Present: EAC- Rebekah Bowser, Marlou Gregory, Jeff Amerine, Andrew Kreider and Earl Cram.
Board of Supervisors (BOS): Lee Ledbetter, Jim Morrisson Absent: Steve Kunz
Meeting called to order at 7:35pm, minutes were read and approved.
Announcements: Jeff Amerine was thanked for his years of service to the township.
Public Participation: Township resident and neighbor to the Brackman property Paul Tashjin encouraged the EAC to use its clout to advocate for the environment in land developments. Mrs. Gregory will write a letter to the BOS recommending township representation at the Brackman’s zoning hearing board. The letter will also reflect the EAC’s recommendation to keep the zoning on the property unchanged.
New Business:
EAC Open Seats - Mrs. Bowser announced she would be vacating her position as soon as new candidates could be accepted. She will continue to serve the EAC from a committee. Two of the applicants that were interviewed in February were in attendance: Ian Plant and Jerry O’Dell. A third applicant, Stephen Frasch, was unable to attend tonight. No other applicants were present for the three open EAC positions.
Open Space Commission Update: Land preservation via a deed restriction versus a conservation easement was discussed. Mrs. Gregory stated this could be an issue for the Open Space Committee. Mrs. Bowser brought up the belief that land is not truly preserved unless it is also managed for prevention of invasive species. Mrs. Gregory will forward a PNDI application to Open Space chairperson Bob Cooney for the Bald Eagle whose presence had been sighted on the Nolan property at Ferry Lane and Pawlings Road.
Land Developments:
1096 W. Bridge St. - Mr. Kunz will wrote an EAC letter recommending BOS approval with the exception of a change to the driveway to save a large caliper tree and updated the landscape plans to include only native plants.
Reeves Property – Mrs. Gregory reported on an issue that had come up since the last EAC meeting. A question of how much wetland disturbance was noted on the development plans versus how much disturbance was noted on the permit application Pohlig Builders submitted to the DEP was addressed in a letter to DEP, authored by Mr. Kunz. The response from Del Val Soils’ Tom Cordry was inflammatory and accusational. Mr. Kunz replied in a letter stating that the EAC was justified in that in the course of doing its due diligence asked the DEP to require the permits for the stream crossing to be individual, not general. Gilmore and Associates’ engineer John Sartor measured the wetlands and found it to be less than 0.05 acre. The EAC agreed to write a letter to the BOS recommending the disapproval of the plans until a list of outstanding issues are resolved. When the applicant completes its Zoning Hearing Board decision the EAC will take another look at the plans. Mr. Jim Morrisson, a township supervisor, presented photos, diagrams and charts related to the tree removal at the stream crossing. He researched and found the actual number to be much higher than the number quoted by Mr. Todd Pohlig at the EAC’s February meeting. He also brought up the hedgerow of arborvitae along the cartway of this plan. The tree protection zones of these trees extend into the proposed cartway which would, according to the township’s Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, disallow placing a road there. Mr. Ledbetter suggested that the EAC recommend to the BOS that the approval of the plans be contingent upon mitigating root damage in the TPZ of these trees. It was also suggested that Pohlig contact the neighbors who own the trees to secure an agreement of how the trees will be protected and/or replaced if damaged by the construction. Friday, April 11th was agreed upon to view the area of tree removal at the stream crossing with Pohlig Builders. Mr. Ledbetter suggested the EAC ask Pohlig to delineate the entire area of tree removal prior to this meeting. Mr. Kreider suggested asking Aqua PA what their position on this development plan is; Mrs. Gregory will contact twp. supervisor Barbara Cohen who is meeting with Aqua on a separate matter.
Old Business:
Natural Resources Protection Overlay - Discussion will be in April so that Gilmore & Associates can review our collective changes and incorporate them into a revised version of the draft Ordinance. Mrs. Bowser stated the woodland protection section should remain intact.
Treevitalize – Mrs. Bowser met with the township roads dept. to mark the planting holes along SR 29. The planting there would occur on Friday with the holes filled in by high school students during the school day the week of April 7th. Fifteen remaining trees from the grant money will be planted along Pothouse Road once a decision is made by the BOS as to the site. The Great PA Cleanup and tree-planting project was given approval at the March BOS meeting and will commence on 3/30.
Trails- Mr. Cram and Supervisor Mrs. Cohen met with two HOA presidents to discuss the feasibility of connecting the Pickering Glen trail via the Pickering Preserve to the Horseshoe Trail.
Clean Energy Campaign- Mr. Kreider noted that at least 30 more sign ups are needed. He contacted the Schuylkill School and Home Association (SSHA) president Enid Casiano to develop a partnership for signup rebates from PECO. She plans to discuss it with her group at their next meeting on April 2nd.
Lighting at YMCA- Lee Ledbetter met with the YMCA regarding their outdoor lighting. The lights have already been purchased for the new building and not in compliance with the lighting ordinance. They will be notified that their lights will need to be in compliance within the required 3 years.
Meeting Adjourned at 11:15pm