The meeting of the Board of Supervisors, held in the Township Building, was called to order at 7:35 p.m.  In attendance were: Supervisors Ken Miller, Claire Quinn, and Zoë Perkins; also in attendance were Township Manager, Allen Heist and Township Solicitor, Allan Greenwood.

Correspondence

Open Burning Ban:  The County of Chester, Department of Emergency Services, has advised that the County-wide Burn Ban has been extended for an additional 30 days.  The extension goes into effect on April 22 and expires on May 21, 2002.

Resident Complaint On Early Recycling & Garbage Pickup:  The Board of Supervisors will look into Township options in this matter.  The Board may have to revisit the necessity of some type of ordinance change.   Within two weeks the Board will be contacting Mr. Raban, the complaining resident, regarding a decision.

Subdivisions/Land Development/Zoning

F&PCCT – Penrose Property, Beaver Hill Road:  The Trust has an opportunity to purchase an easement for $395,000, and as the Township had previously set aside $85,000 to assist the Trust on easement purchases close to the Creek they would like to draw on these funds.  Both Supervisor Quinn and Perkins agreed that it would be a good idea to release these funds as it will remove the possibility of building approximately 18 homes on the site and protect some of the rare plant specimens located on the site.  Chester County and the State have committed a substantial sum of money to this purchase.   Supervisor Miller made a motion to release these funds by January 31, 2003, Supervisor Quinn seconded, a vote was taken and the motion was unanimously passed.

Columbia Gas Transmission Corp. – Notice of FERC Approval Application/GAI, April 8 Letter/Delaware Valley Energy – Expansion Project:  The purpose of this application is to replace 14-inch pipeline with 24-inch pipeline between Eagle and the Downingtown Station.  A small part of the Township along Fellowship Road would be affected.  The Board requested a list of Township property owners involved.  Allen Heist will formulate the letter.

Hankin - Weatherstone Subdivision – Pump & Haul Agreement:  Attorney Whitmer, representing Hankin, advised that they have received a “green light” in a letter from Township Engineer, Craig Kologie, and are thus seeking approval of the application subject to signature on the letter of agreement between both parties.  Hankin estimates the cost as follows:  .035 cents a gallon, 41 dwelling sites, $346.94 per day, for a total cost of $83,265.  Hankin offered $2,030.40 per unit.  After some discussion with Allan Greenwood and the Board, Hankin agreed to round the figure up to $2,850 with the Township receiving a check, or a letter of credit. Allan Greenwood was seeking $3,200.    Hankin will return with a final proposal for the Board of Supervisors' April 29 meeting. At the Board's request, they will also provide a resolution to Hankin violations on the erosion and sedimentation controls.   The Board indicated they were all in favor of the pump and haul agreement contingent on agreement on the final escrow amount.  Hankin advised that on Monday they would also like to talk about the Home Owners Agreement, which Allan Greenwood is working on.

Applications for Conditional Use – Yohn, 2834 Buttonwood Lane and Hopesprings Equestrian Therapy, Inc. for Kimberton Camphill Village Therapeutic Riding Facilities:  Both applications are scheduled to be heard at a special night meeting on Monday, June 17, commencing at 7:30 p.m.

Toll Bros./Orleans Builders (Ewing) – Subdivision Extension Agreement (4/22/02):  Chris Luning submitted subdivision extension agreements (major and minor plans) to the Board.  He also advised that the landscaping plan should be available by May 9.  Regarding the areas set aside for active sports they have 18.25 acres.  Pat Thercall is welcome to review the trail plans.  Resident concern was expressed regarding noise and light and the issue of a fence.  Toll will again review these matters.  Regarding the minor plan extension, Supervisor Quinn made motion to approve the extension until May 31, supervisor Perkins seconded the motion; a vote was taken and unanimously carried.  On the major plan extension, Supervisor Quinn moved to extend to May 31, Supervisor Perkins seconded the motion, a vote was taken and the motion was unanimously carried.

Traffic Impact Review:  Township Manager, Allen Heist, will be advised regarding possible meeting dates. 

Old Business

Ordinance Amendments:  Township Manager, Allen Heist, outlined the changes in the proposed two ordinances (zoning and subdivision).    With changes made to the verbiage on the Agricultural Operations Setback section, it was agreed that the ordinances would be ready for advertisement.  Allan Greenwood will prepare the notices.

Guide Rail – Flowing Springs Road at Birch Run:  Discussion was held regarding the Gannett Fleming letter dated April 10 enclosing a sketch plan, specification detail and cost estimates that can be used by the Township to bid the installation of the proposed guide rail.

CC Conservation District April 15 Letter – Erosion & Sedimentation Control Plan/Repairs to Bridge over Birch Run:  After review by the Chester County Conservation District the project has been found to be adequate to satisfy the requirements of Chapter 102, Erosion and Sedimentation Control Rules and Regulations.

Geoplan – Property Records Software:  Cost of contract $6,500, with a similar estimated cost for training and backup service.  It was noted that the funds are in this year's budget.   Allan Greenwood does have some questions, but should have it out to the Township tomorrow.  Allen Heist will call the company and find out if there is any change in price change as the contract is over a year old.

New Business

Traffic Signal Maintenance Contract Renewal/Signal Service Inc.:  Allan Greenwood would like to review the contract further.

Fences Within Trail Easements:   It was noted that the time is approaching when some of these easements will be opened.  While it was suggested that some type of monitoring of trail easements might be helpful, it was decided that it is not a very practical solution.  The Board was in agreement, however, that there is no reason to allow fencing.

EAC – Membership (Vicki Laubach to 12/31/04; Ashton Jones to 12/31/03; and Donald Cook to 12/31/02):  Motion was made by Supervisor Perkins to approve the outlined memberships, Supervisor Quinn seconded the motion, a vote was taken resulting in two yes (Perkins & Quinn) and one no vote (Miller), and the motion approving memberships was passed.

Proposed Legislation – Water Resources:  Discussion was held regarding three bills presently before the legislature, House Bill 2230, Senate Bill 1230 and House Bill 1591.  It was noted that the bills do not really do much and one even weakens the exceptional value stream designation.  Supervisor Quinn's reaction is that the package should be rejected from the beginning because it is so weak.  It was suggested that the Board look into the possibility of writing a letter to the sponsoring representatives voicing opposition to the passage of these bills at this time.

Countyside Exchange:  The Phoenixville Region has been selected to participate.   The average cost for the week is expected to be between $6,000-8,000 and it is hoped that the Township will contribute approximately $1,000 towards these expenses.  Supervisor Perkins noted that the $1,000 should be committed and made motion to spend this money.  Supervisor Quinn seconded the motion, a vote was taken and the motion was unanimously carried.

Business from the Floor

Proposed Subdivision Application of the Griffith Property:  Residents voiced their concerns regarding the noise levels which would be generated by 200+ families.   Question was raised regarding the Tier 5 designation and whether it enables the building of apartments, the response was yes.  The Board also made note to the residents of various aspects: Supervisor Perkins has tried at length to interest organizations in purchasing the property; responsible regional planning dictates that the proximity to Routes 100 and 401 place the area in question first in line for this type of development within the Township; and, that the adjacent acres in East Nantmeal Township are zoned for four dwelling units per acre and, with no easements in place, the Board must view the property as zoned, not as what might later be given to easement.

Adjournment

Business being concluded the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 pm.  The next scheduled evening meeting is set for May 13, commencing at 7:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Gerry Echevarria
Township Secretary