we have [6:40] somebody here uh on the project. So come [6:42] on up and introduce yourself for us [6:45] again. And [6:45] >> good evening. Good evening. Dave Leaka [6:47] with Ruther and Bowen. [6:50] Um, [6:52] we're the engineers for the project. We [6:54] did receive prior to last month's [6:57] meeting comments from your engineer, [6:59] which at this point I believe we've [7:01] addressed. Uh, there naturally is still [7:03] a few outstanding items that we need to [7:06] um, well, I guess he needs to look at. I [7:08] don't know how much you got to look at [7:09] it, Casey, but I know a lot of the a [7:11] good portion of them I think we've [7:13] addressed other than I think planning [7:15] module, which I did submit to um to Don [7:18] and he did get back to me. Um we finally [7:21] got a resolution from PA American as to [7:27] what was previously utilized from a flow [7:30] standpoint and what we're proposing. Um, [7:35] so I did provide that uh information to [7:38] Don. He signed off on the city side of [7:41] it. We're just waiting for Dumbore [7:42] Burough to sign off on their side and [7:44] we'll actually submit it to to D [7:47] um formally once we have sign off from [7:50] Dumbore Burough. [7:53] Um [7:56] there were a number of comments. Um and [7:59] again I I believe we went through and addressed probably 90% of them. [8:06] There are some outstanding items. Um [8:09] we had some comments received from [8:12] conservation district. Um we've [8:14] addressed those and resubmitted to them. [8:16] So, we're kind of waiting for their [8:18] response, [clears throat] excuse me, [8:20] back um as to whether or not they have [8:23] anything additional um or if they're [8:26] ready to issue a permit. Um Lacawana [8:30] County Regional Planning Commission. We [8:32] submitted to them and I provided a [8:33] letter to the city uh stating that they [8:37] did not need to review it because [8:40] there's really no new buildings. It's [8:41] really just parking and storm water. So [8:44] it it's excluded from from their review. [8:47] So they did provide a letters stating [8:50] that uh you guys have a copy of that. Um [9:03] we are still waiting for a lighting [9:06] plan. Uh I talked to the developers. We [9:08] didn't really have um locations shown on [9:12] our utility plan that showed lighting. [9:14] So, I believe they're engaging [9:16] electrical engineer just to lay out [9:19] lights and actually provide a [9:20] photometrics plan uh showing there's no [9:23] overshot on to neighboring properties [9:25] and whatnot. [9:27] And the landscape plan is in the process [9:29] of being developed as well. [9:34] Um there were a few and I don't know we [9:37] didn't waivers at the last meeting. [9:39] Correct. [9:41] >> I don't Yeah, I don't remember. I was [9:42] going to ask. I have them listed here. [9:43] >> So, yeah. So, so I did um provide a [9:46] letter um of the waivers were [9:49] requesting. Uh there are three waivers. [9:52] One of them has to do with scale. One in [9:54] equals 50. Our believe our plans are at [9:56] 1 in equals 30, which is actually a [9:58] larger um a larger scale, a little [10:03] easier to read, but we're rest [10:05] requesting a waiver on the 50 1 in [10:09] equals 50 foot requirement. [10:12] Um requesting a waiver on the minimum [10:15] pipe size of 15 in. the major like [10:18] pretty much all the pipes uh within this [10:20] project are [10:23] um [10:25] going to be owned and maintained by the [10:27] property owner. There's nothing that [10:28] we're extending out into into a street [10:31] somewhere that's going to be a [10:32] requirement of the city. Um and I [10:35] believe we're going from 12 or from 15 [10:38] to 12. We have a 12-in um outlet pipe [10:42] that [10:45] really didn't need to be a 15 in because [10:48] there the flow is pretty small. Um and [10:51] the other one was the improvement [10:52] guarantee being that there is no [10:54] improvements that the city needs to take [10:56] over. Um [10:59] we would like to request a waiver from the guarantee. Um, and typically [11:04] that's when you're working and doing [11:06] stuff uh within the public right away [11:08] that's going to get dedicated to the [11:10] city. None of there's nothing here [11:11] that's going to be dedicated to the city [11:13] for this project. So, uh, that would be [11:16] the third waiver. So, I believe that [11:17] would probably be the the first item [11:19] that we would need to to address from your side, the waivers. [11:24] Um, let me just go through here quickly [11:28] just to see if there's anything [11:31] that I'm missing. [11:35] Dave, we we have a we'll have a couple [11:37] follow-up comments on some of the [11:39] responses, but you know, they they've [11:40] done a really good job of of, you know, [11:43] responding to these comments. You [11:44] mentioned lighting and landscaping is [11:46] outstanding. Their outside agency permit [11:48] with the conservation district. Um, I [11:50] think the only item that I still want to [11:52] discuss and maybe I thought we talked [11:54] about it last time, but maybe we [11:55] weren't. Um, maybe we worded it wrong, [11:57] but the internal circulation with the [11:59] sidewalks. I think what we were trying [12:01] to to say last time is we we wanted to [12:04] ensure that you had a decent connection [12:08] to the the local streets and I I think [12:11] on the plan that doesn't happen in some [12:13] locations. [12:17] Uh so I just I it's something I I'd [12:19] really like you to look at. Um [12:21] >> we we could certainly do that. Um I I [12:23] could even give you a call and we can [12:25] talk about it quickly. [12:26] >> Yeah. because we've drawn them out and [12:27] there's lots of internal path, but I I [12:30] think we would like to go the extra step [12:31] and make sure they they hit the city [12:32] streets [12:33] >> since there's going to be, you know, [12:35] residents here that that would want [12:36] >> Sure. No, we can definitely do that. [12:38] >> Okay. [12:39] >> I I mean there I don't think that's a [12:41] big deal in the overall [12:42] >> I don't either. I just I just want to [12:43] make sure we take it off. the two [12:45] comments um and I I think we talked [12:48] about them briefly [12:50] last month with regards to zoning were [12:53] the requirements from the FAA and Pendot [12:56] for [12:58] um Bureau of Aviation clearance. No, [13:03] it's it's zoning one and two. We're not [13:05] building any new buildings. So So from [13:08] my perspective, if we're not going up [13:11] with building heights, I'm not sure that [13:13] there there's a need for us to get [13:17] um any type of approval from PennDOT or [13:21] the FAA regarding [13:23] height [13:24] >> because the buildings are increased. [13:26] >> Yeah, that won't that won't be returned. [13:28] Comment understood. [13:33] » Um I think that that was it. I mean if [13:37] whatever additional that you guys have [13:40] and especially the connectivity uh we [13:43] can definitely discuss that and come up [13:45] with a solution on that shouldn't be an [13:48] issue. [13:48] >> Yeah, it's a minor item compared to the [13:50] overall scope of work. So [13:57] » all right. So I I yeah I mean I I'm [14:00] assuming at this point you guys need to [14:02] address the three waivers um because [14:05] from our end of it if you guys approve [14:08] those waivers we'll note them on the [14:09] drawing so when they are approved [14:11] everything is recorded um that states [14:15] the waivers were granted. So [14:18] >> okay any uh do you have any other [14:19] comments Casey? [14:22] Just just some follow-ups on some of the [14:24] other comments but I don't think it's worthy of discussion at this point. [14:27] I think they've addressed substantially [14:29] addressed the comments and and regarding [14:31] the waivers, their scale, minimum pipe [14:33] size, and this uh improvements [14:35] guarantee. We have no objection to those [14:37] waivers. [14:38] >> Okay. Um so we can go ahead and approve [14:40] the the waivers tonight. [14:42] >> Yeah, I recommend. [14:44] >> Okay. Um I don't have uh I don't have [14:46] those in front of me. I jotted down [14:49] >> some notes on the the three of them, but [14:55] thank you. [15:05] Okay. So, we'll be looking for a motion [15:08] first to approve a waiver requested for [15:10] relief of plan scale from 1 in to 50 [15:13] foot to 1 in 30 foot to provide greater [15:16] detail the proposed plans. [15:20] >> Do we have a motion? [15:21] >> So moved. [15:23] >> Have a second. [15:25] >> Second. [15:25] >> All right. All in favor say I. [15:28] >> I. [15:28] >> Any opposed? [15:31] Motion passes. Uh second waiver. We'll [15:34] be looking for a motion uh requesting [15:38] uh waiver from the minimum 15in diameter [15:40] for the proposed 12in storm pipes. [15:44] Do we have a motion? [15:48] » So moved. [15:49] >> Thank you. Second. [15:51] >> Second. [15:52] >> All in favor? [15:54] I [15:55] >> I [15:56] >> any opposed? [15:58] All right, that waiver is approved. Um [16:00] and the third waiver is uh from the [16:03] improvement guarantee requirements uh in [16:06] the SAO uh for the reasons that were [16:08] discussed. [16:10] Do we have a motion? [16:13] >> So moved. [16:14] >> Second. All in favor say I. [16:17] >> I. [16:19] Great. And the um Casey, the uh I know [16:22] we had talked about the FAA approval. [16:24] So, is that does that require a waiver [16:26] or is that um [16:28] >> that's a zoning? I'll take a look at [16:31] that, but yeah, I I don't think that [16:32] needs a waiver from the commission. [16:35] >> It was a zoning comment. [16:36] >> Okay. [16:37] >> That I just don't think applies because [16:40] we're not building up. [16:43] >> Okay. Um great. Okay. So, you've got [16:47] your waiverss. Um, it sounds like [16:49] there's a little more work that still [16:50] needs to be done and then we'll [16:53] take a look at the project uh maybe next [16:55] month. [17:00] Sound like a plan, [17:02] >> I guess. [17:05] Is that I mean, is that all right? Were [17:06] you looking for [17:06] >> No, I mean naturally a conditional [17:09] approval would be great, but if you guys [17:11] feel as though we need to come back with [17:13] some of those couple other items, we we [17:15] could certainly do that. What are uh I [17:18] mean what what's your recommendation [17:20] Casey? Is there I mean I know you [17:21] mentioned um you know some of the the [17:24] sidewalks and the circulation. We [17:26] haven't seen the the lighting plan or [17:27] landscaping plans. [17:33] Yeah. I mean our our our biggest items [17:36] remaining I guess would be the some [17:39] follow up on some existing sewer just [17:40] showing the connectivity internally. Um [17:44] you know there's a number of buildings [17:45] on site and that's not necessarily [17:48] outlined. I don't know if that's an [17:49] issue or not. Maybe, maybe not. Uh [17:52] lighting, landscaping, [17:54] uh the the sidewalks, [17:58] uh and a couple storm water comments [18:00] just about [18:02] some of the means and methods, we'll [18:05] say, of of what was done. I mean, [18:07] substantially they're they they meet the [18:08] ordinance, but there's there's just some [18:10] questions we have about design storms [18:12] and things like that. So, I mean, [18:14] they're they're in a good place. Um we [18:17] if they have their MPDS is it like a [18:20] technical review or is it or is it just [18:22] >> that was we addressed comments back [18:25] >> regarding that. So um that was [18:28] resubmitted. I'm hoping to hear back [18:29] from them within the next week or two. [18:31] >> Right. And this this project just as [18:33] just to kind of go back a bit is is [18:36] a small part of it is in the city of [18:38] Scranton. It's um you know joint jointly [18:40] with Dunore Burough. I don't know how [18:41] that's going on that end. I haven't [18:44] >> they didn't have a meeting last month. [18:45] So I'm going to our first meeting this [18:48] week for for Dumbward Burough. [18:51] >> I mean so for so for the portion that [18:52] lies within the city of Scranton it may [18:54] be appropriate to I mean it's at your at [18:56] your pleasure to entertain that but [18:58] >> and we did actually receive comments [19:01] from Dunore Bureau's engineer and have [19:03] addressed those as well and sent those [19:05] back. So, I'm hoping at the Dunmore [19:09] meeting next week that we can get [19:11] conditional approval because we did [19:12] address the majority of their comments [19:15] uh other than the MPDS permit and a [19:18] couple other minor ones. So, [19:19] >> Mhm. [19:22] >> Okay. [19:24] Um, I mean, it sounds to me like [19:25] there's, you know, probably a few things [19:27] at least the planning commission would [19:28] want to see the the additional [19:30] sidewalks, the landscaping plan, [19:31] lighting plans, and and whatnot before [19:34] we um provided conditional approval or [19:38] final approval in that case. So, um, [19:41] yeah, why don't we wait? [19:43] >> We'll go and we'll provide another [19:44] review letter. We received a [19:45] resubmission uh recently and we'll go on [19:47] record with that and that will likely [19:49] clear up most of these comments. So that should be a non-issue next. [19:53] >> Yeah. And I I'll I'll give you a call [19:55] and we can talk about the connect or [19:58] connectivity uh issue and we'll we'll do [20:01] what we need to do to to address that. [20:03] >> Okay. Thank you. [20:04] >> Okay. Sounds good. [20:06] >> Thank you. [20:07] >> Yeah. Thank you. Appreciate the update. [20:15] » All right. Under new business, uh we [20:17] have the review of preliminary final [20:19] land development plan for the [20:20] development of an 1,858 [20:23] square foot building proposed as a cigar [20:25] bar at 1545 Albbright Avenue. [20:30] Don or Casey want to provide a little [20:33] info about this project? [20:36] >> Yes, this in addition to an existing [20:38] building. They're right in there behind [20:40] AutoZone off Greenidge Street. It's [20:42] going to be a cigar bar and uh golf [20:46] simulator [20:49] facility. [20:50] Uh it's in a flood zone, but they have [20:54] provided us with the the flood [20:55] information. [20:57] Uh I think they still have a number of [21:00] comments that they're still working [21:02] through. [21:05] Yeah, we issued a letter earlier this [21:06] week. Um, obviously the the the flood [21:09] the elevation certificate was one of one [21:11] of the comments which they provided [21:12] today. Um, we had a question about [21:15] zoning because there there's not a [21:17] permitted use in the light industrial [21:18] zone, but I think that's resolved. [21:21] >> Yeah. Yeah, we're we're okay on the [21:22] zoning. So [21:24] >> So they have some some buffering to [21:25] provide uh based on the zoning [21:27] ordinance, their sewage planning. Um, [21:30] they don't really have a storm water [21:31] plan because this is this site is almost [21:34] entirely impervious in the existing [21:35] condition. Um, and they're using like a [21:38] pvious [21:39] pavement of like pavers of some sort to [21:42] reduce their impact. So [21:44] >> that's what the true grid uh the true [21:47] pavers are. Yeah, I had a question about [21:48] that. [21:49] >> Right. So the letter was really light. I [21:50] mean it was a it was a good submission. [21:52] Uh we accepted it last month. So I guess [21:54] we can encourage them to come in next [21:55] month as well to [21:57] >> so they can I don't want to misrepresent [21:59] what they're doing. Um so they can talk [22:01] about it to us. But uh did we accept [22:03] this one last last month? [22:06] the person it came in like literally the [22:09] day of or the day before the meeting. So [22:11] I don't I don't know if we did. [22:12] >> Yeah. I don't think we we did so we [22:14] could formally accept it. [22:15] >> It's complete tonight [22:16] >> for sure. Yes. I would recommend that we [22:18] accept it and start the review clock. [22:20] >> Okay. [22:23] >> All right. Um initial questions from [22:25] anybody on this project? Anything Casey [22:26] might be able to answer for us? [22:32] Uh there is one uh yeah very close to this. [22:40] » Yeah. [22:42] >> There you go. [22:45] I believe the owners of this property [22:47] produce manufacture these manufacture [22:50] their own cigars. Right. [22:52] >> Is that there's No, I'm not sure. [22:54] >> I think so. Yeah. Yeah. [22:59] Um, I'm not sure. I'm not sure where [23:02] they [23:13] » go. I'm sorry I missed your question [23:16] there. [23:16] >> Do you do you know are they physically [23:19] making cigars? [23:21] >> No, I don't I don't believe software. [23:23] Yeah, just store. Yeah. Uh they're going [23:25] to have a large humidor [23:27] and uh like I said a golf simulator [23:31] and some other simulator I think [23:36] >> more of a [23:40] it's elevated in part because zone [23:44] >> yes [23:44] >> that's why handicap ramp [23:47] >> Yes. Yeah. I was talking to the [23:48] contractor today said yeah to make the [23:50] handicap ramp work I had to do like [23:53] >> three [23:56] loops around [23:59] in sense of like how many stories the [24:01] building is [24:03] >> it's only a one-story building but it's [24:06] going to be I think about looking at the [24:08] plans it's about five feet higher than [24:10] the ground level [24:11] >> yeah similar [24:18] » They uh for a commercial or [24:20] non-habitable building, they have the [24:22] option to flood uh floodproof or [24:26] elevate. They chose to elevate. [24:34] So, it's still a flood zone even though [24:37] there's the trail there [24:40] of engineers [24:42] along [24:45] >> like the flood the floodgates and the [24:47] levy despite despite that. Is that what [24:49] you're asking? [24:50] >> Yeah, it's still considered a flood zone [24:51] even though there's all this work that [24:52] was done. [24:54] I'm sorry. [24:57] Uh there was a the Armor Corps of [24:59] Engineers has done a ton of work along [25:00] the Lacuana River with the with the [25:03] heritage trail and so that's like on [25:05] that side of the river there's a very [25:08] high flood wall on the trail. [25:10] >> Yeah. Yeah, there is. But it it's still [25:12] uh [25:13] >> it's still a flood zone and that that [25:15] portion of the levy hasn't been fully [25:18] certified by FEMA yet. [25:20] >> Oh, okay. [25:23] All right. [25:28] Other questions about the [25:30] project? [25:32] All right. If not, then uh we will [25:34] entertain a motion to accept the plans [25:36] for review. [25:39] » So moved. [25:41] >> Have a second. [25:43] >> Thank you. Um all in favor or before [25:46] that any further questions? [25:50] Not all in favor say I. [25:53] >> I. Any opposed? [25:56] All right. Plans are accepted for [25:57] review. [26:00] Uh those are all the plans that we had. [26:03] Um I don't have any I don't think I have [26:06] anything for general commission [26:08] business. Did you have anything, Don? [26:12] Okay. Um anything uh from the rest of [26:15] the planning commission? [26:21] All right. [26:23] Go ahead. Go ahead. [26:30] » Um, yeah. Any uh any follow up on that, [26:33] Don? I think the last um last we had [26:36] talked about that. I know we arrived at [26:42] » um Gus asked about the uh complete [26:44] streets policy. [26:48] » So, I think we have a we have a policy [26:50] that we were happy with. I think um I [26:52] think you were going to follow up to [26:54] kind of see what the next steps in the [26:55] process might might be. [27:14] » Okay. Yeah, I think um yeah, if you [27:16] could get some information about what uh [27:18] you know what the process might look [27:19] like. I don't know if something like [27:20] that would go through the law department [27:22] first and you know how that [27:34] Right. [27:50] » I don't know. [27:58] intern [28:23] also talked about public input. [28:27] council. [28:33] What? Okay. [28:50] Yeah. Uh I'm happy to work with with Don [28:53] in between uh between now and our next [28:56] meeting we can yeah get a little more [28:58] information about what the you know what [29:00] kind of the the appropriate process [29:03] would be for all of this. Um you know [29:05] any law department reviews, community [29:08] engagement um up to and including you [29:11] know getting legislation to city council [29:12] and how that all would work out. [29:16] I think this new new territory for our [29:18] planning commission since uh at least as [29:20] long as I've been on the planning [29:21] commission. Uh we we haven't proposed [29:23] any sort of uh legislation policies [29:27] before. So [29:28] >> why I want [29:33] y [29:39] agreed. Thanks for bringing that up. [29:42] Appreciate it. [29:44] All right. Anything else? [29:48] If not, we will entertain a motion to [29:50] adjurnn. [29:54] So, [29:56] >> thanks. We have a second. [29:59] >> All in favor say I. [30:01] >> I. Thank you very much.