ATTENDING:  Chairperson Pam Brown, Members Jan Beale, Mike Burnley, Craig Hannafin, and Ginny Wright; Township Manager Allen Heist; Board liaison Zoe Perkins; Planning Commission liaison Jim Wendelgass; Board Member Karl Brachwitz; and Vaughan I & II Homeowners David and Mary Ann Kusner and Karen Budinger.

The Chairperson called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m.; Karen Budinger, Flowing Springs Road resident, introduced herself to the EAC members. She voiced her concern regarding the EAC's recommendation to the Board of Supervisors to change the Zoning Ordinance minimum lot size requirement of two acres for each horse to two acres for the first horse and one acre for each addition horse. Mrs. Budinger suggested usable area be considered instead of gross land area.

Chairperson Brown informed the EAC Members of the recent submission of a conditional use application to use a twelve acre parcel at 1303 Hilltop Road to operate a commercial stable; this parcel is part of the Vaughan I Subdivision. The applicants, Keith S. Taylor and Donna C. Murphy, "intend to operate a low-key facility with horses in training ... to give lessons and clinics on the property, which will be completely controlled and non-intrusive to the community". They also plan to add a riding ring with lighting.

Mary Ann Kusner noted the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to horses does not consider specific conditions of the land, for instance excluding building footprint, wetlands, slope areas, wooded areas, and impervious cover as safe and usable land. Concerns relating to the proposed commercial stable operation in a residential district include: increased erosion, run off, traffic, and noise levels; environmental concern issues, the potential harder use of the land for a commercial operation than a residential use, and added responsibility for land maintenance. Manager Heist advised the zoning for commercial stables has remained the same and the EAC recommendation to change the minimum lot requirement is for residential use; also, the definition of pasture may be clarified in the ordinance update. David Kusner questioned if any "policing" methods are in place to monitor current deed restrictions on the Vaughan Subdivision or any future conditions placed on the twelve acre parcel as a result of the conditional use. He also stated if the proposed commercial stable opens, the Vaughan Homeowners would cease all horse trespassing on their properties.

The EAC supports properly conducted commercial stable use and recommends the Vaughan I & II Homeowners group meet with Keith Taylor and Donna Murphy to voice their questions and concerns. The EAC encouraged the Homeowners group to keep the EAC apprised of the proposed use and requested the opportunity to further discuss the trail issue.

MAIL:

• Philadelphia Suburban Water Company submitted their 1997 Water Quality Report.
• Chester County Health Department Regional Household Hazardous Waste Programreported 28,712 pounds of waste was collected at the Owen J. Roberts High School collection site. Future events will be held at the New Garden Township building on September 12, 1998 and the Government Services Center on October 10, 1998.
• DEP correspondence to the former owner of Cullens County Cupboard 2 and Exxon Company requesting well survey data to assist in the effort to determine the source for the gasoline contamination discovered at neighboring properties. Also, a letter informing the Township that the Environmental Quality Board approved regulatory amendments that changed the designated uses of certain water bodies in the municipality; the Birch Run Basin and portions of the French Creek Basin are designated Exceptional Value Waters.
• Sustainable Watershed Management, Phase II Implementation - The Northern Federation is currently examining Water Supply and the potential impact of land use regulations on surface and ground water quality and availability. Phase I, Stormwater Management, has been completed.

REPORTS:

• St. Stephens Greene: An agreement has been signed with Morgan Brothers to repair Basin No. 2. The water and sewer budgets will be reviewed the end of September. Both systems are operating satisfactorily.
• Township Park: Bids were received for Phase I, grading and seeding of soccer field and baseball field and for Phase II, parking lots, access road, paved play area and trails. The bids will be reviewed by the Township Engineer and Chester County Parks & Recreation prior to awarding, which is scheduled for September 14, 1998.
• Trails:
  • The Matthews Run Subdivision Plan shows individual lot ownership of the trails; discussions are taking place regarding the conveyance of the trails to the Township.
  • Miller Trail: It was noted, the string and post marking the trail easement has been relocated.

OLD BUSINESS:

• The EAC, Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors will hold a joint work session tonight at 7:30 p.m. to review the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance public hearing comments. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, 1998 at 7:30 p.m.
• A Zoning Hearing continuance is scheduled for September 21, 1998 at 7:30 p.m. to consider the application of Nextel Communications for construction of a 180' monopole tower; the application was coupled with a challenge to the validity of the Zoning Ordinance.
• Application has been made for tax exemption status designation and incorporation of the West Vincent Land Trust, Inc.; the application should be processed by the end of October.
• Evans Mill Environmental, Inc. has advised DEP that Helen W. Parke has decided to continue to operate a holding tank rather than upgrade and operate the existing stream discharge facility. Operating a holding tank on a permanent basis will require extending the Operations and Maintenance Agreement and updating the corresponding escrow account with the Township and amending the current Chester County Health Department Holding Tank Permit.

SUBDIVISIONS:

• Correspondence was reviewed regarding a request for extension of vested rights in connection with the Old Ridge Farm 12-lot subdivision, which received a conditional approval in 1990; however, conditions were not met and the plan was not recorded. The applicant will be contacted to consider adding the existing trails on the property to the plan.
• The Hankin Group has submitted a revised preliminary by-right plan showing 140 single-family residential lots and 5 office/light industrial lots without a By-Pass road. A meeting is scheduled Thursday, September 10, 1998 at 1:30 p.m. to discuss stormwater management.
• An application of Toll Brothers/Orleans to the Zoning Hearing Board, challenging the validity of the current three acre minimum lot size requirements on the Ewing Tract, has been placed on hold. The Township and the applicant have agreed to spend the next few months exploring possible development options for the site; the applicant will submit a site analysis plan including environmental constraints.
• James Dunworth - Conestoga Villas Sketch Plan: The sketch plan for the 24.8 acre heavily wooded Conestoga Road property shows a manufactured house project of 114 lots, with subsurface community sewer system and public water proposed. Waivers of Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance Section 611D2a, interior street right-of-way width and Section 802J1, open space requirements, were requested. Areas of concern include: stormwater management, clear-cutting of mature trees, slopes, subsurface septic, density of the proposed project, and intense development in a special protection watershed. The EAC does not recommend granting a waiver from open space requirements.
• Romeo Coscia: A preliminary subdivision plan was received from Romeo Coscia, equitable owner of the Barber property, an 8.668 acre tract on Horseshoe Trail between Davis Lane and Jaine Lane. The plan shows four residential lots, on lot water and sewer, and a shared driveway for lots 2, 3, and 4. There appear to be no environmental constraints on the property; concerns were expressed regarding sight distance for the two proposed driveways along Horseshoe Trail. The EAC recommends one entrance to the parcel.
• EXXON U.S.A.: Changes on the development plan include an additional access from Birchrun Road and rotation of the 2656 sq. ft. building. The plan shows a subsurface seepage bed for stormwater. Members questioned how the developer plans to address water quality issues when dealing with parking lot and road run off. Contamination remediation will continue for approximately two to four years.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 a.m. The next meeting will be held Monday, October 5, 1998 at 9:30 a.m. Please call the Chairperson at 469-9858 if unable to attend.