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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 and William Handy, court reporter. Conditional Use Hearing: A conditional use hearing for West Vincent Township was called to order at 7:38 p.m. The hearing had been duly advertised as shown by proof of publication and notice had been given to all property owners within 500' of the property (Tax Parcel 25-7-84) located at 729 St. Matthews Road. The Township proposes to lease the first floor (approximately 1600 sq. ft.) of the former farmhouse on the 6.7 acre parcel in the Municipal Zoning District for professional office use as permitted under Section 1502B.1 of the Township Zoning Ordinance.
Solicitor Greenwood submitted the following exhibits into the record:
B-1 Conditional Use Application B-2 Proof of Publication B-3 Notification to Property Owners within 500' of the proposed project B-4 Correspondence from Rose Marie B. McCartney B-5 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, dated April 19, 2001
Solicitor Greenwood asked if anyone present would like to enter an appearance as party to the proceeding; there was no response.
Testimony was given by Manager Heist concerning the conditional use application including the following proposed conditions for professional office use:
Correspondence was received from Rose Marie McCartney, 2434 Malehorn Road, stating "we at Hellzapoppin Farm see no reason to register an objection to the proposal". The Planning Commission recommended eliminating Condition #1, which designates hours of operation. The Board agreed to change Condition #1 to reflect hours of operation between 6:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Township resident Jane Vasile, 2712 Horseshoe Trail, Chester Springs filed an entry of appearance and the Board confirmed her party status in the conditional use proceeding. Upon completion of testimony, Mrs. Vasile asked questions seeking clarification of the evidence presented pertaining to the following:
Jane Gaffer expressed concerns regarding the use. Solicitor Greenwood advised that the office use does not change the property's zoning district and the use is consistent with zoning requirements within the entire municipal district. In the event the property is not used for the relocation of the Township Building or municipal purposes, the conditional use decision does not prohibit the Board from proposing a zoning district change.
Exhibits B1-B5 were admitted into evidence and since there was no further testimony or questions, the evidentiary portion of the record was closed.
A motion was made by Mr. Miller to grant conditional use approval to West Vincent Township subject to the Applicant's compliance with the six conditions as proposed, with Condition #1 amended to reflect hours of operation between 6:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The motion was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried unanimously. The hearing was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Continuation of Regular Meeting: The regular meeting was called to order at 8:01 p.m.
Bid Award: Road Material Bids were received at the April 30, 2001 administrative meeting. Board members reviewed the attached chart listing all bids for delivered and F.O.B. road materials, with notations made for primary and secondary awards. A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz, seconded by Mrs. Perkins, to award bids as presented; the motion carried unanimously.
Minutes: Unanimous approval was granted for minutes of April 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 upon a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins.
Reports: Treasurer's Report - The following April 30, 2001 account balances were reported: General Fund Balance, $26,060.85; State Fund, $97,962.59; Kimberton Sewer Fund, $18,373.68; Township Building Loan, $710,428.09; St. Stephens Greene Sewer Fund, $24,875.92; and St. Stephens Greene Water Fund, $23,510.31. Police Report - Police Chief Karl Jones reported that the Police Department responded to 56 calls in April. The Department investigated theft of construction materials on Conestoga Road and a vehicle fire on Beaver Hill Road; issued 14 citations on the opening day of fishing season; made one arrest for probation violation; and conducted several traffic details on Horseshoe Trail, St. Matthews Road, and Hollow Road. Solicitor's Report - Solicitor Greenwood reported working on a mortgage subordination agreement pertaining to a property in the Kimberton Sewer District and advertising the Snow and Ice Emergency Ordinance, Parks and Recreational Facilities Regulations Ordinance, and three conditional use hearings.
Correspondence: Correspondence was received from the Chester County Health Department announcing that the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry is scheduled to spray about 413 acres in Chester County for gypsy moth caterpillars beginning on May 5th. Residents who wish to receive consideration for inclusion in the 2002 program, should register their name, address, telephone number and tax parcel number with the Township office.
Subdivision/Land Development/Zoning: Patrick McCabe was present to ascertain confirmation from the Board that, if and when constructed, the Route 100 By-Pass will have curb cuts to access properties along its route. Mr. McCabe understood the Route 100 By-Pass is not a sure certainty and the location may change, the road may not be built, and a new Board of Supervisors may take a different approach. The intent of the Township regarding the Route 100 By-Pass is described in the West Vincent Township Zoning Ordinance and Official Map. The Board gave Mr. McCabe reasonable assurance of general access conditioned upon compliance with zoning and subdivision regulations and subject to the limitations stated above.
Upper Uwchlan Township Supervisors Charles Lobb and Donald Carlson were present to review for the Board and residents their Transportation Improvement Plan for the Village of Eagle including:
-Route 100 by-pass located east of the current Route 100
-Connector Roads: Eaglepointe Boulevard - current Route 100 to Park Road Park Road Extension - Eagle By-Pass to current Route 100 Darrell Drive - current Route 100 to Little Conestoga Road -Signalization of Route 100 and Park Road and Park Road and Little Conestoga Road -Substantial improvements at the Little Conestoga Road/Byers Road/Route 100 intersection
Mutual areas of concern mentioned by Mr. Lobb were the Eagle Farms Development, emergency services, and the municipal sewer plant proposed for the "old tank farm" on Route 100 north of Fellowship Road.
The Board unanimously acknowledged receipt of a subdivision extension agreement for the Long Lane Subdivision Plan extending review time to September 1, 2001 upon a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins.
An agreement for subdivision review extension to September 1, 2001 for the Dawes Farm Subdivision Plan was acknowledged with a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins; the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Brachwitz moved to acknowledge receipt of an agreement for subdivision review extension to May 29, 2001 for the Laymen's Home Missionary Movement Subdivision Plan; the motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
An agreement for subdivision review extension to June 30, 2001 for the Hankin Tract (By-Right) Subdivision Plan 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 - Weatherstone Subdivision Plan extending review time to June 30, 2001 upon a motion from Mr. Brachwitz and second from Mrs. Perkins.
An application to the Zoning Hearing Board was received from Hoffman and Levin Partnership, 298 Black Horse Road, requesting a variance from Section 1102B.9.d. of the Township Zoning Ordinance for relief from the 100' setback requirement for a building with overnight accommodations for animals on the former Sunrise Restaurant property. The hearing will be held Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 7:00 p.m.
Old Business: Solicitor Greenwood reviewed the Traffic Signal Maintenance Contract Renewal; Manager Heist will contact Signal Service Inc. with Mr. Greenwood's comments and questions.
Correspondence was received from PennDOT advising that the Department will upgrade the existing warning signs for South Chester Springs Road by installing oversized 48" x 48" signs on Conestoga Road between St. Matthews Road and Dewees Lane. Prior to the completion of the bridge project on South Chester Springs Road, "NO LEFT TURN" signs will be installed on eastbound Conestoga Road and "ALL TRAFFIC MUST TURN RIGHT" signs will be installed on the north side of South Chester Springs Road. Manager Heist will advise nearby residents.
PennDOT approved the Township’s request to post a "STOP/EXCEPT RIGHT TURN" sign on southwest bound Hollow Road at School House Lane.
A proposal for engineering services was received from Klein and Hoffman, Inc. for the repair or replacement of the existing stone arch culvert structure located approximately 100 feet west of the Flowing Springs Road Bridge (closed bridge). Estimated costs for design and construction engineering services is $19,800 and estimated replacement cost of the structure is $90,000 - $125,000. The culvert spans over a shallow mill race that feeds Birch Run and serves as an overflow by-pass during flood conditions. Adjacent property owners, Robert and Marilee Ward would like the Township to maintain the stone masonry arch original to the site and believed to be more than 150 years old. Manager Heist will look into the availability of historical or FEMA funding for the repairs.
Mr. Brachwitz reported reviewing the three proposals received on April 23rd from Choiniere's Painting, David Ryder Painting, and Professional Painting to paint the interior walls of the Evans farmhouse and found the low bidder to be qualified. Mr. Brachwitz moved to award the interior paint bid to the low bidder, Choiniere's Painting, in the amount of $3,720.00 (base bid of $3,270 plus $125 for waterproof primer on the first floor and $325 for the stairway window, hallway ceiling, and banister); the motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
Manager Heist will obtain estimates for renovations to the Farmhouse required by PA Labor and Industry prior to rental.
The Township received a check in the amount of $700 from the PA Council on the Arts for the support of a pass through matching grant to the Chester Springs Studio. Since the grant request and budget line item for Township match was for $1000, Chairman Miller requested a copy of the motion and/or budget prior to releasing funds.
PennDOT will attend the July 9th Board meeting to update the public on the South Chester Springs Road Bridge project. Notification will be sent to neighboring property owners.
New Business: A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz to approve the PennDOT Winter Traffic Services Agreement in which the Township provides snow and ice removal on Hollow Road, between Flowing Springs Road to the covered bridge and Flowing Springs Road, between Hollow Road and St. Matthews Road for a total cost of $3,026.40. The agreement reflects an increase in the per lane mile rate to $582 and provides for an after-the-season payment based on the severity of the winter. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and carried unanimously.
Mr. Miller stated several residents have contacted him regarding the temporary closing of the trail easement on the Potter property, Davis Lane; Mrs. Perkins will informally contact Mr. Potter. Jane Gaffer questioned the closing of the trail on the Siana property; Manager Heist will look into the issue.
A motion was made by Mr. Brachwitz, seconded by Mr. Miller, to authorize Solicitor Greenwood to review the Zoning Hearing Board Decision in regards to the Cynthia Clark application seeking a variance in order to permit her to maintain six dogs on her twelve acre parcel, rather than the four permitted by the ordinance. The motion carried with Brachwitz and Miller voting in favor; Perkins opposed.
Bills List: Mr. Brachwitz made a motion to pay the bills on the Bills List dated May 14, 2001; 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 9:55 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, |