Present: EAC –Marlou Gregory (Chair), Steve Kunz (ViceChair), Ian Plant, Steve Frasch, Doug White and Jerry O’Dell.
Board of Supervisors (BOS): Barbara Cohen, Jim Morrisson and Lee Ledbetter.
Meeting called to order at 7:35pm.
EAC Meeting Summary: The meeting summary of the previous June meeting was read and approved.
Announcements:
Mrs. Gregory advertised the French and Pickering Creek Conservation Trust’s Homegrown Hoedown that will be held at the Trust site at Coventryville on Saturday 1 August. Tickets cost $25 each.
Mr. O’Dell advertised an i-Tree Streets Inventory training course being hosted by Penn State in Malvern on 26/27 August. The course costs $200 but some grants may be forthcoming. It was suggested that if available, that Mr. Plant may wish to attend as the course will be complementary to his recent involvement with GIS mapping. Mr. Plant agreed to consider attending.
Public Participation: Nil
New Business:
Clothier Property: Mrs. Gregory reported that she had received an enquiry from the owner seeking information about whether the twp may wish to buy land on the property, and had directed the owner to the twp Open Space Commission for an answer.
Miller Property: On behalf of Dr. Charles and Mary Miller, Glen E. Kelczewski of Conver & Smith Engineering Inc. described the owner’s intent to apply to the twp to split the existing lot in two, in anticipation of selling the undeveloped lot thus created. He explained that it was not intended to apply for a building permit at this stage, and therefore the plans did not show exactly where any new development may occur, but noted that it would most likely be within the setbacks of the portion of the lot near the roadway, as the remainder of the lot would be a steep slope area. EAC members expressed concern that the new lot was currently covered by a substantial number of trees, many of which would need to be cleared if a building and associated sewage system were to be constructed, and that no stormwater management facilities were proposed for the new lot. Furthermore, it was noted that the twp building permit process does not trigger an environmental review – that is done by the SALDO/Planning Approval process, which the BOS would most likely require to be completed before contemplating approval to divide the lot. Attending members of the BOS suggested that more indication of the likely development of the new lot was needed before the EAC could make worthwhile recommendations to them, and went on to propose that the applicant should attend the next BOS meeting for formal guidance on the best way to proceed.
Phoenixville Middle School: In support of the received Environmental Impact Assessment, Mr. Glenn Harris of Renew Design Group described the developing project to replace the existing Middle School by building a new school on the existing sports field which lies mostly within Phoenixville Borough, and subsequently converting the existing school, some of which lies within Schuylkill twp, to sports field and enlarged stormwater basins. He indicated that within the whole area, 9 trees are slated for removal, with 23 replacements to be planted, and that the design of the new building will incorporate a large range of ‘sustainable’ features. Mrs. Gregory responded that the EAC will give its advice to the Planning Commission following receipt of the review report from the twp Engineer, and suggested that no significant issues are anticipated at this stage.
Aqua Sludge Management Facility: It was noted that the twp had been copied on a Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Index (PNDI) hit that had been issued by PADEP in response to Aqua’s permit request to develop a new Sludge Management Facility between Pickering Reservoir and the Schuylkill River.
Anderson Farm: Mrs. Gregory explained her understanding of a dispute between the owner of the lot containing the original farm and the owner of the adjoining lot with a shared driveway. One of the owners wishes to undertake work which needs needs heavy construction equipment, whilst the other will not permit access through an existing easement. Construction of an alternative access may require removal of a specimen tree (along with some historical features) which the twp is trying to find a way to resolve.
Open Space Commission Update: No activity reported. Outstanding Action: Mr. Plant to participate in a OSC organized trail walk through the Thompson tract on a date to be arranged by the twp manager.
Clean Energy: Mr. Kunz reported that due to a misunderstanding, the pricing feedback from the installer did not cover all possible installation venues for the awaited solar power system. Irrespective of this, a recommendation is being made to the BOS for installation to proceed on the twp building. Additionally, he disclosed that a second and final check for Schuylkill School, for $120, had been received in recognition of the sign-ups achieved during the clean energy campaign, bringing the total received to $340.
Grants: No activity reported.
Old Business:
Whitehorse Road Bridge: No activity reported.
Trails: No activity reported. Outstanding Action: Mr. Plant agreed to discuss the East Pikeland and Phoenixville Borough French Creek trail developments with Mrs. Cohen and also look elsewhere to discover if any formal plans exist from which a course of action for Schuylkill Twp could be determined. Mr. Plant to seek to develop an overlay addition that can identify which lot parcels contain approved trail easements
Rails-to-Trails (RTT): Mr. Plant reported that following a three month wait, a meeting of the RTT group had recently occurred during which it was agreed that action should be taken to determine the current intent of Phoenixville Borough in relation to the project to develop the rail line. Following the repeated failure to obtain funds for the next study phase, this was now unclear, and it was felt that the RTT group may need to refocus their efforts to proceed alone to develop a trail only project. Mr. Ledbetter recommended that the RTT group should follow this course and inform the Borough accordingly.
Toonerville Trolley Trail (TTT): Mr. Plant reported that he had contacted Mr. Mauch seeking information regarding the reported felled trees, but had not received a response. Outstanding Actions: Mr. Plant to confirm exactly where the trail should be in the peripheral areas of the Fernleigh and VFW developments and then address action to remove overgrowth and blockages through the Twp Manager. Mr. Plant to investigate development of a common sign to be erected to indicate trail locations within the twp, with a design consistent with the twp ‘historical site’ sign.
Operation Safe Kids/Rte 29 Sidewalk: No activity reported.
American Ink & Coatings: No activity reported. Outstanding Action: Mr. Plant to generate a feasibility study proposal by Feb 2010 to determine whether a trail link from VFP to the Schuylkill River Trail at Oaks could be constructed, possibly using funding from next year’s EGGS program, once he has determined whether the land owners (Valley Forge Park and Norfolk & Southern Rail) and other stakeholders would be supportive of the proposal. Mr Plant to share his observations regarding trail potential with the Open Space Commission and the Historical Commission.
Environmental Overlay: Following the discussion at the previous EAC meeting, a number of meetings had been held to scrutinize the most recent draft of the Overlay. Mr. Kunz indicated that this work should soon be complete..
Pickering Preserve: No activity reported. Outstanding Actions: Mr. Cram agreed to seek YMCA approval for the Roads Crew to gain access to the lower Preserve from the YMCA property, in order for the existing pathway to be mown in support of Samuel Stearly’s Eagle Scout project.. Mrs. Williams to ask for the PP deed restriction issue to be included in the agenda for the next OSC meeting. Mr. O’Dell to liaise with the Roadmaster to schedule cutting back of invasive species that have overgrown the area of backfill soil beside the car park.
Deer Hunting on Pickering Preserve – Mr. O’Dell reported that one of the two deer hunting signs that were erected last year is missing from its post and could not be located Outstanding Actions: Mr. Cram to contact PGC to seek guidance on deer population control.
Northern Federation’s Development of a Regional Park and Recreation Strategic Plan (RPRSP): No activity reported. Outstanding Action: Mr. Frasch to attend the next meeting of the Federation at which the RPRSP is discussed.
Lyme Disease: No activity reported. Outstanding Action: Mr. White to discuss with Mrs. Williams a proposal to publicize the Lyme Disease public health risk, via an information page on the local public service cable tv channel.
NPDES Permit: No activity reported. Outstanding Action: Once NPDES Permit requirements become clear, Mrs. Gregory to quickly provide budget advice for the twp’s 2010 budget, as there are likely to be new costs involved.
SALDO Tree List – No activity reported.
Brake Ordinance – No activity reported.
Old Schuylkill Elementary School (Environmental Showcase Plan): No activity reported.
Treevitalize: No activity reported.
Township Web Site: No activity reported. Outstanding Action. Mr. Plant agreed to generate a set of suitable MWO reference links for addition to the twp website.
EAC Budget: No activity reported.
Developments:
Sue Ellen Masters Property (100 Ferry Lane) – No activity reported.
Reeves Property – Mr. Kunz reported that following his previously reported request for information from PADEP under ‘Right to Know’ legislation, PADEP had not yet provided any of the requested information. He noted that they are obliged to provide the information within 30 days of receipt of the request, a period that will expire on 31 July.
Pasquale Pond – No activity reported. Outstanding Action. Mr. Ledbetter undertook to check on the status with the Twp Manager as he was aware that the bid documents need to be issued.
Ink and Coatings – No activity reported.
Announcements: Nil
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:30pm.