ATTENDING: Chairperson Pam Brown, Members Mike Burnley and Ginny Wright; Township Manager Allen Heist; and Board liaison Zoe Perkins.

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

ADMINISTRATIVE:

There currently exists one vacancy on the EAC created by Ed Lodge's resignation. Janis Beale has been attending meetings and has expressed interest in the position. Members unanimously recommended to the Board of Supervisors the appointment of Janis Beale to fill the vacancy; her term will expire December 2000.

Zoe Perkins reported on the Board of Supervisors recent activities. A public hearing was held Tuesday, March 31, 1998 to hear testimony on the validity challenge and curative amendment application filed by Michael and Janet Polay. The applicants allege the Township Zoning Ordinance is invalid because it is exclusionary with respect to the collection and removal of spring water for commercial purposes. The Board will render their decision by May 14, 1998 - date and time will be advertised. A decision on the Evans property, as well as the subdivision driveway issue, is scheduled for the April 13 Board meeting. A letter was sent to John Hoekstra, Green Valleys Association regarding the Draft Stormwater Ordinance. The Planning Commission, EAC, and Board of Supervisors have all concluded that the sample ordinance is still too lengthy, cumbersome, and difficult to implement. Also, none of the previous comments appear to have been incorporated into the revised draft. A copy of the Township Engineer's review letter was enclosed.

MAIL:

Chester County 2020 - will be held Wednesday, April 29, 1998, 3:30 p.m. at the Downingtown Senior High School. Pam Brown and Craig Hannafin are planning to attend.

Chester County Heritage Park and Open Space Municipal Grant Program - Round X Grants - Information packet was received; the deadline for submitting applications is Monday, May 18, 1998.

Towamencin Township - The state-wide "Environmental Advisory Council Top Five Agenda Items" survey results were received; 17 Townships responded.

John Logue, 5 Houndstooth Circle, was sent a Notice of Violation by the Zoning Officer due to the severe erosion and sediment control problem existing on his property as a result of construction activities. The Chester County Conservation District is involved.

Chester County Conservation District - A culvert with pipe was installed on the Irma Hemighaus property with limited disturbance at the site.

Manager Heist will follow-up on his letter to Isidore Mineo, 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.

REPORTS:

St. Stephens Greene: Monitoring reports showing compliance have been received on the Water and Sewer Plant operation.

Matthews Meadows: Earthmoving activities were sited in violation by the Chester County Conservation District; the disturbed areas have been properly stabilized.

Wetherill Estates: Three agreement options were received from Philadelphia Suburban Water for review - a straight operating agreement, a lease agreement, and a lease with option to buy or sell. Adjacent property resident, Tom Rice, is considering connecting to the Wetherill water system; he is currently discussing this option with Southdown Properties.

Forest Glen has been purchased by Woodridge Construction, Inc.

Township Park: Revised bid specifications have been received from Castle Valley Consultants, Inc. Phase I, excavation and seeding, is projected to begin in the Spring.

TRAILS:

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

Miller Trail: The ten foot trail easement has been cleared of obstacles and debris.

OLD BUSINESS:

Wheeler Aman expressed his concerns to the Board of Supervisors regarding people using his property as an access to the East Pikeland Township parcel across the creek from his farm. East Pikeland was contacted and there are no plans for an active recreational use on the site and the Township is not encouraging use of the Kimberbrae Trail. EAC Members agreed this is a private matter of trespassing.

Application has been made for tax exemption status designation and incorporation of the West Vincent Land Trust Inc. The organization will carry out the conservation and preservation activities and policies of the Township such as: monitoring easements, educational resource, accepting trails and land, land preservation, and compiling a list of interested sellers/buyers of development rights. A Board consisting of one representative from the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, EAC, French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, Green Valleys Association, and four Township residents has been appointed.

Castle Valley Consultants, Inc., Township Engineers, has reviewed the Stormwater Management Plan for the Wozniak property, 976 Pottstown Pike, and found the plan to be satisfactory.

SUBDIVISIONS:

A preliminary subdivision plan for the Walter and Zaneta Pronsky property, a 8.702 acre tract on St. Matthews Road, showing three residential lots was reviewed. The property has no environmental constraints or trail concerns.

The Fraley Farm preliminary subdivision plan was reviewed and found consistent with the original sketch plan.

Two sketch plans were reviewed: 1) a lot line change on the Ludwigs Corner Fire Company/Griffith property and 2) nine lots on the Fasel property (formerly Pepple), a 34.8 acre farm on Schoolhouse Lane.

The Board granted preliminary approval, with conditions, for the Matthews Run Subdivision Plan; the Beale's driveway easement issue was resolved. Ownership of the trail easement will be addressed on the final plan.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m. The next meeting will be held Monday, May 4, 1998 at 9:30 a.m. Please call the Chairperson at 469-9858 if unable to attend.