Present: EAC - Marlou Gregory (Chair), Steve Kunz (ViceChair), Ian Plant and Jerry O’Dell.
Board of Supervisors (BOS): Laurie Williams (BOS Liaison to EAC), Lee Ledbetter and Jim Morrisson.
Citizens Environmental Sub-Committee: Nil.
Meeting called to order at 7:40pm.
EAC Minutes: The minutes of the previous August meeting were read and, subject to a change of title, approved. After some discussion regarding the status of the ‘minutes’ and taking into account the fact that the record is not a verbatim transcript of all statements made during each meeting, it was decided that henceforth the record of proceedings for each meeting would be called a ‘Meeting Summary’. Additionally, there was an enquiry from the floor regarding how the public could view the approved minutes. There was some confusion over what methods are currently available, but it was agreed that they should be available on the twp website. Mr. Plant agreed to ask the Twp Manager to publish them when forwarding the final approved version for the record.
Announcements:
Mrs. Gregory provided details of the upcoming Township Founder’s Day event to be held from 11am to 1pm on 8 Nov at Moore Hall.
Public Participation: Nil
New Business:
Whitehorse Road Bridge: Prior to the meeting, EAC members had received copies of a letter from Mackin Engineering which invited comment upon the accuracy of answers to the land use questions provided in support of PennDOT’s intended application for a DEP permit in order to undertake construction of a replacement bridge where Whitehorse Road crosses the western end of Pickering Creek Reservoir. This had been followed by copies of the associated PennDOT Categorical Exclusion Evaluation (CEE). Within these documents, the EAC had noted several statements which appeared to be incorrect and worthy of a response to DEP within the 30 day comment period (by 13 Nov):
- Trails: The Land Use questionnaire indicates that the project plan for the bridge is consistent with the existing municipal comprehensive plans, and under ‘Public Facilities and Services’, the CEE states ‘State Bike Route S crosses the existing bridge. The new bridge will accommodate the Bike Route with a widened shoulder. No sidewalks exist along any of the roadways in the project area and none are proposed for the future, no sidewalks are planned for the proposed bridge.’ Mr. Plant suggested that with regard to sidewalks, this is incorrect because the Schuylkill Open Space, Recreation and Environmental Resources Plan details two proposed trails that would cross the reservoir at the bridge (OSRERP page 121 Trail A(East Pikeland to Twp building) and Trail C (Twp Building to elementary School)). Mr. Ledbetter explained that although the Twp would like to have a walkway over the bridge, the bridge is being replaced as an emergency repair and that no material improvements are allowed within the funding mechanism. He went on to explain that as an alternative, the Twp intends in the future to construct a footbridge on the reservoir side of the new road bridge, linking directly into the Twp park. The EAC considered that DEP should be informed that the bridge plans are not fully consistent with existing Twp plans in relation to trails, in order to ensure that there is no adverse effect on any future permit application from the Twp for construction of a footbridge.
- Regional Plan: Mr. Kunz noted that the Land Use questionnaire indicated that only a draft multi-municipality plan existed. Mr. Ledbetter confirmed that the regional plan was no longer a draft as it had been formally endorsed by the regional authorities.
- Zoning Approval: Mr Kunz suggested that the Land Use questionnaire assertion that the project does not require zoning approval should be checked.
- Wetlands: Mr. Kunz indicated that the CEE stated that although there are wetlands in the construction area, they are not EV wetlands. He explained that the EV Wetlands issue currently being investigated in relation to the development of the Reeves Property applies equally to this project. The EAC agreed that PA Code Title 25 Article 105.17(1)(iv) indicates that the wetlands due to be disturbed are classified as EV Wetlands and that this error in the application should be highlighted to the applicant. It was considered important that a consistent approach be applied in the treatment of both projects currently affected by this determination and that DEP should be informed of this error.
The EAC considered that a response to the Mackin letter should be sent by the BOS and Mr. Kunz agreed to draft a letter for BOS approval and signature prior to the response deadline.
Open Space Commission Update: Mr. Ledbetter advised the EAC that discussions regarding the Thompson property are progressing in conjunction with representatives from Charlestown Twp. He indicated that within the golf course tract there is likely to be new trail development and that a parcel of land for a possible trailhead has been identified. The EAC noted that this work had been taking place without EAC representation within any discussions, even though EAC has trails responsibility, and was concerned that the anticipated collaboration between the Open Space, Environmental, Historical and Planning Commissions appeared to be less than had been intended when the OSC was established. Mrs. Williams indicated an intention to propose to the BOS that there should be formal EAC representation at OSC meetings.
Clean Energy – Outstanding Actions: The EAC agreed to recommend that, subject to acceptability of cost, the twp purchases 20% of its clean energy from PECOWind (the minimum target) and 80% from non-PA generated Native Energy. Post Meeting Note: Mrs. Gregory provided this recommendation to the October BOS meeting.
Environmental Committee: No activity reported. Outstanding Actions: Mrs. Gregory and Mrs. Bowser will discuss further the full scope of activities for the sub-committee. Mrs. Bowser to meet with Mr. Plant to determine a way forward for a Twp Environmental Website.
Grants:
PADEP Local Government Greenhouse Gas Pilot Grant Program: No activity reported.
Outstanding Action: Mrs. Bowser to disseminate Treevitalize grant information to HomeOwners Associations.
Old Business:
Trails: Mr. Plant explained that he is working with Mr. Michael Hott from Chester County GIS Department to produce a number of GIS overlays that can be used to assist EAC work not only in relation to trails, but also in relation to property development proposals in general. Overlays have so far been requested to show for the twp: Aerial Photo, Lot Parcels, Roads, Hydrographic Data, Contours, Floodplains, and Wetlands, and it is intended to then produce overlays that map existing and planned trails, both within the Twp and also in the adjoining areas of neighboring municipalities. He anticipated that the first of the requested overlays should be available by the next EAC meeting and that the others would be developed over the next few months. It was suggested that a useful overlay addition would be to identify which lot parcels contained approved trail easements. Mr. Plant agreed to include this in his work. Outstanding Action: The EAC recommended that there should be a moratorium on expenditure for further trail development within the twp until a GIS overlay has been produced which identifies existing and proposed trails, and the respective environmental impact considered for each proposed trail (Mrs. Gregory for action). Post Meeting Note: Mrs. Gregory provided this recommendation to the October BOS meeting.
Rails-to-Trails (RTT): Mr. Plant indicated that a formal letter of support from Schuylkill BOS had been received by the RTT project. He also explained that in addition to producing the GIS overlays described above, he is also working with Mr. Hott to produce a regional overlay covering the area of the proposed RTT route.
Toonerville Trolley Trail: No activity reported.
Operation Safe Kids/Rte 29 Sidewalk: Mrs. Gregory described Mr. Kreider’s e-mail response to questions regarding the EAC’s involvement in the early stages of this project. There was concern that some of the normal pre-approval activities, such as conducting a PNDI search and developing a JD for the preserve may not have occurred, but Mr. Ledbetter suggested that it was now too late for these activities as bids for the construction work were now awaited. Noting that construction was imminent, and that action to mitigate previously aired concerns about the potential for damage to trees on the Rte 29 part of the trail was reported to have been omitted from the bid documentation, Mr O’Dell agreed to write to the BOS with a recommendation that a certified arborist should be employed to supervise all pruning activities to the trees and their root systems in that area.
Environmental Overlay: Mr. Kunz explained the origins of the latest draft received and noted the concern over the extent of unexplained changes to the previous draft supplied to the EAC. He agreed to invite Gilmore representation at a future EAC meeting to explain the construct of the new document. As far as time permitted, the EAC examined the latest draft and developed change proposals where considered necessary. This work will be continued at subsequent EAC meetings.
Pickering Preserve: No activity reported. Outstanding Actions: Mr. Cram to arrange later in the Summer for TreeWrap to be applied to the young trees that have been recently planted, to prevent their destruction (when at the same time the fencing is removed) through ‘Buck Rub’. Mr. Kunz to seek guidance from Mrs. Bowser regarding the long term future for the ‘Rain Garden’. 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..
Deer Hunting on Pickering Preserve – No activity reported. Outstanding Actions: Mr. Cram to contact PGC to seek guidance on deer population control. Mr. O’Dell agreed to arrange for the twp Roads Crew to erect the new warning signs at locations agreed as: at the parking lot beside the mown path entrance to the upper preserve; adjacent to the entrance to the lower preserve from the YMCA site.
Trash Pick-Up Project – No activity reported. Outstanding Action: Mr. Cram to e-mail a list of suitable Community Service Projects to the Probation Department.
Northern Federation’s Development of a Regional Park and Recreation Strategic Plan (RPRSP): No activity reported. Outstanding Action: Mr. Frasch to review the draft plan and then liaise with Mr. Plant to provide a coordinated response which takes account of the other concurrent initiatives.
SALDO Tree List - Outstanding Action: Mr. O’Dell to look at the list and determine whether any changes should be recommended.
Brake Ordinance – No activity reported.
Old Schuylkill Elementary School (Environmental Showcase Plan): No activity reported.
Treevitalize: No activity reported.
Township Web Site: Outstanding Action: Mr. Kreider to prompt the Twp Manager that some updates to the Twp Web site are needed to reflect current EAC membership positions.
EAC Budget: Outstanding Action: Mr. Kreider undertook to provide a statement of the status of funding available within the EAC budget.
Developments:
EDC – No activity reported. Outstanding Action: Mr. Kunz to send the letter produced following his review of the development plans, once it has been amended to reflect the impact of the subsequent plans revision. Post Meeting Note: The EAC review letter (recommending approval) was sent 24 Sep and distributed by the Twp Manager to the BOS and the applicant.
Reeves Property – Mr. Kunz reported that since the last EAC meeting an on-site meeting with DEP had occurred which, whilst intended to resolve the classification issue, had instead exposed DEP confusion in relation to implementation of DEP regulations regarding EV wetlands. He understood that the matter had now been passed to the DEP legal department for clarification/determination. In light of the involvement of legal professionals in this debate, it was agreed that Mrs. Gregory should request Twp legal assistance at the next BOS meeting. Mr. Kunz agreed to provide to Mr. Brennan copies of the related documentation thus far produced. Outstanding Action: Mr. Kunz to provide an update in relation to validity of the permits issued when he has received a response from DEP to clarify the wetlands classification.
Pasquale Pond – Mrs. Gregory reported that a meeting had been held with the developer, DEP and others to determine an implementation plan for restoration of the pond. She explained that initial grading and seeding is likely to occur in the spring of 2009, following which the hydrology effects of the development will be observed for one year before extensive planting in 2010. The developer is currently finalizing his plans before submitting them for Twp and DEP approval, following which the Twp will need to produce a 5-year monitoring plan. Outstanding Action: Mrs. Gregory to conduct an overall environmental review of the proposals and inform the BOS of any issues arising from the review.
Announcements: None
Meeting Adjourned at 00:00am