Note: The following is not a verbatim transcript of the Zoning Hearing Board meeting; it is simply one person’s summary of the major points made by those involved in the hearing process.  For that reason, quotation marks are not used unless a direct quote was recorded.  For information about obtaining an official ZHB transcript, contact the New Hanover Township office.

This session began with the cross-examination of Mark A. Roth of McMahon Associates. Mr. Roth is a transportation planning specialist and represents the township as traffic engineer.  Mr. Stephen Harris began his cross-examination of Mr. Roth 

Harris asked questions of Roth concerning Roth's trip generation figures.  Roth reiterated that his firm performed an independent study at a similar quarry site and did not rely on Mr. John Silvi's estimates of expected truck traffic. Roth mentioned that all of the comparative traffic studies done are based on the area involved. For example, he said, when they study high industrial, light industrial, retail, or commercial sites, they do so based on total area . Roth also said that total trip generation should have been done by GRI.  

Harris worked to try and get Roth to say that there were errors in Roth's method.  Roth tried to reiterate that the peak hours studied by GRI were different and incorrect. Harris also said that township ordinances do not call for a traffic study on HI or LI.

Harris also tried to show that Roth's team did not try to determine if the Corson Quarry, in Whitemarsh Township, Montgomery County (the one studied by Roth's team) was similar in area, quantity of rock extracted per year, and type of onsite facilities.

After Harris had finished Mr. Loren Szczesny, associate of Bob Brant, New Hanover Township solicitor completed redirect by providing Roth to state that township ordinances do require traffic studies of cases that are "special exceptions," as is this case.

Mr. Roth was excused as a witness.

Mr. Loren Szczesny presented the township's next witness, Mr. Thomas J. Comitta, President of Thomas J. Comitta Associates, Inc., a township planner and landscape architect.  Comitta explained that planning involved writing zoning code and ordinances and writing comprehensive plans. He also explained that Land Planning consists of landscape plans and site plans. He also said that he has extensive background in both of these areas.  He was accepted as an expert witness in planning, zoning, and land planning.

Szczesny had Comitta explain that he has experience in reviewing quarry expansions, for example, Middleton Township and the Warner Quarry. Comitta also explained that he has experience reviewing plans for berms and screening, as well as lighting, landscape, road plans, and set-backs.  

Comitta said that he reviewed Ken Amey's (Silvi paid land planner) testimony and exhibits. Comitta's review said that the site is undeveloped surrounded by various land uses. Comitta also looked at the one mile radius that Amey used as his study area.  Comitta said that within that 1 mile circle there are:

• 181 homes (80% of the area)

• 28 undeveloped properties (15%)

• 8 commercial properties

• 4 industrial properties

• 4 schools and churches

• 9 historic sites (Amey said there were only 3 historic sites)

• 2 farmland properties

Comitta said that Amey said the land was "rural." Comitta said that portions were indeed rural, but that there is considerable residential, industrial, and commercial uses.

The final comments from Comitta were rather passionate.  He spoke of the dust, noise, traffic and perhaps wells that will impact the quality of life for the 181 properties.  He refuted the notion of a rural area and preferred instead that of a growing suburb.

See Also:
Summary of the previous meeting (June 2, 2003)