The regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors, held in the Township building, was called to order at 7:43 p.m. by Chairman Kenneth Miller; others in attendance were Supervisors Zoe Perkins and Karl Brachwitz, Manager Allen Heist, and Solicitor Allan Greenwood.
Ice and Snow Removal 1998-99 - Three bids were opened, as follows: D & L Fleck, Inc., 1954 St. Matthews Road, Phoenixville; Rittenbaugh, Inc., 719 N. Wheatland Street, Phoenixville; and Machinery Services, Inc., Royersford. Bid prices were read for Fleck and Rittenbaugh; Machinery Services was a "NO BID". After the Roadmaster and Manager review the information, the bid will be awarded on November 9.
Commercial Stables in Residential Districts - Ben James, representing a citizens group, read aloud a letter dated October 26, 1998, relative to commercial stables. The letter stated that in general they support the concept of the Board’s reviewing this type of request on an individual basis, and then requested that careful consideration be given to all future applications of this nature. A seeming discrepancy in the draft Zoning Ordinance was brought to their attention, and that item will be reviewed again for accuracy. The letter was signed by neighbors of the Taylor conditional use application, which had been withdrawn. Bob Ellis asked if there wasn't a national organization that sets general standards for commercial stables that could be referenced in the Zoning Ordinance; this will be explored. It was noted that when a revised draft of the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances are prepared there will be a public hearing scheduled to consider adoption. David Kusner questioned the change in setback requirements for commercial stables from 250' to 200' from adjoining property lines; he requested that consideration of how these setbacks impinge on neighbors be included.
Hankin By-right plan - A request for an extension of review time to November 23, 1998 was unanimously approved with a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and a second from Mrs. Perkins.
Hankin Conditional Use and Zoning Amendment application - Hearings for this application were completed on October 21, 1998; the Board will attempt to render a decision within 60 days. Mr. Miller opened the meeting to comments from the public regarding this matter. A chart comparing the permitted by-right, permitted by the draft ordinance, and shown on alternate plan, prepared by The Hankin Group, will be made available on the table in the meeting room. Several people asked how residents could help the Board to make a decision that will reflect the desires of their constituents. They were encouraged to attend the Planning Commission workshop to be held on Thursday, November 12 at 7:30 p.m., at which time the Planning Commission has been asked to make a recommendation to the Board. Also available will be the EAC meeting on November 2 at 9:30 a.m. A petition to circulate on Election Day will be considered. Another opportunity would be to put specific recommendations in writing and send to Board members. It was brought out that remaining large landowners have developed the Landowners Co-Op and are or are being made aware of opportunities to keep their lands from falling into the hands of large developers. The West Vincent Township Land Trust has also been organized and is awaiting 501C3 tax-exempt approval. Other topics of discussion were: 1) Another Township option (Planning Solicitor Fronefield Crawford is looking into the option of "dedicated millage", which would be used exclusively for purchase of open space.) 2) Density bonuses being offered in the draft ordinances (One resident expressed the feeling of being "sold out" to developers. Bonuses are offered in exchange for visible open space; maximum density requires large pieces of open space.) 3) Water supply (It is doubtful that the Township can require a developer to use on-site water vs. public water; once a supplier of public water has a franchise area, it can provide water without Township approval.) It was requested that the Solicitor do research into adoption of an ordinance for water resource options similar to sewage options as seen in the Act 537 Plan. Eleanor Morris of the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust spoke of the impact of large developments on these watersheds and asked the Township to take a regional view and consider the damage being done in our area. 4) Influx of non-rural-type residents (Clustering generally attracts a population of people who are more city oriented than country oriented, demanding more public amenities.) A suggestion was made to encourage developers in the area of re-development. 5) Schools (Owen J. Roberts School District has requested that the Township pursue having The Hankin Group provide land for a new elementary school, which would be needed if the Hankin and Ewing tracts are developed. The Board members are in a quandary as to what incentive they might use to encourage this.) 6) Age restricted housing (At this point Mr. Miller emphatically pointed out that the Hamilton plan did offer this type of housing and many of the people at this meeting voiced their opposition so strongly then that Mrs. Hamilton felt forced to withdraw her plan and that option is obviously not being pursued by Hankin at this time.)
Schubert - Based on a recommendation from the Planning Commission for approval, Mrs. Perkins made a motion for final approval of this lot-line change; it was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried.
Coscia - Unanimous approval was granted for an extension of review time to December 14, 1998 with a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and a second from Mrs. Perkins.
Cooks Glen Road - Solicitor Greenwood reported that he had prepared a revised agreement which would be forwarded on Tuesday to the two attorneys and, hopefully, this issue would be resolved soon.
Village Café - After review of a new agreement related to the holding tank being used at the Village Café, Solicitor Greenwood questioned the use of "indefinite" rather than "annual". The agreement will be sent to Planning Solicitor Crawford for his review and a revised agreement.
Flowing Springs Road - After review of the Baird curve by TPD, chevrons were placed there by the road crew. The road crew has requested to replace the chevrons with a single arrow sign. The Board agreed to reduce the number of chevrons to two instead of three, which should be sufficient with a 10 mph speed limit there. Manager Heist has checked all chevrons in place including a request by the Police Dept. regarding adding those on Beaver Hill Road. Only existing sites will be maintained with at least two chevrons.
St. Matthews Road / Beaver Hill Road - Sight lines at this intersection have been questioned. Under our present ordinances, trees and buildings would have to be removed in order to meet the requirements. Under the proposed draft ordinances, clear sight line would necessitate removal of 3 trees on St. Matthews Road. The Board decided not to remove the trees at this time.
Lawsuit - Mrs. Perkins noted that the notice of a lawsuit being brought against the Township is inadequate. Not enough information is included. The matter has been referred to our insurance claims office.
Mr. Brachwitz asked about the Kimberton Sewer account that is not being paid. Solicitor Greenwood is working on it.
Township Building relocation - Application for a loan to purchase the Evans property and make renovations will need approval of the DCA, which takes at least twenty (20) days. Manager Heist has contacted bond counsel for the paperwork needed to float a bond instead of having a conventional bank loan. The Board agreed that the amount of the loan/bond will be $880,000. A clean (verbal) report regarding the underground storage tank sites has been received from Evans Mill Environmental regarding the Evans property.
Ewing tract - Mrs. Perkins reported on a site inspection of this site which was made today, with Toll Bros. and the Township represented: It is very large - 376 acres; Toll Bros. may want to move the location of Eagle Farms Road; an environmental features plan was received; a sketch of a possible golf course will be coming. Mrs. Perkins asked the Board if they could designate one representative of the active citizens group to sit in on meetings during negotiations with Toll Bros. The other Board members did not agree to this. There was a short discussion as to whether a golf course should be considered open space.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,