SCHUYLKILL TOWNSHIP
HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MEETING DATE: August 18, 2008

COMMISSION MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:
Sandy Momyer, Joanne Brown,  Doug White,  John Gregory, Jay Stearly,  Pam Applegate-Frasch

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE:
Jim Morrison, Peter Brown, Resident of Upper Marion Township, Resident of Phoenixville Borough, Tom Daly (ARC), Joe Dunbar (LP Township manager)

Sandy opened the meeting at 7:05

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

  • Approved

CORRESPONDENCE & ANNOUNCEMENTS                     

  • "Thinking Green" seminar to be presented at the township building on 07-Sep at 7:30 pm. 
  • We have been invited to write a book on Schuylkill Township by Arcadia Press.  It would be in the same style as the other books done by them (mostly photographs with captions).  Not sure if we have enough photos to do this.  Joanne will check at Phoenixville Historical Society for photos.  A notice will be placed in the next newsletter requesting photos for the book.  Sandy co-wrote the one for Yellow Springs so has experience.

REPORTS:

  • Board of Supervisors :
    • Reeves property discussed.  Pohlig wants Planning commission to review plans and send to BOS for review and preliminary approval.
  • Planning Commission:
    • Meeting is 20-Aug to review Reeves plans.
  • EAC:
    • No update
  • Open Space Commission:
    • No update

CURRENT PROJECTS

  • Royal Bank Property
    • John report:  Not sure whether Supreme Court will hear case.  Bank has no incentive to negotiate if the Court refuses to hear case (previous ruling in their favor would stand).  Decision could come any day.
  • Schuylkill School Update
    • Barbara Cohen is on vacation.  Sandy reported that they are putting together the fund raising package..

AMERICAN REVOLUTION CENTER PRESENTATION -

  • Background:
    •  Residents of Lower Providence township came to the Schuylkill Township Planning Commission meeting to ask the PC to make a recommendation to the Schuylkill Township Board of Supervisors that the site of the ARC be moved to another location.
    • PC made that recommendation based only on the arguments presented by the residents of LP Township who were in attendance.
    • BOS felt that they needed more information to pass the resolution.
  • Presentation:
    • Joe Dunbar - Manager of L.P. Township described the process which has led to the current site of the ARC.
      • Sep 2006:  discussed moving ARC from VF Park to LP Township (proposed site was then part of St. Gabriels property).
      • Nov/Dec 2006 - resolution passed by LP Township BOS to move forward with the project.  At this time, the project was smaller in scope.
      • Land is zoned for education centers and dormatories.
      • Living History Overlay Ordinance was developed (with input from BOS,  Montgomery County Planning Commission, Traffic Engineers, Lighting Engineers, Landscape Engineers, etc) as a compromise to allow the ARC to be built.  This ordinance has had several versions and has been the subject of several public meetings.
      • Jul 2007 - public meeting/presentation by ARC.  Supervisors and other representatives had met with Board of Directors for ARC.  Mr. Dunbar feels that they truly want to tell the story of the American Revolution.  Members of the Board of Directors for ARC include people who have been involved in other major museum projects (including the Holocaust Museum).
      • BOS also visited Gettysburg (going through similar development) and DC for fact finding. 
      • BOS have viewed artifacts to be placed in the ARC.
      • Aug 2007- Living History Overlay Ordinance approved. (Copies of the ordinance were provided to the HC)  However, there is no longer unanimous consent of BOS to move forward.  An appeal was filed by the residents against adoption of the ordinance.
      • ZHB ruled in favor of BOS in part because they felt the appeal was premature.
      • Feb 2008 - ARC filed preliminary plan to zoning officer.  Zoning officer ok'd plan.  At that point a 2nd appeal was filed by the residents.  That appeal is currently working it's way through the system.
      • BOS and PC moved forward with approval of preliminary plan.  Majority of PC approved.  BOS vote was 3-2 in favor.  The Bond for the project was not authorized.
      • ZHB will discuss at 10-Sep meeting.
      • LP Township submitted traffic study to Schuylkill Township BOS and PC back in March.  They propose to develop plans for fire and emergency with other surrounding townships.
      • Mr. Dunbar feels the ARC will be complimentary venue to Mill Grove.
      • ARC will do a point of access study with PennDOT (possible on/off ramps from 422 at Pawlings Rd)
      • There is no Historical Commission or HARB in LP Township.
    • Mr. Tom Daly from ARC presenting plans for ARC and answering questions.
      • Stated that Valley Forge Historical Society became the ARC (not verified)
      • Site is near the encampment but not on the encampment.
      • VFNP site fell through because:
        • Concerns that the sponsor would not complete the project and that the cost of completion and maintenance would fall to the park service (this had happened with projects in the past).
        • Park wanted smaller building
        • Agreements with Park Service were non-binding (could fall through again)
        • Asbestos contamination in the park at the chosen site.  No schedule for remediation by park service.
      • Originally had the blessing of the park service to move to the current site (78 acres).  There was talk that this property was to be annexed into the park.
      • A portion of the land purchased has been preserved as opens space.  A portion has been given to Mill Grove.
      • ARC is planning to remove 200+ trees (invasive species) and planting 1000 + trees (native species)
      • ARC is working with Audubon Society to promote bird migration and habitat.
      • Museum building will be a LEED building.  Vegetated roof.
      • There will also be a Trailhead building at the heads of Schuylkill and Perkiomen Trails with restrooms, meeting center, kitchen and bike racks.
      • ARC is working to be sensitive to the view shed in VF park.  A portion of the museum building will be under ground.  Mr. Daly showed renderings of buildings vs current view.  These renderings showed profile of building to be below tree line.
      • Stated that according to the ordinance, the museum must open prior to the conference center. (fact not checked at writing of minutes)
      • Stated that per the ordinance only a book store and food service can be provided.  Must be < 15% of site (fact not checked at writing of minutes)
      • Stairs outside of museum will be used by re-enactors and presentations in nice weather.
      • Museum site will be open to the public.
      • Museum architecture is modern look.
      • ARC has offered to install an information desk for VFNP.
      • Educational Conference Center with Lodging will also be built.  PA colonial syle architecture.  Will use Fieldstone and wood on exterior.  52' in height.  Have not determined how many lodging units will be available.
      • Archaeology study was done by John Milner Associates.  Questions have been raised regarding where the commissary was located.  Milner felt that it was not at this site.
      • Survey has been questioned by critics of the center.  ARC  requested the opinion of a professor at U of Nebraska.  He found that the Milner Assoc report was acceptable and that the physical survey was well done.
    • Questions were asked by Upper Merion Township Resident:
      • How many parking lots are there (answer 3).  How large are they and how much imperious surface.  (His concerns were also sent to HC members in an e-mail prior to this meeting).
      • Raised concerns about lodging (states that there are no other National Historical Sites with lodging)…(Sandy reminded the HC that this is private property and not part of the park)
      • Raised concerns about how lighting at the site would affect the view (Mr. Daly stated that park closes at dusk so should not be an issue to park visitors)
      • Raised concerns about archaeology study.  States that Park Service has been critical of the study  (Mr. Daly and Mr Dunbar stated that the PHMC is reviewing the archaeology study and will issue an opinion).
      • Raised concerns that this was part of Pawling Farm.  Pam asked if deed descent is required in LP Township for development of properties.  Mr. Dunbar stated that deed descent is not required.
    • Questions from Phoenixville Borough Resident
      • Concerns regarding tree removal and replacement.  What about wildlife that is currently using the trees?  How will replacing/removing trees enhance historical integrity? - Response Mr. Daly:  looking to introduce native species and plant "medium sized" trees.  Mr. Dunbar - LP Township has a tree ordinance which requires removed trees to be replaced with like calipers.
      • Concerns regarding RV park.  Response Mr. Dunbar - there is parking for RVs but not hook up facilities.
    • John Expressed concerns regarding traffic increase.  Mr. Dunbar indicated that there are plans to put an Expo Center in near the Oaks shopping center.  Likely that the Expo Center will have a much larger impact on traffic.
    • John also expressed concerns regarding "modern" architectural style of the museum.
    • Post presentation discussion among HC members
      • Sandy feels people involved in this project are conscientious.  Donors of artifacts would not donate if they did not feel this was a worthy project.
      • BOS has asked us to issue an opinion on the ARC
      • John stated that he would like to hear the opinions of the VF Park Supervisor prior to issuing an opinion.  Peter also suggested that we invite Superintendent Caldwell to speak at our next meeting.  Others also in agreement.
      • Sandy will invite Caldwell to our next meeting.  Will also send thank you notes to Mr. Dunbar and Mr. Daly for presenting tonight.
      • John felt we should let Mr. Dunbar and Mr. Daly know that we are inviting Caldwell to speak. 
      • John also suggested that we try to take to opportunity to tie this into Schuylkill Township to bring some gain to our township.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • Brackman Property
    • Property has been sold.

NEW BUSINESS

  • Need to think about budget for next meeting.
  • John was at Moore Hall for a recent yard sale.  He spoke with the Walters.  He did not get the impression that they are 100% in for Founders day.  Sandy will ask Barbara to follow up with the family.

Meeting adjourned at 10:00
Next meeting will be 15-Sep-2008
    Meeting to begin at 7:00

Submitted by:
Pamela Applegate-Frasch