Planning Commission
Meeting Minutes

Date: July 23, 2008

Attendees: Bob Bartmann, Mark Anthony French, Marian Schaner

Guests: Craig Totaro

Agenda/Discussion Item or Issue	Action(s) Taken	Responsible Person(s)	Due Date
Tree Plan Review	1. Craig Totaro, Borough Manager is drafting a letter to property owners regarding the placement of a tree(s) on their property. Discussion occurred around allowing owners an “opt-out” provision should they not want a tree planted near their business. 2. Group recommended that a formal maintenance agreement be developed specifying the responsibilities of the borough and the property owners vis-à-vis care of the trees. 3. There will be only enough trees available this year to complete half of the plan. Options discussed were: follow plan between Lansdowne Avenue to Rigby and complete next year OR allocate the available trees the length of Baltimore Avenue and eliminate side street plantings for now. 4. Discussion around how the implementation of the Tree Plan can be related to other efforts (HARB, LEDC, Borough Council, etc.) to revitalize the Baltimore Avenue corridor. Announcement of the Tree project should be part of a coordinated, unified message to property owners and others in the Borough about the revitalization of downtown Lansdowne.	Planning Commission, Craig Totaro	8/27/08
Inventory of Commission Members Borough Documents	Members in attendance completed inventory forms to facilitate distribution of documents to all Commission Members.	M. Schaner and C. Totaro
New Member Discussion	Marcy Allen, owner of The Regency Café has been recruited to replace Suzanne McElroy who tendered her resignation from the Commission this summer. Marcy will come on board once her appointment has been made by Borough Council.	Informational
Open Discussion	Group talked about projects the Commission can take on (such as the Tree Plan) when there is little development occurring in Lansdowne. Other ideas included: Develop a pedestrian walkway between public lots and train station – create an “orange carpet” to the train station Designate “smart car” free parking zones in the best spots – sponsored by Borough business	TBD

Planning Commission Meets: 4th Wednesday of every month; 7pm in Borough Hall