WEST VINCENT TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MINUTES -- MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2001

The administrative meeting of the Board of Supervisors, held in the Township Building was called to order at 8:08 a.m. by Chairman Kenneth Miller; also in attendance were Supervisors Karl Brachwitz and Zoë Perkins, Township Manager Allen Heist, and Code Enforcement Officer Robert Wideman.

Mrs. Perkins moved to accept the resignation of Police Chief Karl A. Jones effective immediately; the motion was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried unanimously.

Mrs. Perkins moved to appoint F. Michael Swininger as West Vincent Township Police Chief at the current Police Chief salary; the motion was seconded by Mr. Brachwitz and carried unanimously.

Andrew Bellwoar, Esquire was present to discuss the Township Engineer’s review letter concerning the 939 Pottstown Pike Land Development Plan and request clarification on ordinance issues as follows: 

  • Front Yard (Section 1103.B.) and No Parking Areas in Front Yard Setback (Section 2102.A.3) - This section states that the area within the front yard shall be landscaped and shall not contain any parking spaces.  The land development plan proposes a parking lot across most of the frontage of the property.  The proposed parking is pre-existing and a continuation of a non-conforming use, with some expansion (less than 50%).
  • Steep Slope (Section 1704) - The applicant indicated that the slopes are manmade features resulting from previous grading activities; the ordinance does not appear to make a distinction between manmade or naturally occurring slopes.
  • Screening (Section 2102.D.1) - This section requires that a parking lot for a non-residential use shall be screened when it is located next to a residential district or use.  The applicant indicated that the existing 30-40’ trees screen the neighboring residential property.
  • Loading/Unloading Areas (Section 2105.H.) - Two loading spaces are required by this section of the ordinance; the applicant proposes that one loading space for the professional office use will be adequate.
  • Landscaping (Section 2106) - A table has been presented and will address how the applicant intends to comply with the requirements.

Robert Wideman indicated that the Planning Commission would like the Applicant’s request for variances to Zoning Ordinance requirements in place prior to preliminary plan approval recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.  Solicitor Greenwood will be asked to review the issues pertaining to Zoning Ordinance Sections 1103.B., 1704, and 2102.A.3 (Front Yard, No Parking Areas in Front Yard Setback, and Steep Slope Conservation District) prior to the Planning Commission Meeting on October 18, 2001.  The Board indicated a non-binding inclination to agree with the Applicant’s waiver requests regarding landscaping, parking lot screening, and loading/unloading areas.

The Road Crew will proceed with the installation of a 24" plastic pipe to repair the Flowing Springs Road Culvert; since the culvert is not an historic structure and all previous Township Road culvert repairs have utilized plastic pipe, it was determined that an additional $10,000 cost for concrete pipe and stone endwall replacement exceeds budget limitations.

Gannett Fleming, Inc. will be requested to inspect culverts throughout the Township as identified by the Road Crew and submit recommendations regarding guiderail and reflector pole requirements.

The painting project at the Township Farmhouse has been completed; the heating system will be maintained (versus winterized) throughout the winter months.  The Township is awaiting revised cost estimates from Castle Valley Consultants to upgrade the first floor for temporary rental as an office.

The Board discussed subdivision design issues regarding the Della Porta/Griffith property.

Participation in the "Toys for Tots" campaign was tabled and will be reconsidered next year.

As a result of delinquent payments in connection with the Kimberton Sewer Extension Project, Solicitor Greenwood was authorized to proceed with enforcing in full the municipal lien filed against the James and Bonnie Misko property.

Code Enforcement Officer Robert Wideman will obtain additional estimates for automatic level equipment prior to submitting a purchase request.

An executive session was held pertaining to personnel matters (police) and the meeting adjourned at 8:55 a.m.