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 7:37 p.m.; others in attendance were Supervisors Karl Brachwitz and Zoë Perkins, Township Manager Allen Heist, Township Solicitor Allan Greenwood, Michael Imms, Esquire, and Jane Opie, court reporter.
Conditional Use Hearing:
The second conditional use hearing for Heather and Lance Heft was called to order at 7:38 p.m. The applicants desire to construct a driveway, on-site sewage disposal system, storm water management system, and cuts and fills in a precautionary slope district on their property (Tax Parcel 25-7-233) located on the south side of Hollow Road, approximately 2000 feet east of the intersection with Horseshoe Trail, in the RC Zoning District.
The following statement was read into the record by Solicitor Greenwood:
"I have decided to recuse myself as Solicitor of the West Vincent Township Board of Supervisors in the above-referenced matter (Conditional Use Application of Heather and Lance Heft) because I have represented one of the parties to the proceeding, French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, Inc., at various times in the past. I am making this Memo a part of the record by giving a copy to the Court Reporter and by giving a copy to the Township for its file."
Solicitor Imms submitted the following exhibits into the record:
B-7 - Notification to Property Owners within 500’ of the proposed project of the amended site plan and continuation of Conditional Use Hearing B-8 - Memorandum from Robert Wideman, Zoning Officer, dated December 11, 2000 B-9 - Letter from Stanley and Patricia Timson, dated November 28, 2000
Solicitor Imms asked if anyone present would like to enter an appearance as party to the proceeding. Kimberly Weir, 10 Phillips Lane, Chester Springs filed an entry of appearance and the Board confirmed her party status in the conditional use proceeding.
Glenn Blackwell, Esquire, attorney for the applicants, reviewed the property location and conditional use application. Testimony was given by James M. Haigney, Commonwealth Engineers, Inc., concerning the conditional use application submission as permitted under Zoning Ordiannce Section 1704B.1 pertaining to limit of disturbance, erosion and sedimentation control measures, storm water management (2’x2’x60’ stone trench and detention basin), driveway, and proposed dwelling location, the site development plan was reviewed, compliance with the Zoning Ordinance noted, and Planning Commission, EAC and neighboring property owners comments and concerns were addressed. The applicant plans to relocate the existing trail to the southern property line and provide a mutually acceptable agreement to access the French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust property sewage disposal system. During the testimony, applicant exhibit A-1, site development plan dated November 28, 2000 (Township’s copy is dated November 29, 2000), was submitted for the record.
Upon completion of testimony, Zoning Officer Robert Wideman, read his memorandum dated December 11, 2000 (Exhibit B-8) into the record as follows:
"Members of the community have raised the issue of the visibility of the proposed house. In my opinion, this hearing is not the proper place to discuss whether or not the house will be visible from adjacent properties. The Township does not have jurisdiction over the visibility question and the applicant has the right to construct a house anywhere on the site as long as all zoning regulations are met. The proposed location is outside of the French Creek Scenic River Corridor, outside of any prohibitive slopes and within the required building setbacks.
Based on the layout of the revised plan, the only issues remaining in the conditional use hearing at this time are the driveway, a small portion of the stormwater control facilities and the septic tanks. According to the Zoning Ordinance, a single-family house is clearly a permitted use in slopes up to 25%. The location and size of the proposed house are in total compliance with the Zoning Ordinance."
Robert Wideman, Mrs. Perkins, Manager Heist, and parties Bruce Saunders, Mrs. Morris, Mrs. Damsgaard (representing French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust) and Ann Dyer asked questions seeking clarification of the evidence presented during testimony. Mr. Blackwell submitted Exhibit A-2, an 11" x 17" version of the Heft site development plan, dated November 16, 2000, into the record.
There being no further testimony or questions, the evidentiary portion of the record was closed; the Board will render a decision on Tuesday, December 26, 2000. The conditional use hearing in connection with the application of Heather and Lance Heft will continue on Tuesday, December 26, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. at the West Vincent Township Building; the hearing was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Continuation of Regular Meeting:
The regular meeting was called to order at 8:50 p.m.
Lane Thompson, a Phoenixville High School senior, was present with five classmates to report on the recently completed stream bank fencing project on the Camphill property. Throughout the past year, the students have worked on restoring the stream bank, which was damaged by cows and also floodwaters during Hurricane Floyd, by removing evasive rose bushes, planting trees, and installing fencing. Ms. Thompson advised that a web site for the project is being established. The Board commended the students on their senior project and thanked them for their time and effort spent in preserving the ecological value of the stream.
Minutes:
Unanimous approval was granted for minutes of November 6, 13, 20, and 27 with a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins.
Reports:
Treasurer’s Report - The following November 30, 2000 account balances were reported: General Fund Balance, $72,158.31; State Fund, $36,315.05; Kimberton Sewer Fund, $5,449.29; Township Building Loan, $694,117.50; St. Stephens Greene Water Fund, $23,256.53; and St. Stephens Greene Sewer Fund, $30,556.43.
Police Report - Police Chief Karl Jones reported that the Police Department responded to 71 calls in November. The Department investigated four traffic accidents involving deer; made one arrest for Drug Act 64; provided mutual assistance to surrounding police departments; responded to complaints of trespassers and shots heard on the opening day of deer hunting season; and investigated the theft of a hunter’s tree stand.
Solicitor’s Report - Solicitor Greenwood reported working on the Hammond easement agreement, McBride, Shoppa contract proposal, and the Kennedy Subdivision deed.
Eleanor Morris indicated she has received positive feedback on the regional planning/zoning meeting hosted by West Vincent Township in November and commended the Board on initiating discussion among local townships and boroughs.
Subdivisions/Land Development/Zoning:
The Board acknowledged receipt of the Susan P. Thomas preliminary subdivision plan for two lots on the 6.2239-acre property located at 1562 Pughtown Road upon a unanimous motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins.
The Township received a copy of an order from the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, dated November 16, 2000, denying the Michael and Janet Polay petition for appeal.
The Board acknowledged receipt of a subdivision extension agreement to June 1, 2001 for the Matlock Long Lane Subdivision Plan upon a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins; the motion carried unanimously.
The Board unanimously acknowledged receipt of a subdivision extension agreement to June 1, 2001 for the Matlock Dawes Farm Subdivision Plan upon a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins.
Old Business:
A draft letter to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency appealing the amount originally approved for repairs to the Flowing Springs Road bridge and requesting additional funding assistance was reviewed by Board members; the letter will be sent to PEMA.
Cost estimates to repair or replace the Flowing Springs Road bridge have been received from Gannett Fleming, Klein & Hoffman, and Traffic Planning and Design and will be reviewed.
Mrs. Perkins reported the following:
Representative Curt Schroder is monitoring the status of the S. Chester Springs Road bridge reconstruction project and the neighbors are meeting with PennDOT.
In speaking with Newt Evans, he suggested the Township Park be named "Andrew Evans Park".
The holiday decorated Barrington Road street sign offends a St. Stevens Greene resident; the matter has been turned over to the Zoning Officer.
New Business:
A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz to approve the Hepatitis B Immunization Series and titer for Roadworker Mike Hogga at a total cost of $225.00; the motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
A Township Road Occupancy Permit has been received from Columbia Transmission Communications to open cut Sheeder Mill Road for installation of fiber optics conduit; the application has been forwarded to the Township Engineer for review.
Solicitor Greenwood is reviewing a proposed 2001 Engineering/Planning Service Agreement from Castle Valley Consultants, Inc. In response to a question from Clare Quinn, proposals are received and reviewed from various contractors throughout the year and appointment decisions are made based on review of these submitted proposals and performance reviews of the current consultants.
Wetherill Estates Homeowners Association has requested the use of the Township Building on Tuesday, April 24, 2001 for their annual meeting; the Board approved the request.
Bills List:
Mr. Brachwitz made a motion to pay the bills on the Bills List dated December 11, 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 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,