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 7:36 p.m.; others in attendance were Supervisors Karl Brachwitz and Zoë Perkins, Township Manager Allen Heist, and Township Solicitor Allan Greenwood.
Minutes:
Unanimous approval was granted for minutes of July 5, 10, 17, 24, and 31 with a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins.
Reports:
Treasurer’s Report - Barbara Dunn reported the following July account balances: General Fund, $191,431.35; State Fund, $98,323.91; Kimberton Sewer Fund, $17,830.60; Road Repair Loan Fund, $5,573.11; Township Building Loan, $697,456.20; St. Stephens Greene Water Fund, $20,127.11; and St. Stephens Greene Sewer Fund, $34,050.41. It was noted that the Road Repair Loan was paid in full July 26th (one year early); the account balance plus any additional monies received this year will be transferred to the General Fund and budgeted for road repairs and maintenance.
Police Report - Police Chief Karl Jones reported that the Police Department responded to 85 calls in July. The Department assisted the State Police with a burglary at Eagle Cycle and assisted local departments on various calls; six arrests were made for trespassing and three arrests for public urination; Officer Swininger was involved in a minor accident - restitution for damages has been received by the second party’s insurance company; and the conducting of traffic details on secondary roads will continue due to increased traffic as a result of closing Route 100 South.
Solicitor’s Report - Solicitor Greenwood reported working on accepting dedication of Barrington Lane, the Fasel Subdivision, and the Hankin Sewer Maintenance Agreement.
Correspondence:
Correspondence was received from Duke Energy Gas Transmission advising that an electric generating facility is currently being constructed in Eddystone and of the associated activities in Chester and Delaware Counties, specifically the addition of a 4,000 horsepower of electric driven compression at the existing Eagle Compressor Station. Manager Heist will contact Duke Energy for clarification on the location of the project.
A letter was received from Louis Sonzogni, Jr., Barrington Lane, regarding removal of the speed bumps on Horseshoe Trail in West Pikeland Township. West Vincent Township is unable to force the removal of these speed bumps and there is no law or regulation prohibiting them. Manager Heist will contact Mr. Sonzogni regarding possible options available to him; a copy of his letter was sent to West Pikeland Township.
Chester Springs Library sent a letter expressing their gratitude for West Vincent’s contribution to the Library in the amount of $2,250.00.
Subdivision/Land Development/Zoning:
The Board reviewed the draft Taylor Braendel Conditional Use Decision. Larry Shontz requested further clarification on the following conditions:
Condition 8 requires notification to all property owners within 500 feet of the applicant’s property of each production. What will be the notification procedure? Condition 8 will be revised to include the Township Office is responsible for notification of property owners.
Condition 3 limits production to Monday through Friday and does not permit productions during weekends or holidays. Condition 3 will be revised to specify holidays including New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
A temporary zoning/use permit shall be required for each production and the Decision shall expire in five years after which the applicant must re-apply to continue the use.
Mr. Braendel requested that Condition 6 concerning installation of a portable toilet on his property for productions be removed and a requirement added regarding septic system pumping one time per year and proof of pumping provided to the Township. The Board concurred with this change. The Conditional Use Decision will be rendered at the Board’s administrative meeting held Monday, August 21st at 8:00 a.m.
A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz, seconded by Mrs. Perkins, adopting Resolution 9-2000, authorizing Solicitor Allan Greenwood to execute on behalf of the Township all papers and documents pertaining to the dedication of Barrington Lane and to do all other matters necessary to effectuate settlement of the agreement; the motion carried unanimously.
Allan Greenwood has received correspondence from John E. Good, who represents Gregory Stevens, requesting a sixty-day extension for rendering a decision regarding the Conditional Use Application of Senior Life Choice until the end of October 2000. The applicant is preparing an amended plan for the Township’s consideration. A motion was made by Mrs. Perkins to grant a sixty-day extension to October 31, 2000 for rendering a decision on the SLC conditional use application. The Township will notify all parties to the proceedings of the extension to October 31, 2000. The motion was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried unanimously.
Old Business:
On behalf of a Township resident, Mrs. Perkins questioned the notification process regarding Conditional Use and Zoning Hearing Board hearings, specifically notices sent to property owners within 500’ from the applicant’s property lines and receipt of an application as the trigger mechanism for notification. The concerned resident mentioned that 500’ from the applicant’s property line does not include an entire neighborhood and needs to be broadened; it was also suggested that notification occur at time of inquiry. The Municipalities Planning Code requires notification of property owners within 500’ of an applicant’s property line for all Zoning Hearing Board applications; the Township has adopted the same policy for Conditional Use and Subdivision and Land Development applications for consistency. Due to the large volume of zoning/use questions and inquiries, receipt of an application will initiate property owner notification.
New Business:
Board members reviewed a speed study on Saw Mill Road conducted by Chief Jones. A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz, seconded by Mr. Miller, to pursue adopting an ordinance to post a 25 M.P.H. speed limit on Saw Mill Road; the motion carried with Brachwitz and Miller voting in favor and Perkins opposed.
Business from the Floor:
Harry Saunders, Beaver Hill Road, asked if an application has been received by the Township for an animal hospital on Beaver Hill Road. The Township Zoning Officer has had an inquiry regarding an animal hospital on Beaver Hill Road, however, the property owners are not sure if they will pursue this use. To date, an application has not been received. Such use requires special exception approval from the Zoning Hearing Board.
Lenore Richards, Birchrun Road, was present to discuss the storage of equipment on a neighboring property owned by William and Miriam Hall, which may "constitute a commercial situation in a residential zone". Other issues of concern included the construction of a driveway off Jaine Lane and truck maintenance performed in the vicinity of the Rock Run Creek. Zoning Officer Robert Wideman has observed the property during the day and has not found the site in violation of zoning regulations. There was discussion regarding the commercial designation of equipment lying with a truck tractor; it was thought a trailer might not be considered a commercial unit. Allan Greenwood and Fronefield Crawford will be requested to review the commercial scope of the zoning ordinance, the legal status of a tractor trailer, and verify that the Hall property conforms with zoning regulations.
Gloria Shontz questioned the status of the bridge on S. Chester Springs Road; Manager Heist advised that PennDOT estimates a twelve to eighteen month completion time for reconstruction.
Bills List:
Mr. Brachwitz made a motion to pay the bills on the Bills List dated August 14, 2000; it was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
There being no further business, Mr. Brachwitz moved that the meeting be adjourned; the motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. An executive session was held regarding real estate matters.
Respectfully Submitted,