Approximately 100 people attended the North Whitehall planning commission meeting to learn about plans for the proposed senior living community at Strawberry Acres.

Attorney Richard Somach, representing the developer (5077 Overlook Road LLC), presented planners with details of the proposal.

The property is located in the AR Zoning District, where this type of development is allowed under certain conditions.

The developer proposed three options for the property: 108 units in three buildings, 108 units in four buildings or 84 single units.

The review letter from the planning commission's engineer, Keystone Engineering, was discussed with the developer in agreement with the items in the letter.

Township Engineer Steven Gitsch said the developer could meet ordinance requirements for the proposed roads with the installation of retaining walls.

Upgrades to the intersection of Clearview and Overlook roads must be done.

The development would need public water and sewer.

Discussion occurred on whether a sewage treatment plant would be constructed or an on-lot sewage system would be installed.

Sewage Enforcement Officer Scott Bieber said testing was done and the site has sufficient area for an on-lot sewage system and a replacement area.

Several design flaws were noted in the proposal. These included maximum building height would be exceeded, not enough parking spaces proposed, density for the project is exceeded plus other items.

As commissioners deemed too much information was lacking, Planner Jeff Johnson made a motion to table all the plans with a second by Leonard Nuss.

This was unanimously approved.

If the development is to proceed, an application must be filed with the zoning hearing board to obtain the necessary relief on the regulations in the zoning ordinance.

After the vote, the meeting was opened to the audience for comment.

Steven Piotrowski objected to the sewage treatment plant proposal and the installation of the retaining walls proposed by the developer.

Heather Skorinko said there would be an increase in traffic in the area, which would cause more traffic problems.

She said a traffic study should be done.

Skorinko also wondered about the possible devaluation of the neighboring properties, if this development occurs.

She asked whether neighboring properties would be required to connect to a sewage treatment plant if one were installed.

Dan Nemeth pointed out the developer only had 22.67 acres for his project. The ordinance requires 25 acres.

The developer had proposed adding some acreage across the street to make the total 25 acres.

Nemeth said the retaining walls could create a safety hazard.

He also objected to the height of the structures claiming local fire companies might not be able to cope with fires in such tall structures.

Nemeth asked what would become of the rest of Strawberry Acres.

Kathryn Wood of Donna Drive said the sewer treatment plant would be in her back yard.

She was not opposed to single family residences but did not favor the senior living condos proposed.

Lorinne Bodner wondered whether the well water in the area would be safe to drink with this development being constructed.

She questioned the stormwater system, saying the intersection at Route 145 and Clearview Road floods under current conditions.

She asked what would happen with the increase in development.

Bill Moyer said the plan should be developed under the rules and regulations in place and, if the developer would not do it according to the ordinance, the plan should be denied.

Bob Allen questioned Bieber on the testing for on-lot sewage.

Bob Loomis expressed concerns the township would have another sewage treatment plant, which could cause more problems in the future.

Richard Semmel of Clearview Road was concerned about the increased traffic.

He said improvements should be done on Clearview Road.

Nancy Gramec wondered if she could view the plans at the meeting if she couldn't get to the township office. She is also concerned about the traffic and was concerned about access by service vehicles.