The Adams Township Planning Commission met Wednesday evening for the first time since March 4.

With several members and the public joining via teleconference, commission Chairman Martin McKinney said the township should be prepared to move forward with plan approvals as PennDOT begins restarting operations.

“Sitting on all these submissions probably isn't practical,” McKinney said.

Though the planning commission failed to bring preliminary and final approval to a vote, the meeting's most discussed plan was Chinmaya Mission.

The plan for an Indian cultural and religious center along Mars Valencia Road originally came before the township back in 2018, when it secured the planning commission's preliminary and final approval.

The plan came before the commission again Wednesday for approval of new revisions.

“Essentially, what we were trying to do was improve the overall layout,” said Greg Banner, a representative from Key Environmental who spoke about the project.

Banner said the revisions mostly include moving some parking, revising the number of levels for the building and eliminating some drive aisles.

Township engineer Ron Olsen said comments made on the revisions answer most of the questions the township had during the review process.

“Pretty much everything has been addressed,” Olsen said.

Olsen discussed possible stormwater concerns that might arise from an 18-inch pipe installed on a neighboring property north of the Chinmaya site.

Though the pipe isn't part of the Chinmaya plan revisions, Olsen said its proximity to a stream across the back of the Chinmaya property might affect future drainage.

“(It) probably in the future won't be sufficient,” Olsen said.

Olsen suggested the neighbor should be notified in writing by Chinmaya representatives of the pipe's potential for ineffectiveness in cases of 100-year storms.

“If the neighbor is aware of the situation, maybe he won't be upset (later),” Olsen said.

Township solicitor Sean Gallagher said even a written advisement might not stop problems down the road.

“You can be as neighborly as possible,” Gallagher said. “But as soon as water starts running, neighbors will be neighbors.”

Banner argued the pipe isn't the responsibility of those working on Chinmaya Mission. The plan's original approval included a process for stormwater management.

“We've run a complete post-construction stormwater plan,” Banner said. “I don't think we should be held responsible.”

“Technically, he meets all the ordinances,” Olsen pointed out.

Preliminary and final approval was tabled. Banner questioned why the plan didn't receive revision approval when it was approved before.

McKinney was unable to offer an explanation.

“I'm at a loss,” McKinney said.

The plan will be brought before the commission. McKinney advised Banner to look into the suggestions raised by the planning commission.

Members of the commission also tabled approval of the Harlan Simons Industrial/Residential plan along Dobson Road.

Approval of the plan, which includes six buildings and three single-family homes on 34 acres, is extended through June 30.

Also on the agenda

The planning commission also approved:

A subdivision of one lot into two along Myoma Road for the Bergman plan

Consolidating two lots into one 4-acre lot along Lori Lane for the Stewart plan

Consolidating two lots into one 2.8-acre lot along Myoma Road and Route 228 for IMS Systems

A subdivision of one lot into two along Myoma and Crider roads for the Kaclik-Crider and Myoma plan.

Members of the planning commission also reviewed a sketch plan for a Shell gas station, car wash and convenience store on the corner of Scharberry Lane and Aster Way in the Whitetail Meadows plan.

A formal proposal for the gas station is expected to be presented at the June planning commission meeting.