Conditional okay for Rock Hill Estates land use - Some 2,000 new road trips seen daily for the area

DINGMAN — Developers of Rock Hill Estates, a proposed 199-lot subdivision on state Route 739, opposite Lake Adventure, were before the supervisors Tuesday seeking approval for the intended use of the former 400+ acre boy scout camp. Rock Hill Estates was represented by Hawley attorney, Leatrice Anderson and Director of Engineering, Kristy Coulter of Baucher & James, Inc. of Stroudsburg. In question was whether a traffic study was conducted in order to determine the number of trips expected per day. Other concerns were whether community facilities and amenities, a school bus shelter, sewage treatment, a maintenance facility, beach and boating area as well as the proposed security guard house would meet township requirements. “This public hearing is not about approval of any final plans but rather approval of the intended use of the land as a subdivision,” said Town Solicitor John Klemeyer. “Our independent traffic study firm has determined that there will be an expected 1,967 vehicle trips per day,” said Coulter. The study is currently being reviewed by Penn DOT (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation). Anderson posed some generic questions to Coulter to help frame details of the proposed facilities to be built in the subdivision. Coulter indicated on a map of the subdivision the location of the facilities and indicated they all would be constructed in accordance with township building construction ordinances. Coulter faced a lengthy question-answer session as the supervisors and Klemeyer interjected their own questions and concerns about the various planned facilities. It continued for almost an hour. There were concerns from both sides about locations and construction requirements. Coulter was concerned that the required height of the school bus shelter would only be eight feet high based on town ordinance. “If it is only this height it might cause someone getting onto one of the school busses to bang their head into the top of the shelter. This might happen if the bus was close to the structure and an adult was getting on to the bus,” said Coulter. Kleymeyer said he was pleased that this was part of the record and this would be something the township engineer would take a look at when the time was appropriate. Sewage Enforcement Officer Chris Wood was concerned that the proposed bus shelter would only be 15 feet by 10 feet. He asked how a structure of this dimension could possibly hold the number of school age children if it were raining and they all wanted to be protected. Anderson told the supervisors that it hadn’t been determined yet whether the subdivision would be marketed to young families or to the over-55 market. “If we decide to market to young families we may find it necessary to either enlarge the bus shelter or add an additional one,” said Anderson. The supervisors conditionally approved the use application, based on Rock Hill Estates meeting several recommendations made by the supervisors, and other township officials. Conditions include maps showing the appropriate number of building lots, a construction phase plan, Penn DOT highway occupancy permits, the construction plans of the maintenance yard salt shed to prevent infiltration of runoff into any water source, access to the sewage treatment plant for township inspections, access to the community by township emergency services or employees on official business at all times.