WEST VINCENT TOWNSHIP
PLANNING COMMISSION

June 19, 2008             7:30 PM

Attendance:  Chairman Peter Rodgers, Vice Chairperson Jean Warrick, Sara Shick, Bob Kaiser, George Martin, Township Engineer Kenneth Yerger and Township Secretary Tammy Swavely.

Chairman Rodgers called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM.

The minutes of May 15, 2008 were unanimously approved as amended on a motion by Shick and a second by Kaiser.

Correspondence:

The Open Space Advisory Committee Minutes, the Environmental Advisory Council Minutes and the Board of Supervisors Minutes that were previously distributed by e-mail were acknowledged as received.  The Erosion & Stormwater Control Inspection Reports and Earth Disturbance Reports distributed by e-mail were acknowledged as received. 

SUBDIVISION/LAND DEVELOPMENT:

Wilkinson:  Nothing new with this application.

Burch/Woodstone:  A revised plan was received to the Township June 18, 2008.

Weyl:  Lisa D’Andrea, P.E. for this subdivision and Ron Agulnick, Esq. came before the Planning Commission to discuss the Carroll Engineer review letter dated June 18, 2008.  These were all technical issues that they will comply with.  Warrick made the motion that the Planning Commission recommend to the Board of Supervisors that they approve the Preliminary Plan for the Weyl Subdivision subject to the conditions and remaining comments in the Carroll Engineering letter.  Kaiser seconded the motion which carried unanimously. 

St. Andrews Church:  The Conditional Use Hearing is set for July 14, 2008 for an expansion of a non-conforming use.  Shick discussed a letter from Karen Marshall, Heritage Preservation Coordinator, Chester County Parks & Recreation Department.  This mentions the need to have an architect on site while the demolition and construction is happening.  There is no report that the structure does not have structural integrity.  Kaiser stated that this request would cost too much money for the church to spend on something that could be considered not necessary.  Shick would like to preserve the integrity of the old building and feels if an expert could protect it, it would be money worth spending.  Rodgers stated that this is a sound structure already and this would be adding an extra cost.  Warrick stated that the Board of Supervisors could require an architect’s oversight as one of the conditions in the Conditional Use Decision, but the need for such oversight should be supported by evidence.  The people who oppose the construction could hire an engineer to find out if such conditions exist and then present evidence at the hearing.  Debra Montgomery was present to discuss issues with historic preservation.  She feels that there are other choices instead of demolishing the historic structure.  She asked if she should bring an historian to the hearing.  The Planning Commission stated that she could, but given the fact that churches are not on the Historical Resource List, it might not be effective.  Wetlands on the property were discussed and Yerger stated that this was an issue they would have to deal with the DEP.  There are also no Township regulations with regards to construction near gravesites.

Wetherhold/Remington:  Scott Emerson came to discuss the property along Beaver Hill and French Creek Roads.  This has a Final Subdivision Approval for 20 lots which was received on 9/24/07.  At this time the Applicant has chosen to work with French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust to change the plan to 6 lots, all but one having 10 acres or more.  The other lot would have approximately 8 acres.  The proposal would have one single access point for 5 lots on Beaver Hill Road.  The trails are still going to be on the property, but with the lines changing, the trail will need to be moved slightly.  A waiver will be needed for the number of houses on a single driveway.  At this time Emerson is not sure how the Conservation Plan will go, it might be on a per lot basis rather than the land as a whole.  The Planning Commission is happy with the overall look of this plan, but will need an Engineer Review letter from Ken Yerger for more details.  At this time there is no road improvement planned around the S turn.

PLANNING/ZONING:

Ludwigs Square:  There has been nothing new with this application.

Collie Construction:  This Zoning Hearing has been postponed indefinitely.                     

Becker:  The Zoning Hearing for this Application was postponed until June 24, 2008. 

Abram Realty/PNC Bank:  Nothing has been submitted with this Application.  This plan needs to be changed since there are too many exits and entrances.  The Applicant is speaking with the Hankin Group to work out access from that direction. 

Tummillo:  The Applicant is waiting on the Zoning Ordinance changes for the loading zone distances from the property line.

Holderness/Davis:  A Hearing is set for June 24, 2008.  This is basically a neighbor dispute that hopes to come to the Zoning Hearing Board for a conclusion.

NEW BUSINESS:

Rodgers brought up Red Fox Lane and the people who hear the skeet shooting from the Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show property.  He recommended that the Planning Commission should consider incorporating some type of noise control regulations in the Zoning Ordinance.

Shick is the Township's representative to the Chester County Northern Federation.  She suggested that all Planning Commission members who are liaison to other committees and regional organizations provide updates on a monthly basis.  She informed the commission that Christine McNeil gave a presentation on the Park and Recreation Plan for the local municipalities that are participating.  The Townships will now be giving quarterly reports to the Northern Federation meetings to show progress of implementation of the Regional Plan.  Other projects that were recognized are moving forward.

Kaiser, the Planning Commission representative to the Open Space Committee reported on the progress of this committee.  All 22 properties have been looked at and ranked.  An issue has arisen that the property that is on the top of the list is one of the areas that cannot be seen from the road.  The concern has become what actually benefits the citizens of West Vincent.  There are environmental concerns to factor in.  The first priority of the open space was to preserve agricultural land.  The Board of Supervisors will be the deciding on what properties should be saved and in what order.

The desirability to enact a Well Head Protection ordinance was discussed.  Township Manager Wendelgass has been researching this for the Planning Commission at this time.  After Wendelgass presents the results of his research to the PC a discussion will be held to evaluate whether or not the PC feels that the implementation of such an ordinance would be a benefit to the township.

Meeting adjourned 8:40 PM