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

The Chairperson called the meeting to order at 9:40 a.m. Minutes from the May 4, 1998 meeting were approved.

ADMINISTRATIVE:

Zoe Perkins mentioned the Public Hearings on the Zoning Ordinance begin tonight at the Ludwigs Corner Fire Hall from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Board of Supervisors will receive public comments and respond to the comments at a later meeting. Planning Commission members, EAC members, Land Planning Consultant Randall Arendt, Township Engineer Craig Kologie, Traffic Planner Susan Walters and Planning Counsel Fronefield Crawford will attend the hearings. Subsequent hearing dates are scheduled for June 15 and 29, if needed.

MAIL:

• Chester County Health Department - Southeast PA Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program is scheduled for July 11, 1998 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Owen J. Roberts High School. Fifteen volunteers are needed at each site location for internal traffic control, to survey participants, and help maintain general order. Since West Vincent Township is a participating municipality in the program, there will be no charge to Township residents bringing HHW to the collection event.
• A copy of "Municipal Groundwater Supply Regulation" prepared for the Groundwater Management Conference held in May was received.
• DEP - The former owner of Cullens Country Cupboard 2 has been requested to hire a professional environmental consultant to characterize the extent of groundwater contamination on the site and develop a remedial action plan no later than September 4, 1998.
• DEP - acknowledgment of the Forest Glen permit transfer.
• Chester County Conservation District - requesting revisions to the Kochensky Pond Construction Plan (Bartlett Lane).
• Chester County Conservation District - requesting compliance with stabilization requirements on the Ludwigs Village site; the project is in a specially protected Exceptional Value watershed.
• Fronefield Crawford - a response to letter from Steve DiFrancesco requesting an opinion regarding the status of the twelve lot subdivision known as "Old Ridge Farm". Since the plan was not recorded, the applicant is entitled to resubmit a final plan application, if there are no "adverse" ordinance amendments to the plan. If there have been amendments to the Zoning and/or Subdivision Ordinances and the existing plans are non-conforming, then the applicant may resubmit a preliminary plan for subdivision adhering to ordinance requirements or submit a request that the Board extend the period of vested rights.

REPORTS:

• St. Stephens Greene: The slopes of Basin 2 are less than the approved design and recommended standards and trees left in the basin berm during construction have hindered compaction. The Developer's Engineer will be submitting a detailed plan for making the necessary corrective actions by Friday, June 5, 1998.
• Wetherill Estates: Philadelphia Suburban Water Company has been authorized by the Board of Supervisors to begin the necessary paperwork regarding the possible sale of the Wetherill Estates and St. Stephens Greene water systems. This authorization in no way will commit the Board to follow through with the sale of these systems; discussions are on-going regarding managerial role versus ownership.
• Horseshoe Farms: The Township has received inquiries from residents regarding eight foot privacy fences.
• Township Park: The Township Engineer is verifying with Columbia Gas the location and depth of each main where they cross the proposed gravel road. The Chester County Parks and Recreation Department has reviewed the Township Park bid documents and plans with the following recommendations: relocation of the proposed Tot Lot and Pavilion; additional parking, the plan indicates 43 parking spaces; and consideration for handicapped accessibility, including the designation of handicapped parking spaces. The Township Engineer will revise the bid specifications.
• Trails: The Trails Subcommittee is continuing their work on the Township Trails Map/Narrative (e.g. location and mileage of proposed Township loops, and locating public trails, dirt roads, and subdivision easements).

The possible purchase of the Evans farm was discussed. The EAC urges the Board of Supervisors to complete a Phase I Environmental Study on the property since the original evaluation is ten years old.

A motion was made by Jan Beale, seconded by Craig Hannafin, to recommend adoption of the West Vincent Township Zoning Ordinance and West Vincent Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance to the Board of Supervisors with the following suggested revisions:

1. Article 19 - Design Standards: add a reference to SDL Ordinance Section 616 and 702 J. "Trails"
2. Section 2223 Timber Harvesting/Logging, Page 329-330 - add...any existing trails, creeks, stream beds may not be blocked, disturbed or destroyed due to clear-cutting activities.
3. Section 2220 Standards for Raising Animals, Page 327 - minimum lot size of two (2 acres for each horse - minimum lot size suggested change ....two (2) acres for the first horse and one (1) acre for each additional horse.
4. Subdivision Ordinance, page 95 - second b. change to c. - "pervious" change to porous.
5. Define "village".

The application for the Chester County Heritage Park and Open Space Municipal Grant to acquire a two acre lot in Upper Uwchlan Township adjacent to the park was submitted; grants will be awarded in the fall.

Application has been made for tax exemption status designation and incorporation of the West Vincent Land Trust Inc.; the paperwork will be finalized in six months to one year.

As a result of the ongoing problems at the Helen Parke property, the Township has been requested by Chester County Health Department to oversee the temporary pump and haul system and the corrected/repaired permanent stream discharge system. Fronefield Crawford is proceeding with a Sewage Holding Facilities Agreement; a meeting with DEP, Mrs. Parke, and Township consultants has been scheduled for June 9, 1998.

The Zoning Hearing Board will meet June 17, 1998 at 7:30 p.m. to consider the application of Michael Wozniak (Mulch Man, Pottstown Pike) requesting relief in order to place storage bins in the front and side yard set back area and display retail products within the front yard set back area. Mr. Wozniak is still obligated to comply with the conditions set forth in the Conditional Use Hearing decision; he has received a letter from the Zoning Officer regarding violations present on the property and steps to follow for compliance.

The Zoning Hearing Board will also consider the application of Nextel Communications for the construction of a 180-foot high monopole tower and equipment shelter located at 1013 Pottstown Pike (Eagle Cycle/Eagle Machinery property). The application is coupled with a challenge to the validity of the Zoning Ordinance.

The Board of Supervisors has rendered a decision regarding the application of Michael and Janet Polay for a curative amendment to the Township Zoning Ordinance concerning the collection and removal of spring water for commercial purposes. The Township Ordinance was sustained and the curative dismissed. An appeal is expected.

In accordance with a Zoning Hearing Board approval granting a variance for the minimum lot area, a subdivision plan was submitted by Ellie Brown. The plan shows 5.1201 acres located on Pottstown Pike (Flowing Springs Inn) divided into two lots; Lot 1, 2.403 acres, shows an existing two story wood barn, gravel drive, and proposed dwelling and Lot 2, 2.717 acres, shows the existing restaurant and parking area. On-lot sewer and water are proposed. The lots are restricted against further subdivision. The applicant is requesting a waiver of Section 402.E.2 requiring stormwater management measures due to a negligible increase in runoff. The EAC recommends denial of the waiver due to the slopes on the property.

The Board of Supervisors will be requested to send a letter to the trash haulers in the Township due to several complaints regarding speeding.

Matthews Run final plan has been submitted; reviews of the plan are incomplete.

The EAC reviewed the sketch alternate plan submitted by the Hankin Group for the 298 acre tract located near the intersection of Routes 100 and 401. The plan shows 96,700 square feet commercial use - including a 35,000 sq. ft. supermarket - 140,000 square feet office area, 74% impervious cover in the commercial/office area, and 307 residential units (7200 sq. ft. lots). Information regarding compliance with Township Ordinances will be provided at the June 8 Board of Supervisors meeting. EAC issues and concerns include:

• 74% is too much impervious cover
• Residential area is too dense
• How does this sketch plan compare with the proposed Zoning Ordinance?
• The EAC commends the developer on the preservation of the farmstead, elimination of development on the north side of Westover Lane, and the consideration of an internal trail system.
• Suggests the developer consider a By Pass/Boulevard "fly-over" component for pedestrian use to access the office and commercial areas in addition to crosswalks.
• Fellowship Road and Westover Lane are designated in the Comprehensive Plan as scenic roadways, scenic vistas and historic sites.
• The EAC requests plans for the reconfiguration of the intersection of Westover Lane and Fellowship Road.
• Concerns regarding the impact of the spray irrigation system on the continued agricultural use on the farmstead.
• Suggests the developer consider pedestrian walkways, trails, and park.
• The conceptual design of this plan is preferred over the preliminary "by right" plan design.
• The EAC recommends a subsurface recharge system; increased stormwater may increase the likelihood of flooding.
• Suggests the developer consider a unified development plan with the Zarichniak property.
• Concerns regarding the potential impact on the school district

The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m. The next meeting will be held Monday, July 6, 1998 at 9:30 a.m. Please call the Chairperson at 469-9858 if unable to attend.