CONDITIONAL USE HEARING
The fifth conditional use hearing to consider the application of SLC Senior Living, LLC was held on the above date at the Township Building. Chairman Kenneth Miller called the public hearing to order at 7:35 p.m.; others in attendance were Supervisors Karl Brachwitz and Zoë Perkins, Township Solicitor Allan Greenwood, Township Manager Allen Heist, Township Code Enforcement Officer Robert Wideman, Jane Opie, court reporter, and John E. Good, Esquire, representing the applicant.
The purpose of the hearing was to take formal action on the application of a conditional use permitted under Section 603B.7 pursuant to Sections 2212 and 2711 of the West Vincent Township Zoning Ordinance to construct a life care community on tax parcels 25-7-8 (24.8 acres fronting on Route 401 zoned R-2 with a Mobile Home Park Overlay) and 25-7-8.2 (13.4 acres fronting on Black Horse Road zoned R-2). The applicant proposes 31 duplex cottages (62 units), 84 assisted living facility luxury suites, and 70 assisted living facility standard suites.
Chairman Miller stated that the hearing procedures for hearing dates after January 24, 2000 read during the previous hearings applied also to this hearing. As a follow-up to the previous hearing, Mr. Good stated that the "fold-up" versions of board exhibits A-15 through A-19, A-21, and A-23 were placed in the mail to the Township Solicitor, Township Office, and Richard Mulcahey, Esquire and should be received this week.
Solicitor Greenwood stated that during the previous hearing, which was held on March 29, 2000, testimony of Martin Kimmel was completed and parties Christa Jones and Richard Mulcahey, Esquire, cross-examined the witness. Tonight's hearing will resume with Mr. Mulcahey's finishing cross-examination of Mr. Kimmel and will continue with party cross-examination.
The Applicant submitted for the record Exhibit A-25, "Ludwigs Corner Site Section", an elevations cross-section running north to south through the site.
Parties, Richard Mulcavey, Esquire and Randy Smith cross-examined the witness. Code Enforcement Officer Robert Wideman asked questions seeking clarification of the evidence presented during cross-examination.
John E. Good, Esquire presented the Applicant's fourth witness, Victor Kelly Jr., P.E. and Principal of Commonwealth Engineers, Inc. in Uwchland. Mr. Kelly reviewed his professional background and discussed the feasibility of the project with regard to storm water management finding that the sketch plan is viable and indicating that storm water controls would be in compliance with the Township Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance requirements. Exhibit A-20 indicates a detention basin located along Conestoga Road, which would provide for the required storage. Best Management Practices and infiltration devices (i.e. grass swales, filter strips, infiltration, perforated storm sewer and detention basins) will be implemented throughout the site wherever feasible during the land development process.
Upon completion of testimony, Parties Richard Mulcahey, Esquire and Keith Jones cross-examined the witness. Code Enforcement Officer Robert Wideman, Mrs. Perkins, and Manager Heist asked questions seeking clarification of the evidence presented during cross-examination.
Mr. Good presented the fifth witness, Daniel R. Hudson, P.E. with Evans Mill Environmental, Inc. in Uwchland to review wastewater management feasibility for the proposed project. Wastewater treatment will be provided by utilizing a package treatment plant located on the NW corner of the site (as indicated on Exhibit A-20) with effluent disposal via a drip irrigation land application system. A 3.5 acre area on the SW corner of the site is designated as the proposed location of the disposal field. Actual test pit observations indicated that the soils on the area reserved for the disposal field are deep, well drained soils, and suitable for subsurface disposal of treated sewage. If required by the Township, spray irrigation will be utilized instead of drip irrigation. The wastewater treatment system would be owned and operated by the landowner. Direct questioning of Mr. Hudson was completed.
Following a fifteen-minute recess, Chairman Miller reconvened the hearing at 9:20 p.m. Mrs. Perkins, Manager Heist, and Chairman Miller asked questions seeking clarification of the evidence presented. Parties, Richard Mulcahey, Esquire; Randy Smith; Albert Paxon; Judah Berkowitz; Keith Jones; and Charlotte Smith cross-examined the witness. Manager Heist and Code Enforcement Office Robert Wideman asked questions seeking clarification of the evidence presented during cross-examination.
Solicitor Greenwood advised that since the Applicant has presented all his witnesses and offered all his exhibits the conditional use hearing in connection with the application of SLC Senior Living, LLC would resume with Party Richard Mulcahey, Esquire presenting witnesses and documents in support of his position on Wednesday, May 10, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. at the West Vincent Township Building. In the event that a seventh hearing is required, a hearing date of Wednesday, May 17, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. was selected.
Solicitor Greenwood announced that the conditional use hearing to consider the application of Columbia Transmission Communications Corp. scheduled for Wednesday, April 26, 2000 has been continued to Wednesday, May 3, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. at the West Vincent Township Building.
The hearing was adjourned at 10:10 p.m.