SWARTHMORE PLANNING COMMISSION (SPC)
Minutes of February 19, 2003 Meeting
Swarthmore Borough Hall

Members Attending: Steve Laxton, Acting Chair, Nancy Crickman, Ed Heller, Tim Kearney, Tom Shaffer, Leslie Price and Susan Wright

Steve Laxton who was acting as chair in Jay Woolford's absence called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM. Because Jay had a family emergency out of town the minutes for the last meeting were not available for review and approval. It was agreed that Leslie Price would act as secretary for the meeting. The Commission members agreed to the secretary rotation schedule and proposed rules for special circumstances submitted by Susan Wright. The person preparing the minutes should circulate a draft to all Commission members or to Jay Woolford as Chair and Susan Wright as recording secretary.

Also because of Jay's absence the Commission members agreed to postpone the discussion of the draft memorandum regarding the framework for adjustments to zoning for the Inn and the report from the Historic Resources Committee.

The first action of the Commission was consideration of the Conditional Use Application for a Bed and Breakfast at 124 Park Avenue under the newly enacted ordinance number 968 filed by Joanne Cline who was present at the meeting. The applicant detailed the elements of the application and informed the Commission that the inspection by the Department of Licenses and Inspections was scheduled for Monday February 24, 2003. It was noted that the Planning Commission could make a recommendation to Borough Council with a condition that the applicant receive a satisfactory approval from L & I.

In response to various questions from Commission members the applicant agreed that she was willing to abide by the terms of the ordinance, and assured the Commission that the driveway to her parking area was solely on her property and that she could easily park five cars on the property in a location in keeping with the terms of the ordinance. Under the sign ordinance for the Borough the applicant is not permitted to erect a business sign but can identify the property by street number and property name. It was moved, seconded and unanimously approved that the Application be forwarded to Borough Council with the Planning Commission's recommendation for approval.

In an effort to complete the Recording Secretary's records of the minutes of the meeting, Planning Commission members are to send to Steve Laxton any notes they have regarding the April 17, 2002 meeting. Steve will check with Jay Shoemaker to see if a tape was kept for that meeting. Steve will then recreate the minutes for that meeting.

Three booklets prepared for the Center for Local Government Services were made available to any Planning Commission member who wanted them: "The Planning Commission in Pennsylvania", "The Comprehensive Plan in Pennsylvania", and "Zoning" and Tom Shaffer distributed a "Municipal Implementation Tool # 3: Multi-Municipal Planning" pamphlet.

Under Old Business Lisa Aaron clarified that Borough Council is taking the laboring oar regarding proposed ordinances for home occupations, nonconforming uses and accessory structures and looking to the Planning Commission to work on revising the signs ordinance and developing a historic resources recommendation for Borough Council. Jane Billings has asked Susan Wright to share the work Susan did on home occupations with Jane, which Susan will do.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM