ATTENDING: Chairman James Wendelgass, Members Wheeler Aman, Vince Kling, Joan Michaelson, and Jean Warrick.

Chairman James Wendelgass called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. A unanimously approved motion was made by Jean Warrick, seconded by Joan Michaelson, to suspend the Planning Commission Work Sessions (held on the second Thursday of each month) until the end of the year.

The following correspondence was reviewed:

• Evans Mill Environmental, Inc. has advised DEP that Helen W. Parke has decided to continue operating 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. Use of a holding tank is a recognized alternative by DEP and the Health Department.
• Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission announcing their 1998 Annual Conference Foundations for Success to be held October 4-6 at the Doubletree Hotel in Philadelphia.

ZONING:

The Planning Commission, EAC, and Board of Supervisors will hold a joint work session on Wednesday, September 30, 1998 at 7:30 p.m. to review and discuss the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance public hearing comments.

The Hankin Group has submitted a conditional use in conjunction with a proposed zoning ordinance amendment that would create a Unified Development Area Overlay District. As a result of the first hearing, the Hankin Group was requested to supply an additional analysis on school age children; the initial impact study, based upon the Eagleview "Gardens" residential development, showed .337 school age children per home. The proposed plan shows 96,700 sq. ft. retail use and 140,000 sq. ft. office use on 31.5 acres and 188 single family detached dwelling units and 119 Garden Lot dwelling units (a total of 307 units) on 32.58 acres. The applicant was also requested to supply an analysis of their proposal with the proposed West Vincent Township Zoning Ordinance. The Board of Supervisors has scheduled a hearing on Thursday, September 24, 1998 at 7 p.m. at the Township Building. The Planning Commission may be asked for their recommendation to the Board of Supervisors at the next regular meeting.

Toll/Orleans have agreed to postpone commencement of the Ewing Tract zoning ordinance challenge hearings with the right to reinstate the hearings with a sixty-day notice. The applicant will submit a site analysis plan and work with the Township to explore possible development options for the site. Correspondence was received from Bob McDevitt, President of the "Concerned Citizens of West Vincent" requesting "to be present at the table with Toll/Orleans during the planning process and advised of the status of this development".

A conditional use application was received from Keith S. Taylor to use a twelve acre parcel at 1303 Hilltop Road 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". Mr. Taylor also plans to add a riding ring with lighting. A hearing will be held Monday, October 12, 1998 at 7:30 p.m. The Planning Commission recommended conditions be considered regarding parking, lighting, hours of operation, and manure removal; also, the specific number of acres of usable pasture on the property be determined by the Township based on aerial maps and/or walk through of the property. The Planning Commission will meet Tuesday, September 22 at 5:30 p.m. to walk the property.

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.

Mrs. Betsy Stanton and Mr. Robert Borst, Executors, were present to review sketch plans for two properties on Black Horse Road owned by their father, George Borst (deceased). The first plan showed 13.44 acres in the RC zoning district, divided into two residential lots consisting of 7.26 acres and 6.18 acres; on lot water and sewer were proposed and a shared driveway provided access to the lots. The lot located on the north side of Black Horse Road is wooded along the road; steep slopes were noted. Members recommended the submission of a preliminary subdivision plan and driveway agreement. The second sketch plan showed 15 acres on the south side of Black Horse Road, in the R2 zoning district, divided into four residential lots of approximately 3.5 acres each. One lot included the existing residence; on lot sewer, water and individual driveways were proposed. A preliminary subdivision plan will be submitted.

Marc Jonas, Esquire, Joe Baron, Bohler Engineering, Inc., and Robert Caserta, Exxon Company, USA were present to review the Exxon Corporation land development plan. Exxon Corporation proposes to construct a 2,656 sq. ft. (32' X 83') convenience store with six pump islands on their 1.898 acre lot at the intersection of Pottstown Pike, Conestoga Road and Birchrun Road. On lot sewage treatment, water supply, and underground infiltration basin for stormwater management are proposed. There are three ingress/egress and one ingress only access points. Variances granted by the Zoning Hearing Board include:

1. From Section 1003.G to permit an accessory structure to be situated with 10 feet of the rear yard.
2. From Section 1703C.1 and .5 to permit four business signs rather than the allowable maximum of three signs.
3. From Section 1705J. to permit a wall sign to have a clearance of approximately 4.5 feet above the finished grade of a sidewalk rather than the required minimum of 10 feet.
4. From Section 1803J.3 to permit accessways to be approximately 40 feet and 97 feet from an arterial street intersection rather than the required minimum of 150 feet.

A waiver has been requested from Section 606G to allow the edge of a driveway to be 0 feet from the nearest end of paving radius rather than the minimum required 60 feet. Contamination remediation and monitoring of on site wells will continue; construction and improving the site may accelerate the remediation of the site. 53% of the site is impervious cover. Septic design and well location have not been finalized. The building will be constructed according to Village Design standards. 400 watt aerial lights (19 fixtures) on 16' gray aluminum poles will supply lighting on the site; an average illumination limit of 1 footcandle will prevent lighting or glare beyond the site. Exxon is willing to discuss joint access with the Hankin Group.

Areas of concern included: contamination remediation, drinking water, entrance on Pottstown Pike at Conestoga Road, underground infiltration stormwater system, water quality issues dealing with run off, septic design, well location, and lighting. The Planning Commission will resume their plan review following receipt of the perk rates, septic design, and well location from Exxon and the Township traffic and engineer reports.

Mr. Gene Richards, representing Romeo Coscia, who is equitable owner of the Barber property on Horseshoe Trail, was present to review the Coscia Subdivision Plan. The plan shows four residential lots on 8.668 acres in the R2 zoning district ranging from 2 to 2.070 acres; on lot sewer, water, individual stormwater basins, a shared driveway to serve three lots and an individual driveway for the fourth lot are proposed. Mr. Richards advised the Planning Commission the plan would be fine-tuned according to the review letters from Chester County Planning Commission, Castle Valley Consultants, and Fronefield Crawford. A site visit was planned for Tuesday, September 22 at 6:30 p.m.

The minutes from the August 20, 1998 meeting were unanimously approved with a motion from Vince Kling and second from Joan Michaelson. The meeting was adjourned at 10.30 p.m.