SCHUYLKILL TOWNSHIP
HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MEETING DATE: June 21,  2008

COMMISSION MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:
Joanne Brown,  Doug White, Khalil Hihi, Dianne Cram, John Gregory, Jay Stearly,  Pam Applegate-Frasch

Dianne opened the meeting at 7:03

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

  • Deferred to next meeting
  • Dianne to forward corrections for April to Pam

CORRESPONDENCE & ANNOUNCEMENTS                     

  • CCHPN volunteer appreciation  picnic is 25-Jun.  There is a $20.00 fee - Township to pay for HC members.  HC members should contact Dianne or Sandy if they wish to gp\o. 
  • Chester County Town Tours and Village Walks are Thursdays during the summer.  See www.CCHPN.org for details.
  • Bob Sugarman has resigned as Township Solicitor.  (post meeting note- sad to report Mr. Sugarman's passing).

NEW MEMBER RECRUITMENT

  • Resident Mara Trumble has been invited to our July meeting.  She is interested in oral history.

REPORTS:

  • Board of Supervisors :
    • McAvoy property is requesting consolidation of lots with the farmhouse.  Unsure of details.  Need to clarify with Sandy.
    • School district and YMCA walking trails have open RFPs.
  • Planning Commission:
    • America Inks property:
      •  new development plans.  Proposing demolishing all buildings.  Building 7 new buildings with 8 condo units n each building. 
      • Need to present new plans.
      • We will need history of Ink Co buildings and vintage.
      • Dianne:  Most appear to be cinder block and in poor condition.  Excepting the one close to the road.
      • If building is > 50 years old, should we request that they save the building.
      • Perkiomen Junction was near that site and there was a toll house.
  • EAC:
    • New development at 1000 Township Line Rd (commercial).  There may be a historic home on property.
    • Brake retarder ordinance is in the works
    • Report of another Eagles nest off Pawlings Rd (need to verify)
    • Backman - following up on wetlands survey
    • Reeves - storm water management
  • Open Space Commission:
    • No update

CURRENT PROJECTS

  • Freedoms Foundation Update
    • Russ Schultz from the FF agreed to let us tour the site.  He requested time to clean up the house.  He will call when ready.
    • Jeff Amerine (formerly of EAC) checking into the bridge.  From PennDot he found that the old Rte 29 through Freedoms Foundation ws abandoned on 11-Apr-1929.  The "new" roadway was constructed at that time.  The original right of way for the road was established on 14-Nov-1725.  It was 33' wide.  May be possible to repair (for pedestrian use)
  • Brackman Property - as under EAC update.
  • Schuylkill School Update
    • All but one supervisor approved the term sheet.
    • District meets 19-Jun and will hopefully approve.
    • Lease for Township to be drawn up.
    • Tom Carnevale is drawing up plans.
    • Meeting with District CFO to discuss handling of funds raised.
  • Sedgley Property (Reeves)
    • Letter of extension 08-Aug
    • How will Sugarman's resignation affect this?
  • Toonerville Trolley Trail Update:Barbara Cohen is meeting with task force committee.  School and Ticket Booth will both be tied in.
  • Anderson Cemetery - proposals for stone repair
    • Doug has submitted proposal to Mary for repair of wall.
    • Insurance will not pay for repair
    • Mary needs at least 2 proposals.
    • Dianne has 2 masons she has asked to look at submit proposals.
    • Pointed cap stones are laying outside wall.  We should pick them up and put them inside wall.
    • Doug has some of the medallions that came off last time and will continue to hold them for safe keeping. 
  • Royal Bank
    • Discussed in executive session by Supervisors.
    • This session opened the door for John to try to speak to someone from the bank (Mr. Plavner)
    • John will keep us informed of discussions.  Would like to know who we spoke to previously.
    • Supreme court may be close to a ruling.  John will try to look at the file to determine how close.

SCHUYLKILL PROPERTIES:..

  • House Surveys.  The HC tested the new Criteria for Rating Historic Structures system using 5 properties (photos provided by Khalil)
    • 455 Valley Park Rd
      • Built circa 1915
      • Elements of prairie style which is unusual in our Township
      • Rated as 3 points (medium concern) - 2 points (# 2) + 1 point (#7)
    • Meadowbrook
      • 19 points - 3 points (national register) + 3 points (#1) + 3 points (#4) + 2 points (#6) + 3 points (#7) + 2 points (#10)
    • 919 Valley Forge Rd
      • Built c 1958
      • Rated as 3 points (medium concern) - 1 point (#3) + 2 points (#9)
    • 332 Pawlings Rd - Train Station
      • Built circa 1915 (?)
      • Rated 15 points - 2 points (#2) + 3 points (#6) + 3 points (#4) + 3 points (#7) + 2 points (#10) + 2 points (# 9)
    • 504 W. Pothouse
      • Built 1920's (?)
      • Rated 6 points - 2 points (#2) + 2 points (#9) + 2 points (#10)
    • Will need to revise rating system as many properties rate beyond our scale (5+ points are significant concern).
    • Also agreed to add "history of public use" i.e. schools, churches, post offices.
    • Revise # 7 to read "The structure retainsa a considerable amount of defining architectural features.
    • Revise # 9 to "The structure falls within an historic overlay district"
    • Possibly add info re:  traditional neighborhood" to # 10.
    • Assign points for eligibility or already listed on National Register:  3 points
    • Possibly add points if identified as a resource on 1981 survey

OLD BUSINESS:

  • Historic Ordinances
    • Met with Michel Lefevre from PHMC re amending our ordinance.  He has authored a historic district preservation booklet - Dianne has the copy.
    • Discussed how to classify properties as well.
    • He liked our criteria system.  Suggested tie ordinance to classifications and enhance classifications with our criteria.
    • Maintaining traditional neighborhood developments is a point for historical ordinances.
    • Process in ordinance for review of properties for demolition was reviewed.
      • Would we ask a 50 year old cinder block house to fulfill the same criteria as a Meadowbrook?
    • We have no jurisdiction over interior features.  Need to educate about significance of these features (eg significant wood work, etc)
    • Need to give list of 50+ year old properties to Rhonda.  Khalil will deliver.
  • Founders Day at Moore Hall
    • 08-Nov
    • Barbara spoke with the Walters family.  They agreed to host.  Property is up for sale.
  • Recollections of our Past/Responsibility for our Future:  Schulkill School will be next.
  • Report to Yerkes - Houses brought to their attention:
    • Whitehorse Rd
    • S/W corner of Valley Forge and Country Club
    • Home near Girl Scout Headquarters
  • Wilmer House rehab
    • Interior work is being done
    • Need permit for exterior work
  • Signs in Township
    • Bull Tavern signs - frank Newhams says signs are strictly under the jurisdiction of the Zoning Hearing Board.  If we have concerns we should send them in writing to Frank:  FNewhams@yerkes-assoc.com

NEW BUSINESS

  • Mertz Property for sale
    • 565 Clothier Springs Rd:  1880 Farm
    • Khalil called eralitor but has not heard back. 
    • Property has stables and is white with green shutters.
  • 211 Carolina Ave Property possible demolition project.
  • Dianne will ask John Bowie - Historical Architect to come to speak to us.  She will ask him to review our criteria as well.

Meeting adjourned at 9:02
Next meeting will be 21-July-2008
    Meeting to begin at 7:00

Submitted by:
Pamela Applegate-Frasch