ATTENDING: Chairperson Pam Brown, Members Mike Burnley and Craig Hannafin; Township Manager Allen Heist; Board liaison Zoe Perkins; Planning Commission liaison Jim Wendelgass; and Audience Member Jan Beale.

The Chairperson called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. Minutes from the February 2, 1998 meeting were approved.

ADMINISTRATIVE:

Jim Wendelgass reported the Planning Commission accepted the EAC's TDR Program recommendations. Also, the West Vincent Township Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance as drafted, were recommended to the Board of Supervisors at their February 19, 1998 meeting. The Planning Commission is meeting on a weekly basis to continue their review of the documents to identify necessary changes to achieve documents that are consistent. Public Hearings on the final drafts are tentatively scheduled for April, 1998.

MAIL:

DEP - request for documentation of leak detection performance at Cullens Country Cupboard 2

DEP - denying Helen Parke's NPDES permit renewal application

Letter to Chester County Parks & Recreation Department regarding the Township's interest in the possible conveyance of Chester County's three open space parcels along French Creek to West Vincent Township.

Upper Uwchlan Township - request to meet to discuss potential sites for construction of a "Park & Ride" along Route 100

Chester County Water Resources Authority - the development of a county-wide Water Resources Management Plan to address water supply, resource preservation, and other water use, disposal, and resource management issues. The Board of Supervisors supports the CCWRA application for a planning grant to develop and implement the Plan.

Proposed Legislation for a regional land use plan

LTL Consultants regarding Horseshoe Farm Subdivision Lot 8 request to change the design of the on-lot stormwater detention basin to an underground system

General Permit for Irma Hemighaus to relocate driveway

James A. Dodson, buyer of standing timber, has sent notices to property owners of 8+ acres in the Township of his tree harvesting service - clear cut, high grade harvesting of Ash and Oak trees.

Chester County Health Department - Review of Morrison Huston's plans for an apartment conversion showed in order to proceed with the proposal a separate septic system would be required to serve the converted house.

Copies of the Federation of Northern Chester County Communities Sustainable Watershed Management Program draft "Stormwater Management Ordinance" dated February, 1998, were received. In reviewing the document, it was noted none of the previously suggested changes or comments from the Township were incorporated into the draft. A memorandum will be sent to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation that a letter be written supporting the general approach and value of the Stormwater Management Ordinance but stating the Township wants the opportunity to provide input into the preparation of the ordinance. The members agreed the intent of the document is good, but as currently drafted, the Township will have difficulty incorporating the model ordinance into Township ordinances.

Chester County 2020 - managing growth, preserving open space, and building livable communities in Chester County - is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, 1998, 4-8 p.m. at the Downingtown High School.

REPORTS:

St. Stevens Greene: Reports have been received on a regular basis monitoring the Water and Sewer plant operation. Manager Heist will look into placing signs in the open space area to notify residents the area has a well field and is the source of a community water system.

Matthews Meadows: Corrected copies of the community system discharge monitoring reports for June 1996 to June 1997 will be forwarded to DEP, as requested.

Wetherill Estates Water System: The agreement for Philadelphia Suburban Water Company to lease the water system has been reviewed by the Township Engineer and Planning Solicitor; revisions have been submitted to PSWC.

Towamencin Township is conducting a survey of Environmental Advisory Councils to compile a master list of current EAC projects. The top five West Vincent Township EAC agenda items are:

1. Open Space Preservation - the impact of density
2. Water Quality and Water Quantity
   - Stormwater Management
   - Wastewater
   - Well Ordinance
   
3. Stream Protection
4. Sewage Disposal
5. Recreation/Trails

Chairperson Brown reported that 33 municipalities, including West Vincent Township, have agreed to participate in a Regional Household Hazardous Waste, Education, Collection and Management Program. The County Commissioners have been requested to fund a portion of the program.

Township Park: Castle Valley Consultants, Township Engineers, are completing revised bid specifications for excavation work projected to begin in the Spring.

Trails:

The Trails Subcommittee is continuing their work on the Township Trails Map/Narrative.

Miller Trail: Concerns were expressed regarding the dangerous situation existing at the Miller Trail. The trail easement is now approximately four feet wide with string, metal posts and piles of brush aligning the trail; the obstacles could negate protection under the Private Lands and Public Recreation Act. A memorandum will be sent to the Board requesting the Township's involvement in marking the Trail in a safe manner.

Old Business:

A committee is exploring and applying for tax exemption status to provide for a Land Trust organization that would carry out the conservation and preservation activities and policies of the Township.

A decision was received from Judge Platt on the Michael and Janet Polay oral arguments; the matter, whether the West Vincent Township Zoning Ordinance is exclusionary, has been deferred to the Board of Supervisors for hearing(s) within 45 days.

The PA Historic Preservation Board will meet on March 10, 1998 for their review and discussion of the West Vincent Highlands Historic District nomination. While the Board of Supervisors supports the Historic District nomination, it also supports the request from property owners Robert Kling, Vincent Kling, Harry Emery, and Kenneth Emery to be excluded from the District. Planning Counsel, Fronefield Crawford has been requested to represent the Township at the March 10, 1998 meeting.

The Township is pursuing State funding for the maintenance of dirt and gravel roads. It was noted the millings placed on Jaine Lane contained huge chunks of asphalt and some metal bolts resulting in three flat tires. A finer recycled asphalt material is currently being used on dirt roads.

Subdivisions:

DEP will be holding a fact finding hearing on March 17, 1998 at 1:30 p.m. at the Government Services Center in regard to the Matthews Run Subdivision storm water management.

Review comments were received from Chester County Planning Commission regarding the Robinson Sketch Plan.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m. The next meeting will be held Monday, April 6, 1998 at 9:30 a.m. Please call the Chairperson at 469-9858 if unable to attend.