The regular meeting of the West Vincent Township Board of Supervisors was held on the above date at the Township Building. Chairman Kenneth Miller called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.; others in attendance were Supervisors Karl Brachwitz and Zoë Perkins, Township Manager Allen Heist, and Township Solicitor Allan Greenwood.

Correspondence:

• Correspondence was received from PennDOT regarding resurfacing St. Matthews Road between Route 401 and Pughtown Road; this project is scheduled for a March 2001 letting.

Subdivision/Land Development/Zoning:

• A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz to acknowledge receipt of a subdivision extension agreement to June 1, 2000 for The Hankin Tract By-Right Plan; the motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
• Columbia Transmission Communication Corporation's request to use a temporary trailer at 310 Fellowship Road prior to conditional use approval was withdrawn by CTC.
• Burch/Dawes Property:
  • Alan Escott, Esquire, representing Robert Burch, was present to request the Board to consider severing the development rights on the former Dawes property (seven parcels totaling 77 acres, zoned R-2 Residential on Kimberton Road) and restricting development to four homes without imposing any further conditions. In addition to the "Dawes Property", Mr. Burch also owns an adjacent eight acre parcel, approximately fifty-five acres on the north side of Kimberton Road opposite the 77 acres, and a 48.5 acre parcel located on Pughtown Road.
  • Mr. Escott had attended an administrative meeting of the Board on December 20, 1999 to discuss Mr. Burch's purchase of the Dawes property utilizing the TDR provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and subsequent conveyance of the property to a prospective purchaser. Since the policy of the Zoning Ordinance is to preserve prime agricultural lands, soils and visual resources, it was suggested at that time that the draft TDR easement include a "no-build" area delineated 100' in front of the existing treeline or in accordance with the Tier 1 setback requirements, whichever is greater. A map delineating building setback lines was prepared and reviewed with the prospective purchaser. However, the prospective purchaser is interested in acquiring the "Dawes Property" and restricting the 77 acres to four homes but has declined a "no-build" area delineation. Mr. Escott explained that there are time constraints since the prospective purchaser has extended the closing date on the property a couple of times (the current extension is mid-March) and requested a decision from the Board on severing the development rights on the property and restricting development to four units without attaching further conditions. A restrictive covenant agreement is in place and would be available in a couple days for signature. Mr. Escott added that Mr. Burch also desires to liquidate his other landholdings on Kimberton Road, however the ability to market his properties has been deterred due to the inability to deliver a firm restriction on the Dawes property.
  • The following information/comments were offered during discussion:
    • The TDR Worksheet shows 54 development rights on the "Dawes Property". Mr. Burch intends to "bank" the remaining 50 development rights.
    • Mr. Burch was amiable to increasing the number of restricted development units to seven - one unit per tax parcel; Mr. Burch stated he was also willing to restrict the adjoining eight acre parcel to one unit.
    • A number of Township residents commented favorably regarding the proposed restricted development on the "Dawes Property" as an opportunity to save and preserve open space, however, concerns were raised on the future of the remaining development rights and the possible impact on the Pughtown Road property, which was viewed by some as a more important agricultural resource.
    • Currently, there are no deed restrictions on the "Dawes Property".
    • Concurrence with the Burch proposal would augment the conservation efforts of the neighboring Fraley property at Kimberton and Flint Roads.
  • Solicitor Greenwood will confer with Fronefield Crawford regarding the transfer of development rights on the "Dawes Property" and relief sought by Mr. Burch as it relates to the TDR Zoning Ordinance requirements; Mr. Greenwood will report back to the Board and Mr. Escott. A restrictive covenant agreement will be submitted to the Board and the Solicitors for review prior to the March 13^th regular meeting. Chairman Miller called for a ten-minute recess.
• The meeting reconvened at 9:30 p.m. David Beideman, representing John Bachich, was present to review a sketch plan for the Laymen's Home Missionary Movement property on the eastern side of St. Matthews Road. The applicant proposes a subdivision with 33 residential lots on an 86 acre tract; the owner will retain a 14 acre parcel. The tract is zoned R-2 Residential and the applicant has chosen the Tier III subdivision option. To supplement prior comments submitted to the applicant by the Environmental Advisory Council and Planning Commission, the Board recommended the following:
  • Addition of a recreation area, i.e. grassy playing field, to be maintained by the H.O.A.
  • Delete the island dividing the access street.
  • Creation of an access to the site from St. Matthews Road for emergency and safety vehicles.

Old Business:

• A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz to approve the Proposal for Construction Phase as presented by Cathers & Associates, Inc. in the amount of $48,800 plus a separate time and material fee allowance for construction administration in the amount of $8,250 per their revised letter dated February 11, 2000; the motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
• As a follow-up to a request for the Board to consider painting center lines on Township roads for safety purposes, Manager Heist reviewed a list of 18' wide (compared to 20' as previously discussed) Township roads under consideration including Flowing Springs Road, Hollow Road, and School House Lane. Segments of Black Horse Road, Horseshoe Trail and Miller Road, which are not solely in West Vincent Township, may be considered if the project can be coordinated with the adjacent township. Estimates range from 3¢ per linear foot for water based paint to 4¢ per linear foot for oil based paint at an approximate cost of $1300 (Flowing Springs Road, Hollow Road and School House Lane) to $2400 (additional road segments). PennDOT specifications require a double yellow line and striping will need to be repainted yearly. Manager Heist was requested to compile a list of 16' wide Township roads and an estimated cost for striping these additional roads.

New Business:

• Manager Heist will contact Gannett Fleming, Inc., Township Traffic Engineer, regarding a cost estimate for inspecting the Township Bridges.
• A pole with spot light and electric wires has fallen over at the Evans property; it was suggested the wires be attached to the maintenance building and the pole removed. Manager Heist will contact the electrician.

Business from the Floor:

• Township resident Gary Nielsen requested the Township's assistance regarding the condition of various roads and properties within the Township as a result of the installation of fiber optic cable. Other private property issues are civil matters. The Township Code Enforcement Officer has issued an enforcement notice to Columbia Transmission Communications Corporation for violations of the West Vincent Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance and Zoning Ordinance specifically earthwork performed without any erosion control facilities at the site and application for Driveway/Road Occupancy Permit is required before the installation of a driveway. A joint encroachment permit was issued by DEP and Army Corps of Engineers for the project; meetings will be held this week with them regarding citizen complaints.

Bills List:

• Mr. Brachwitz made a motion to pay the bills on the Bills List dated February 28, 2000; it was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.

There being no further business, Mr. Brachwitz moved the meeting be adjourned; the motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and the meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,