WEST VINCENT TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

MINUTES -- DECEMBER 3, 2001
 
CONDITIONAL USE HEARING

 

The third conditional use hearing to consider the application of Toll Brothers, Inc. and Orleans Homebuilders, Inc. was held on the above date at the Township Building. Vice Chairman Karl Brachwitz called the public hearing to order at 7:38 p.m.; others in attendance were Supervisor Zoë Perkins, Township Manager Allen Heist, Township Code Enforcement Officer Robert Wideman, Township Engineer Craig Kologie, Solicitor Fronefield Crawford, Supervisor-Elect Clare Quinn, Jane Opie, court reporter, and Louis J. Colagreco Jr., Esquire, representing the applicants.

 

The purpose of the hearing was to take formal action on the application of a conditional use permitted under Section 1704.B.1.d. of the West Vincent Township Zoning Ordinance to regrade within certain areas of precautionary steep slopes, creating areas of cut and fills and a request for relief pursuant to Section 1704.B.2 and Section 2306 of the Township Zoning Ordinance pertaining to construction or improvements within High Ground Water Areas, in conjunction with the proposed development of the Ewing Tract, located at Eagle Farms Road and South Chester Springs Road in the R-3 Zoning District.

 

During the previous hearing held November 19th, Neal Camens, a Civil Engineer with Taylor, Wiseman & Taylor completed testimony pertaining to high water table encroachment areas. The hearing resumed with questions from Township Engineer Craig Cologie regarding floodplain delineation, which will be submitted to the Township.

 

Louis J. Colagreco Jr., Esquire submitted for the record Exhibit A-13, three sheets entitled "High Water Table Soils Plan" revised December 5, 2001, showing the surveyed locations of the high water table area near the proposed development and Exhibit A-14, three sheets entitled, "Stormwater Management Plan", revised December 5, 2001. Mr. Camens presented testimony regarding the forty-one areas of steep slope encroachments related to the proposed construction of driveways, stormwater management features, and cuts and fills as he reviewed Exhibit A-14. It was noted that Street A (the former Eagle Farms Road and main road through the subdivision) was relocated from previous plans, resulting in a reduction of retaining walls. Mr. Colagreco submitted into the record Exhibit A-15, a representative picture of the proposed retaining wall as constructed for the rear entrance to Whiteland Woods Development in Exton. Mr. Brachwitz, Mrs. Perkins, Manager Heist, Township Engineer Craig Kologie, Code Enforcement Officer Robert Wideman, and Solicitor Crawford asked questions seeking clarification of the evidence presented pertaining to the following issues:

 

  • Retaining Walls - maintenance responsibility (H.O.A); retaining walls will be made of pre-cast concrete with decorative block front; split rail fence with wire attached will be placed on the top of the wall; plantings are proposed for the two-tiered retaining wall areas.
  • Redesigning the proposed lot and street plan to minimize the areas of encroachment and disturbance.
  • Relocation of Court B units to Street J to avoid encroachment.
  • Redesigning Street E and cul-de-sac to avoid encroachment areas 30 and 31.
  • Total number of acres in precautionary slope district and prohibitive slope district. (unknown, but applicant will provide) The acres or percent of woodlands versus non-woodlands proposed to be disturbed. (unknown, but applicant will provide)
  • 10% reduction in greenway; 97% of the prohibitive slope in greenway (Zoning Ordinance Section 1903C.3. requires 100%)
  • Location of areas not consistent with SLDO Section 702 pertaining to cuts and fills in steep slopes.
  • Percent of impervious cover within proposed lots located in the Steep Slope District (Zoning Ordinance Section 1704 A. 11).

 

Party Harry Griendling cross-examined the witness regarding the proposed retaining wall on Lots 80 through 85 (the retaining wall will be five feet at the highest point, approximately 250' in length, forty feet off the property line, and the proposed houses will be a minimum of forty feet from the wall) and the relocation of Street A (former Eagle Farms Road).

 

Upon completion of questions and cross-examination of Mr. Camens, the conditional use hearing in connection with the application of Toll Brothers, Inc. and Orleans Homebuilders, Inc. will resume with testimony from Code Enforcement Officer Robert Wideman, Township Engineer Craig Kologie, and Party Harry Griendling on Monday, December 17, 2001 at 7:30 p. m. at the West Vincent Township Building.

 

It was noted that all exhibits and supplemental materials are available for review at the Township Office, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

The hearing was adjourned at 9:48 p.m.