The Schuylkill Township Planning Commission held their regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at the Township hall. Members of the Planning Commission present were Mr. Reading, Mr. Claffey, Mr. Quigg, Mr. Davis and Mr. Keogh. Mrs. Potts and Mr. Lange were not present. Mr. Reading chaired the meeting. Also in attendance was Mr. John Sartor, Township Engineer from Gilmore & Associates and Mr. Ledbetter and Mr. Morrisson from the Board of Supervisors and Mr. Brennan, the Township Solicitor.
On motion by Mr. Claffey, seconded by Mr. Keogh and passed, the Planning Commission approved the minutes of the June 17, 2009 meeting. The Planning Commission requested that the Township Manager share the approved minutes with Charlestown Township. Mr. Claffey will be liaison for Schuylkill Township Planning Commission with Charlestown Township’s Planning Commission.
Pasquale Property – Mr. Mauch of the Township’s Open Space Commission (OSC) advised the Planning Commission that Mr. & Mrs. Pasquale have signed an agreement of sale to the Township for 2 lots on the south side of Valley Park Road. The lots were created during the subdivision of Valley Park. The total lot acreage that will be acquired by the township is 15.70 acres. Both properties are undeveloped and will be restricted from further development. Mr. Brennan stated that part of the purchase price of $685,000 will be funded by a grant for $150,000 from Chester County. He advised that the property has been evaluated by the OSC and a strong majority of the Board is in favor of its purchase. Mr. Mauch stated that the OSC used a ranking criteria to evaluate the property as well as another 19 properties in the Township. He stated that the Pasquale property although not in the top 10 of the properties evaluated presented the opportunity for the township to acquire. The Natural Lands Trust ranking system through the Community Protection Priority Map ranks the Pasquale Property as a “10”.
Mr. Brennan stated that the appraisals used for the purchase of the two lots were 12 – 15 months old. He advised that there are no expiration dates on the appraisals. Mr. Ledbetter stated that the Township is pursuing to restore the pond on the property and is currently applying for stimulus money through PennVEST since the project is deemed shovel ready. Mr. Ledbetter advised that the Pasquale property would create a buffer around the historic Anderson Cemetery that the Township already owns and maintains as well as provide the opportunity to restore the ticket booth that was part of an operating amusement park on Valley Park Road. Grant monies will also be pursued for the ticket booth restoration. Mr. Ledbetter stated that the property could become an active recreation site at some future date.
On motion by Mr. Keogh, seconded by Mr. Claffey, and passed the Schuylkill Township Planning Commission recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt the proposed amendment, titled “Resolution of the Board of Supervisors of Schuylkill Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, Adopting an Amendment to the Open Space, Recreation and Environmental Resource Plan dated December 2, 1992” to allow for the Township’s acquisition of UPI Nos. 27-6-147 and 27-6-147.1 for park, recreation and open space purposes in accordance with the Act. The property to be added to the Open Space, Recreation and Environmental Resource Plan is described in the proposed Resolution that the Board of Supervisors will act on at the August 5, 2009 Board meeting.
Nolen Property – Mr. Diemer of Wilkinson Associates, the engineer for the Nolen Company who proposes eight multi-family units on 30.70 acres in the APO-II reserve area fronting the Meadows at Valley Forge, came before the commission to request that the Township Engineer be authorized to review the plan once it is submitted in August. The Planning Commission does not meet in August and the Township Engineer reviewing the plan once it is submitted to the Township will allow a review letter to be generated for discussion at the September Planning Commission meeting. Mr. Brennan stated he has spoken with the developer, Mr. Nolen, and advised him that he should not hold the Township to any deadlines. Mr. Nolen may provide a letter to the Township waiving the 90 day review period, without limitation as to time. On motion by Mr. Claffey, seconded by Mr. Quigg and passed, the Planning Commission requested that the Township Engineer begin review of the plans once received by the Township.
Charles Miller Property Subdivision – Mr. Conver of Conver & Smith Engineers and the applicant Dr. Charles Miller presented a final subdivision plan for a 5.8 acre parcel owned by Dr. Miller located on Diamond Rock Road. Mr. Conver stated that the existing house is to remain as shown on Lot #2. He advised that everything meets the Zoning Ordinance criteria. The buyer of the undeveloped Lot #1 would be responsible for stormwater management plans once the lot is proposed to be developed. Dr. Miller will retain an easement on the building lot so his existing driveway can remain. The driveway is located on Lot #1 since that lot requires frontage so as not to be non-conforming. Mr. Claffey expressed the Township’s lack of interest in allowing the joint driveway. On motion by Mr. Quigg and seconded by Mr. Davis, and passed the Planning Commission requested that the plans be reviewed by the Township Engineer.
PASD, Middle School Land Development – Mr. Harris and Ms. Lamphere of ReNew Design, Mr. Kalyan and Mr. Gretton of Fox Rothschild and Dr. Mancini, acting superintendent for the school district were present. The July 13, 2009 engineering review letter was discussed this evening. Mr. Harris stated that the new middle school will be constructed first within the Borough of Phoenixville on the western portion of the property near Carlisle Avenue. Beechwood Drive, a private drive that provides access off of State Road (Route 29), will continue to serve as a bus flow area. However, the current bus circle area will be restored to a grassy condition. The existing tennis courts will remain. Discussion ensued regarding basin and setback distance from the Flood Hazard District. A question was raised if the flow from the low flow channel is considered a stream. If it is considered a stream it may fall within the flood hazard district. Mr. Ledbetter stated that the flow continues on to the Meadowbrook golf course as a stream. Mr. Harris stated that the stormwater management basin is a form of flood control. He advised that the stormwater management for the property needs to function in the best possible way for the school district to proceed with planning of the entire site.
Mr. Harris stated that he had a pre-application meeting with the Chester County Conservation District. Mr. Gretton suggested that the Township also be present at subsequent meetings with the CCCD. Mr. Reading and Mr. Claffey concurred. A conditional use hearing will need to be scheduled to modify certain existing man-made steep slopes. Mr. Harris stated that a variance will be needed to grade and remove topsoil. A question was raised if the ZHB had previously granted that waiver that it set precedent for the same requested by a future applicant. Mr. Ledbetter stated that the ZHB approves hearing board requests on a case-by-case basis. Mr. Brennan stated that the ZHB opinions are not precedential; each application is weighted on its own merit. Mr. Harris stated that maybe they can do minor modifications to the existing basin and some grading to avoid the ZHB. Mr. Morrisson stated that the basins are also acting as water runoff restrictors. Mr. Ledbetter stated that the construction of the basin needs to meet the Zoning Ordinance. He advised that the plans could be revised so that grading is not occurring in the Flood Hazard District.
Mr. Ledbetter stated that it was important to know where the municipal boundaries were for multi municipal policing. The Township Engineer review cited the SALDO requirement for an Environmental Impact Assessment and a Transportation Impact Analysis. Mr. Claffey reiterated his comment from the June meeting that the Township should only be looking at the portion of the development in Schuylkill Township. Mr. Harris stated that the school district is not anticipating building a new school for a population surge and there will be no extra 100 peak hour trips. He advised that the Borough did not request a traffic study. Both Mr. Reading and Mr. Claffey agreed that it would be a waste of money to do a Traffic Impact Analysis. Mr. Ledbetter agreed that there should not be multiple municipal studies. He stated that although our ordinances require a study, the plan may not trigger one.
The school district will request a waiver from providing sidewalks within the Township portion of the project. Dr. Mancini stated that the school district is of the opinion that pedestrian usage should not be promoted in that area of State Road leading to the intersection with Pothouse Road. Mr. Ledbetter stated that the Township had previously received grant money for a walking trail from the middle/high school complex to the YMCA. The project was cut in half after objections from the school district. Mr. Ledbetter stated that he objected to not having sidewalks on that portion of the PASD property. Mr. Keogh agreed and stated that pedestrians walk that area now including children to and from school. Mr. Gretton stated that a potential fee in lieu could be provided instead of a sidewalk.
Mr. Claffey questioned the timeline for the construction of the middle school. Mr. Gretton stated that the school district is looking to go out to bid on the project in February 2010 and award construction in April. There will be a two year construction period.
There being no further business for discussion, the Planning Commission adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary R. Bird
Township Manager
Next Planning Commission Meeting: September 16, 2009 No meeting in August.