The Schuylkill Township Planning Commission held their regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at the Township hall. Members of the Planning Commission present were Mr. Claffey, Mr. Morris Quigg, Mr. Tom Davis and Mr. Brian Lange. Mr. Reading, Mr. Keogh and Mrs. Potts were not in attendance. Mr. Claffey chaired the meeting. Mr. John Sartor of Gilmore & Associates, the Township Engineer, was present as well.
On motion by Mr. Quigg, seconded by Mr. Davis, and passed, the Planning Commission approved the minutes of the April 15, 2009 meeting.
Mr. Morrisson, a member of the Board of Supervisors updated the Planning Commission regarding the need for the Township’s ordinances to conform to the Regional Planning Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Claffey stated that there is already a disconnection with the Township’s Zoning Ordinance and the Township’s Comprehensive Plan update completed in 2005. Mr. Ledbetter, a member of the Board of Supervisors, advised that the ordinances need to be aligned with the Regional Plan by February 2010. Mr. Morrisson stated that the review of the ordinances by each member municipality of the regional planning commission needs to be completed by September, 2009. Mr. Claffey stated that the Township should review its ordinances to see if it wants to comply with the plan. Mr. Ledbetter advised that the Township must comply with the plan. Mr. Brennan, the Township Solicitor, stated that any ordinance adopted must be justifiable and lawful.
Thompson Tract – Mr. John Thompson and Mr. Bob Showalter, his engineer from Showalter Associates, came before the Planning Commission to update the commission regarding proposed roadway realignment on the sketch plan. Mr. Thompson stated that the original plan was designed by North American Land Trust (NALT). Mr. Showalter stated the road configuration has been revised so that there is no road connection through the heavily wooded area on the tract. He advised that the trail route through the development would follow the road instead of through lots 20 and 21. The original cul-de-sac proposed between lots 6, 8, 10, 11 and 12 will now be a through road up to lot 9 for access to that lot for a future trailhead or passive/active recreation. Mr. Claffey stated that the plan now has access to Tinkerhill Lane. Mr. Thompson stated that the original cul-de-sac was longer than what the Township ordinances allowed. He advised that there was also 2,500 feet of road eliminated through the woods which helped in conserving the woodland area of the tract.
Mr. Sartor stated that his two concerns with the plan thus far was road alignment and stormwater management. Mr. Showalter stated that the Thompson family is trying to get as much input as possible from both Charlestown and Schuylkill Townships before moving forward with a completely engineered plan. Mr. Thomspon stated that he and Mr. Showalter have met with Mr. Kevin Kuhn, Charlestown Township Supervisor, and Mr. Surrender Kohli, Charlestown Township Engineer, with the revised plan as presented this evening. Mr. Quigg questioned what the impact of the plan was to the residents on Tinkerhill Lane. He stated that he liked the idea of the development road accessing Tinkerhill Lane. Mr. Ledbetter stated that when Creek Road floods the proposed road could become an emergency access. Mr. Claffey stated that Tinkerhill residents will not like a through-road and do not want the two Tinkerhills to connect.
The consensus of the Planning Commission this evening was that the layout as presented with an access road to Tinkerhill was preferable to the earlier layout that contained a cul-de-sac of illegal length. Mr. Thompson stated that he and Mr. Showalter will be presenting the plan to the Charlestown Township Planning Commission. Trip generation for the proposed development was questioned. Mr. Showalter stated that the total peak hour trips may be under 100. He advised that 100 peak hour trips would trigger a traffic study. Mr. Thompson asked for a letter from the Township that incorporated the thoughts of the Planning Commission. Mr. Claffey stated that the minutes of the meeting would reflect the Planning Commission’s comments.
Mr. Claffey asked if the Charlestown Township Planning Commission would like to meet a half hour before the Schuylkill Township Planning Commission meeting either on June 17 or July 15. The Township manager will work with Charlestown Township on scheduling the meeting.
Nolen Property – Mr. Jim Nolen of Nolen Companies came before the commission to review the May 18, 2009 Township Engineer letter regarding the sketch plan for multi-family units for a 9.5 acres portion of approximately 31 acres in the APO-II reserve area located north of Pawling Road and east of Revolutionary Boulevard. Mr. Nolen stated that as part of the 9 acre development there will be 7,200 square feet of recreational area that will surround the proposed recreational building for the multi-family complex. The consensus of the Planning Commission was that the 17 acre conservation site would count as the recreation area for the multi-family unit development of the nine acres.
Mr. Nolen stated that he will speak with the Open Space Commission regarding a possible trail. Mr. Nolen advised that he is not sure how the 17 acre conservation site will be handled or who will have the obligation to maintain it. There is a steep slope area at the entrance to the development. Mr. Nolen stated that the driveway to be located in the steep slope area will not be a 15% grade when completed. Mr. Nolen stated that the 9 acre development site is very restricted and will not provide for a varied building layout.
Currently there are two inlets connected by a pipe that drains Pawling Road onto the site. The inlets were also proposed to be used by the 5-lot subdivision for the Masters property located on Ferry Lane. Mr. Sartor stated that the drainage area is considered a flood hazard district and setbacks for the development may need to be modified accordingly. The drainage ditch where the pipe is exposed on the proposed site is classified as an intermittent or perennial stream per PaDEP, Chapter 105. Mr. Sartor advised that if the water running through the ditch is piped it is not considered a water course if they can get a permit from PaDEP. A FEMA floodplain delineation could correct the floodplain aspect. Mr. Ledbetter stated that floodplain delineation is a more certain process. Mr. Nolen stated that he would attend the June 3 Board of Supervisors meeting to update the Board on the sketch plan.
PASD, Middle School – Mr. Ron Miller representing the PASD and Mr. Glenn Harris and Ms. Sheri Lamphere of Renew Design Group, Mr. Ron Kalyan and Mr. Damien Spar of Fox Rothschild presented a sketch plan for the demolition of the current middle school and the construction of a new three-story school at the middle/high school complex. The new middle school will be constructed entirely in the Borough of Phoenixville on the western side of the 48 acre campus on land adjacent to Carlisle Avenue in the Borough. The current 92,000 square foot building located on the 11 acres of the site in Schuylkill Township would be demolished along with the administration building located in the Borough. Multi-purpose playing fields, a new baseball field and a new tennis court will be constructed at the demolition site. The existing stormwater basins will be expanded. A new administration building will be added onto the high school.
Mr. Harris advised that soil infiltration testing will begin shortly. The impervious surface within Schuylkill Township will drop from 38% to 16.5% and bring the portion of the middle/high complex located in Schuylkill Township into compliance with township ordinances. The impervious coverage within the Borough of Phoenixville portion of the site is a little over 50% and will need to be reduced to 50%. The height of the new building will be 55’and will need relief from the Borough since it only allows 40’.
Mr. Miller stated that the PASD has not considered other properties since there is not a lot of properties that would accommodate the school. He advised that the school board is moving ahead with the plan as presented this evening. Mr. Claffey stated that at face value the plan is an attractive proposition since it gives green space along State Road. Mr. Ledbetter stated that the PASD could incorporate innovative stormwater management techniques with this project and possibly develop stormwater management into education modules for the students. He stated that he would like to see the students involved. Mr. Sartor stated that he recalled a stream coming from the development west of the complex when the high school was being renovated. Mr. Harris stated that the project proposes enlarging the basin and adding an infiltration system.
Mr. Morrisson questioned if green components would be added to the design of the building. Mr. Harris stated that the middle school will have LEED type design ingredients. He advised that LEED certification is up to the school board. Mr. Miller stated that the school will be able to be LEED certified, possibly a silver certification. LEED will be used as a design guide. Mr. Spar stated that Act 34, the “Taj Mahal Act” mandates that construction costs for a new school building cannot take money away from the education of students within that district. Mr. Ledbetter questioned if the school district could construct the school in such a way in anticipation of a green roof or solar panels that could be installed at a later date. Mr. Spar stated that it was too early to tell. Mr. Harris stated that the existing pumping station on the site will be eliminated and a gravity fed line will be installed with the new middle school.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting at adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary R. Bird
Township Manager