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Chair Halkiotis asked about the "Children at Play" signs that were in question by DOT and <br />Craig Benedict said that they would work with DOT to get the signs that are necessary. <br />VOTE: 4 - 1(Commissioner Brown) <br />b. High Rock Village Subdivision -Preliminary Plan <br />The Board considered a preliminary plan for the proposed High Rock Village subdivision. <br />Planning Director Craig Benedict said that this project is within the Back Creek Watershed <br />in Cedar Grove Township. It is a 71-acre parcel with 41 single-family lots. It is a flexible development <br />plan that provides 33% open space. He talked about the process and the questions and concerns of <br />the Planning Board and Planning staff which have been addressed. One of the concerns of the staff <br />was that the back of the house would face the roadway. There will be a buffer planted that is above <br />the code. The staff has worked with the developer to come up with a plan that is an improvement <br />from the original plan. <br />Alois Callemyn, a local surveyor, was representing the developer of High Rack Village. He <br />said that during the design process, they were trying to touch on a lot of key issues: 1} limiting access <br />of the lots to existing roads; 2} having access to the open space; and 3) keeping the community <br />comfortable with the development. He gave an overview of the plan. <br />Commissioner Gordon made reference to page 14 and the emphasis on the soils in the <br />project. Alois Callemyn said that the site has places where the soil is very well suited for single-family <br />dwelling. Some areas of the site are not best suited for dwellings and they have tried to avoid those <br />areas. <br />Commissioner Jacobs mentioned that there would be a homeowners association. He feels <br />that when there is a wetland, same people will not like the smell and will think of it as usable land that <br />is going to waste. He asked what was in the homeowners association that is going to assure that this <br />is maintained. <br />Alois Callemyn said that the pooling of water is only after it rains and not at all times. He <br />said that it was not a swampy area. He said that there would be language an what can and cannot be <br />done in buffers and in removing trees. The elimination of clearing is the number one issue in his <br />opinion. <br />Geoffrey Gledhill said that these agreements include with them declarations that cover <br />maintenance of the open space and they can be as detailed as necessary. He suggested adding to <br />the resolution of approval that, "the wetlands areas be maintained as wetlands." <br />Commissioner Gordon made reference to the previous subdivision and asked why there is <br />not dedication of open space to the homeowners association in this development. Craig Benedict <br />said that the language could be added to the final plat to preserve the open space. In this case, there <br />is payment-in-lieu. <br />Chair Halkiotis made reference to the minutes of the Planning Board deliberations where <br />Mr. Edwards raised some concerns about children accidentally wandering onto his property where he <br />has some large bulls. He asked if there would be any other cautions than fences. <br />Alois Callemyn said that they have met with Mr. Edwards and that there was an agreement <br />that if he maintained his fence and landscaping, they would equal or better with fencing and <br />landscaping to give it a double barrier. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked for a short analysis of the open space from ERCD and what <br />kind of access would be provided to the open space area in future agenda abstracts. <br />A motion was made by Chair Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to approve the <br />preliminary plan for High Rock Village in accordance with the Resolution of Approval, which is <br />incorporated herein by reference. This includes the addition of language about wetlands and the <br />preservation of open space. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />c. Request for Assessment of Civil Penalties -Jeffrey and Sharon Brooks Zoning <br />Violation The Board considered authorizing the assessment of civil penalties for a continuing <br />zoning violation on property zoned R-1, Rural Residential. <br />