WEST VINCENT TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MINUTES -- JANUARY 28, 2002
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Conditional
Use Hearing: The fifth 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 Zoë Perkins called the public
hearing to order at 7:35 p.m.; others in attendance were Supervisor Clare
Quinn, Township Manager Allen Heist, Township Engineer Craig Kologie, Solicitor
Richard Morton, Thomas Corcoran, court reporter, and Louis J. Colagreco Jr.,
Esquire, representing the applicants. Chairman Kenneth Miller and Township
Solicitor Allan Greenwood were in attendance, however were not participating in
the conditional use hearing proceedings. 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 and Sections 1704.B.2 and 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. Solicitor Morton submitted for the record Exhibit HG-3, correspondence dated January 28, 2002
to the West Vincent Township Board of Supervisors from Party Harry Griendling. Louis J. Colagreco Jr., Esquire submitted for the
record Exhibit A-17, a three page plan entitled
"Preliminary Stormwater Management Plan" dated January 16, 2002; Exhibit A-18, entitled "Revised Layout for
Conditional Use Hearings" dated January 28, 2002; and Exhibit A-19, entitled "Steep Slope
Encroachment Sheet", a key chart that corresponds with the numerical
notations on Exhibit A-18. Neal Camens, a Civil Engineer with Taylor,
Wiseman & Taylor reviewed the revised plan and noted the following:
Solicitor Morton and Township Engineer Craig Kologie
asked questions seeking clarification of the evidence presented. The revised
plan shows no disturbance in prohibitive slopes, disturbance in precautionary
slopes may be slightly less than 28%, and cuts and fills will not exceed 33%.
Township Engineer Craig Kologie reported he has reviewed the revised plan and
found it to be consistent with testimony given at the December 17, 2001
hearing. Exhibits A-17 through A-19 and HG-3
were admitted into evidence and since there was no further testimony, questions,
or comments the evidentiary portion of the record was closed. The conditional use hearing in connection with the
application of Toll Brothers, Inc. and Orleans Homebuilders, Inc. was concluded
at 7:48 p.m. and the Decision of the Board will be rendered within 45 days. Public
Hearing: A public hearing regarding an ordinance authorizing
a referendum pursuant to the Open
Space Lands Acquisition and Preservation Act on the question of the imposition of an additional tax at a
specific rate to be imposed to raise revenue to purchase open space property
was called to order by Chairman Miller at 7:50 p.m. The hearing had been duly
advertised as shown by the proof of publication. Chairman Miller read from the ordinance, "a
referendum shall be conducted during the May 2002 primary election for the
registered voters of West Vincent Township to vote whether they are in favor of
the imposition of an additional tax on real estate at the rate of forty-nine
one hundredths of a mill per dollar of assessed value (0.00049) for the
Township to purchase and preserve open space lands." The tax would in
effect double the current Township real estate tax (an amount less than $150
for a property assessed at $300,000) and the tax revenue would be used to
finance a bond specifically designated for the purchase and preservation of
agricultural and natural lands within the Township. The Board is currently
working on criteria for land protection. Peter Rodgers questioned the status of
the debt service imposed for road repairs; the five-year road repair loan
was paid off in July 2000, one year early, and the additional real estate tax
of fifty-four hundredths of a mill was revoked. The hearing was adjourned
at 7:55 p.m. upon a motion from Mrs. Perkins and second from Ms. Quinn. Regular Meeting: The
regular meeting was called to order by Chairman Miller at 7:56 p.m. A motion was made by Mrs. Perkins, seconded by Ms.
Quinn, to adopt Ordinance No. 114-2002, authorizing a referendum pursuant to
the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Preservation Act on the question of the
imposition of an additional tax at a specific rate to be imposed to raise
revenue to purchase open space property and miscellaneous other rules and
regulations; the motion carried unanimously. Correspondence: A letter was received from David Frame, President of
Ludwigs Corner Fire Company requesting financial assistance towards
the purchase of a thermal imaging camera and training for a total cost of
$28,800. Since a contribution check in the amount of $33,600 was forwarded to
Ludwigs Corner Fire Company this month, the request was tabled; however, in the
event of a shortfall, the fire company's request will be reconsidered. The annual Spring
Convention of the Chester County Association of Township Officials will be held Thursday, March 7th
at the Lionville Best Western; Ms. Quinn will attend. Subdivision/Land
Development/Zoning: Mrs. Perkins moved to acknowledge receipt of a
subdivision review extension agreement to February 25, 2002 for the 939
Pottstown Pike Associates Land Development Plan; the motion was seconded by Ms. Quinn and carried unanimously. A motion was made by Mrs. Perkins to acknowledge
receipt of a subdivision review extension agreement to March 31, 2002 for the Weatherstone Plan; the motion was seconded by Ms. Quinn
and carried unanimously. In response to a question from Peter Rodgers, an
Escrow Agreement for remediation work and Certificate of Insurance are in
place; rough grading and the installation of erosion and sedimentation controls
has commenced. The Board unanimously acknowledged receipt of a
subdivision plan from Harriet Stone,
Sara Shick, and Martha Williams for 1210 Davis Lane (Tax Parcels #25-3-131
& 133) showing three lots on 31.072 acres upon a motion from Ms. Quinn and
second from Mrs. Perkins. The Board acknowledged receipt of a conditional
use application from Jon A. Lines,
Sr., who requests adding the
additional use of a mini-storage facility to the existing multiple use
property (Tax Parcels #25-6-68 & 25-6-68.2) at 964
Pottstown Pike as permitted under Section 1102.B.11. & 12. of the Township
Zoning Ordinance. A hearing will be held Monday, March 11, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. at
the Township Building. Timberlake Townes, William Burke, Esquire, Earl
Cooke, and Alex Baggio were present to reopen discussions on the offer of dedication of public improvements
at Wetherill Estates. Mr.
Townes suggested addressing subdivision improvements and the water system as
separate dedication issues. The production well has been abandoned, Chester
County Conservation District has signed off on the project, most punch1ist
items (dated September 10, 2001 and September 14, 2001) have been completed and
any outstanding items are considered as maintenance items to be completed
during the maintenance period as mentioned by the Township Engineer. Mike
Harrington, Wetherill Estates Homeowners Association President, reported that
the HOA punch1ist items have not been resolved. Township Engineer Craig Kologie
will contact Southdown Homes and Mr. Harrington to set up a date for final
inspection of punch1ist items; the offer of dedication will be placed on the
February 11th Board agenda. Old Business: Mrs. Perkins advised that preparations are underway
for the February Township Newsletter with topics including TDRs, a response
to the last newsletter regarding development in the Township, a profile of
newly elected Supervisor Clare Quinn, the drought situation, and the open space
referendum. Manager Heist reported that A.J. Jurich, Inc.,
contractor for the Flowing Springs Road
Bridge Repairs would use
Hollow Road to access the bridge; a follow-up call will be made to Mr.
Loftus, a stonemason, to request his proposal to repair the stone arch culvert
by the next administrative meeting. New Business: An application to include 26.7 acres in the Agricultural Security Area has been received from Fred J.
Uebelhoer, Sr., 800 Fellowship Road (Tax Parcel #25-7-81.1). A
similar application is expected from David Della Porta for 63.7 acres on the
east side of Route 100 (Tax Parcel #25-6-59). Manager Heist will proceed
with advertising the modification to the Agricultural Security Area. West Pikeland Township has received a petition from
the Twin Hills Homeowners Association to vacate
a portion of Eagle Farms Road in West Pikeland Township. Manager Heist will prepare a draft
letter acknowledging receipt of the notification, expressing concern regarding
terminating Eagle Farms Road in West Pikeland Township, advising that the Board
is working on formulating a response to the 27 points made by the homeowners,
and requesting notification of hearing dates. A meeting with the West Vincent,
West Pikeland, and Upper Uwchlan Traffic Engineers and Toll Brothers,
Inc./Orleans Homebuilders, Inc. representatives was suggested. An executive session will be held immediately
following the regular meeting to discuss personnel issues and potential
litigation matters. Bills List: Mrs. Perkins made a motion to pay the bills on the
Bills List dated January 28, 2002; the motion was seconded by Ms. Quinn and carried
unanimously. There being no further business, Ms. Quinn moved
that the meeting be adjourned; the motion was seconded by Mrs. Perkins and the
meeting adjourned at 9:23 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, |