Planning staff recommends waiver for Schneider Avenue equipment parking; commission forwards recommendation

The West Goshen Planning Commission on July 14 recommended that supervisors consider a waiver of land development for a Schneider Avenue site the applicant proposes to convert to a construction equipment parking and storage area, provided several conditions are met.

Staff summarized the application as proposing no buildings, underground stormwater infiltration, a small retaining wall and minimal site lighting. A staff reviewer described the stormwater plan as an infiltration bed with three inlets and water-pump filters to prevent sediment and debris from entering the groundwater recharge area.

"We believe that the planning commission should consider recommending a waiver of land development for this project subject to certain conditions," a staff member said, noting staff attached comments from an initial engineering review.

Commissioners pressed about maintenance oversight and tree replacement. Staff said the applicant will need a recorded stormwater best-management-practices agreement that spells out inspection schedules and maintenance responsibilities and that the plan includes a tree-survey and tree-replacement plan. The presentation noted the applicant would plant a mix of shade, evergreen and flowering trees as mitigation.

After discussion the commission voted to recommend the waiver to the board of supervisors; staff said the project will be presented to the board on Aug. 4. The motion passed in committee (vote recorded in the meeting as 8 in favor, 1 opposed).