Planning Commission conditionally approves Wheeler Avenue townhomes and laundromat in Scranton

The Scranton Planning Commission on Monday voted to grant a waiver for financial security and to conditionally approve a land development plan for townhomes and a laundromat proposed by CKPA LLC at 10012 Wheeler Ave in Scranton.

Jude Colwell, civil engineer for CKPA LLC, told the commission he prepared the plan and “since last month, I believe we've addressed all of the remaining technical comments.” Colwell said the project team added a landscape plan and a lighting plan and that the Federal Aviation Administration provided clearance for the townhomes because the property lies in the airport overlay zone.

Colwell said PennDOT approval for a highway occupancy permit (HOP) remains outstanding but that the team has addressed PennDOT’s technical comments and is awaiting PennDOT’s final sign-off. He said the sewage planning module has been submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and that the project packet includes signed documents from the city and PA American Water.

The developer requested a waiver from the commission to exempt the project from posting financial security that would normally be required when work is performed in the public right of way. Colwell said the developer intends to keep all improvements outside the public right of way and that the improvements “will be entirely private, not offered for dedication.” Planning staff recommended granting the waiver because nothing proposed will be dedicated to the city.

Commission members also discussed a lot-consolidation issue. Colwell said the site has a single deed but contains three parcels with separate tax IDs; the townhomes would be on two parcels while the laundromat would be on the third. The developer asked that the commission allow building permits for the laundromat to proceed while making issuance of permits for the townhomes contingent on recording a lot consolidation plan.

After discussion, the commission voted to grant the financial-security waiver and then voted for conditional approval of the preliminary/final land development plan. The conditional approval was explicitly made subject to completion of the remaining items identified in the record, including final PennDOT HOP approval, DEP approval of the sewage planning module, and the recording of a lot consolidation plan before permits are issued for the townhomes. Commissioners also asked staff to ensure outstanding landscape and lighting comments — including a requested buffer between the rear of the site and an adjacent water main — are addressed prior to final plan sign-off.

The votes recorded were unanimous among the five commission members present. The commission’s approvals permit the developer to proceed with final engineering requirements and to pursue a building permit for the laundromat while the townhome permits remain contingent on the listed conditions.

The commission moved on to other agenda items after the unanimous votes; staff said the developer will follow up with the outstanding agency approvals and documentation.