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 7:35 p.m.; others in attendance were Supervisors Karl Brachwitz and Zoë Perkins, Township Manager Allen Heist, Township Solicitor Allan Greenwood, and Mark Hegarty, court reporter.

Conditional Use Hearing:

A conditional use hearing for Michael and Anne Strawbridge was called to order at 7:37 p.m. The hearing had been duly advertised as shown by the proof of publication and notice had been given to all property owners within 500' of the Strawbridge property. The applicants seek a formal definition or description of the uses permitted for a commercial stable, together with any conditions, on their 20.5 acre property (Tax Parcel No. 25-7-109) located at 1072 St. Matthews Road, Chester Springs, in the R-2 Zoning District. The applicants contend that the property was used as a boarding stable from the early 1970's to the mid 1990's and seek "to have that right continue as a grandfathered non-conforming use". Solicitor Greenwood asked if anyone present would like to enter party status; there was no response.

Joint testimony was given by Anne Strawbridge and Marcus O'Rourke, Project Manager, concerning the conditional use application submission, including documentation that the property was used as a boarding stable from the early 1970's to mid 1990's and the location of the manure pit; desire to continue the right to use the property as a boarding stable/training facility; and willingness to comply with any reasonable limitations set by the Township. The applicant submitted for the record Exhibit A-1, Application for Conditional Use (7 pages).

Solicitor Greenwood read into the record a memorandum from the West Vincent Township Planning Commission, dated May 19, 2000, which states "The Planning Commission feels that the application is incomplete and would like to address the following issues: parking, light, noise, hour of operation, signs, manure pit, and the number of horses they will be boarding. The applicant needs to comply with Sections 2220 and 2711 of the Township Zoning Ordinance."

Exhibit A-2, correspondence to the Board of Supervisors from Marcus E. O'Rourke Jr., dated May 21, 2000, was submitted and read into the record as follows:

Solicitor Greenwood submitted the following exhibits into the record:

• S-1 - West Vincent Township Planning Commission memorandum dated May 19, 2000
• S-2 - Chester County Planning Commission review letter
• S-3 - Letter of support from Hettie J. Herzog, 1057 St. Matthews Road
• S-4 - Letter of support from Gerald Vincent John, Esquire, 1107 St. Matthews Road
• S-5 - Complete list of Township Residents that received the hearing notice

Concerns were expressed by Solicitor Greenwood and Mr. Brachwitz regarding the difficulty in imposing limitations on the use without the submission of specific plans or broad parameters for the future use of the property. Manager Heist asked questions of Mr. O'Rourke seeking clarification regarding the possible number of horses that could be housed in the barn (16), the number of acres currently fenced (1+ acres), and the number of acres to be fenced in the future (a total of approximately 5 acres or 5 paddocks).

Robert Kaiser requested permission to question the applicant, which resulted in Solicitor Greenwood inviting submission of Entry of Appearance forms and one entry of appearance was filed as follows:

The Board confirmed party status and Mr. Kaiser continued with his questions regarding the setback requirements for fencing, management of the potential boarding stable operation, disposal of manure, odors, and the number of horses in each paddock.

Mr. Miller advised that the applicants have an approved building permit for an indoor riding rink, which is not part of the conditional use application.

The applicants were requested to submit two sets of plans as part of the record - the first plot plan consisting of the existing conditions when the property was used as a boarding stable (including septic, pool, manure pit, paved areas, fences, paddock layout, and parking spaces); the second plan showing the existing improvements and proposed improvements (including the previously mentioned features). The staff will prepare a list of proposed conditions for Solicitor Greenwood's review. The conditional use hearing in connection with the application of Michael and Anne Strawbridge will continue on Monday, June 12, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. at the West Vincent Township Building; the hearing was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Continuation of Regular Meeting:

The regular meeting was called to order at 8:25 p.m.

Chairman Miller announced that the South Chester Springs Road agenda item would be discussed at this time. Daniel P. Mannix, Esquire, representing the petitioners to close South Chester Springs Road at its intersection with Route 401, advised that a petition to that effect has been submitted to the Township. The petitioners are concerned regarding inadequate site lines on Route 401, creating a hazardous condition for ingress or egress to South Chester Springs Road. The suggested remedy is to close South Chester Springs Road at the intersection of Route 401, leaving an access for emergency vehicles. This closure would be achieved by construction of a cul-de-sac on South Chester Springs Road on the north side of the bridge, which is currently closed, at an estimated cost of $25,000 and the installation of signs. The petitioners also request that the Board consider accepting dedication of South Chester Springs Road (currently a State Road) between the intersection of Route 401 and Horseshoe Trail. Attachments to the petition include: PennDOT and Township site line regulations, Engineer Report as to the site, PennDOT Accident Record Reports, PA statute regarding transfer of ownership of roadway right of way, cost estimates to close and construct a cul-de-sac on South Chester Springs Road, and opinions from Ludwigs Corner Fire Company, Uwchlan Ambulance Corps and Owen J. Roberts School District. Project costs to the Township may be offset by donation of land necessary to construct a cul-de-sac and funds from PennDOT to improve the road prior to dedication of the roadway. The petition represents residents on South Chester Springs Road between Horseshoe Trail and Route 401; four property owners did not sign the petition.

Comments supporting the proposed petition were received from Peter Zimmerman, Robert Siegele, Michael Himsworth, Diana Urbanski, Claudja Abbott, James Wells, Blaine Finkbinder, James Forth, Herb Abbott, Nancy Carr, and Ray Carr mentioning road conditions, increased traffic, safety issues, and traffic conditions such as speeding and careless driving. Edwin Peeples, Rev. Eugene Shirey of Vincent Baptist Church, Jane Gaffer, Wheeler Aman, and George Butler expressed opposition to the closing of South Chester Springs Road. The following alternative solutions were contributed: warning signs on Route 401, blinking light on Route 401, reconstruction of the roadway, limit access during certain hours, close to thru traffic, one way designation, no left turn designation onto Route 401, reduction of speed limit, and speed "dampening" as used in West Pikeland Township.

Manager Heist will contact PennDOT regarding traffic control devices (i.e. warning signs, "No Left Turn" sign, limited access during certain hours, and blinking warning sign/light) on Route 401 and South Chester Springs Road. When a response is received, Mr. Mannix and Mr. Zimmerman will be contacted.

Subdivision/Land Development/Zoning:

• An agreement for subdivision review extension to June 13, 2000 for the Fasel Subdivision was acknowledged with a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins; the motion carried unanimously.
• The Board unanimously acknowledged receipt of a subdivision extension agreement for The Hankin Tract (By-Right) plan extending review time to August 1, 2000 upon a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins.
• The Board unanimously acknowledged receipt of a conditional use application from Taylor Braendel upon a motion from Mrs. Perkins and second from Mr. Brachwitz; the hearing will be held Monday, July 10, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. at the Township Building. The applicant desires to use his property for film and video production under Section 2205 of the Township Zoning Ordinance.

Old Business:

• Two bids were received for purchase, installation and start up of fifteen time meters at the St. Stephens Greene Sewage Treatment Plant. A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz to award the bid for time meters to the lowest bidder, Hoishik Electric Inc., in the amount of $1,500.00; the motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
• The Board approved advertising for bid the repair and paving of the walking path at the Township Park.
• Manager Heist reported that responses have been received from residents in the Kimberton Sewer Extension Project regarding converting the existing loan from variable rate terms to a fixed rate; the majority of residents would like to maintain the current variable rate and the Board concurred.
• Pennsylvania Council on the Arts has awarded a pass through grant to Chester Springs Studio for $700; the Township will match the $700 grant and contribute an additional $300 as budgeted.

New Business:

• The Federation of Northern Chester County Communities is completing the Sustainable Watershed Management Program and requesting input and level of interest from municipalities regarding a Regional Transportation Study prior to developing a scope of work. The Board indicated favorable interest in studying major corridors, preservation of roadways, and pedestrian corridors and support proceeding with the development of a scope of work and available grants for the project.

Business from the Floor:

• Clare Quinn requested signage at the bridge located on Horseshoe Trail between Hollow Road and Mill Road (i.e. narrow bridge or one way bridge) to alert motorists; Manager Heist will look into this matter.
• St. Stephens Greene resident, Simon Raban, was present to discuss the status of Barrington Lane road dedication and transfer of ownership of the SSG Water Plant to Philadelphia Suburban Water Company.
• Wheeler Aman was in receipt of correspondence from East Pikeland Township indicating that East Pikeland is not inclined to enforce the Kimberbrae Trail Easement at this time and requested the Township's position on opening the trail in West Vincent to access the park area on the French Creek. As previously stated, the Board's position per a motion dated 8-23-93 has been that since the French Creek Park area is not in active use, the expenditure of taxpayer money to open the trail is not merited. Mr. Brachwitz and Mr. Miller indicated that they are not inclined to open the trail.

Bills List:

• Mr. Brachwitz made a motion to pay the bills on the Bills List dated May 22, 2000; it was seconded by Mr. Miller 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 10:20 p.m.