WEST VINCENT TOWNSHIP
PLANNING COMMISSION

November 19, 2008                7:30 PM

Attendance:  Vice Chairperson Jean Warrick, Sara Shick, George Martin, Robert Kaiser, Township Manager Jim Wendelgass and Township Secretary Tammy Swavely

Vice Chairperson Warrick called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM.

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:

Burch/Woodstone:   The Applicant was not present to discuss this plan.

Weyl:  Nothing new with this application.

St. Andrews Church:  Nothing new with this application.

Wetherhold/Remington:  Brown Vincent, Bentley Homes, came to the Planning Commission to discuss this plan.  A new plan was submitted on November 10, 2008 and the Township Engineer has not had time to review this revision.  Mr. Vincent stated that he was fine with discussing this at the next Planning Commission meeting after a review letter is circulated.  He informed the Commission that they have just received an easement draft from their attorney and will pass it on to the Township Solicitor after he has reviewed it. 

PLANNING/ZONING:

Ludwigs Square/The Promenade at Chester Springs:  Nothing new with this Application.

Abram Realty/PNC Bank:  Nothing new with this Application.

Old Business:  At the October workshop the Planning Commission discussed a Stormwater Ordinance.  Ken Yerger will forward this to them for further review. 

Sara Shick reported from the Northern Federation.  She stated that there have been six (6) proposals submitted to do a study on the needs of a Regional Park and Recreation Plan.  This includes active recreation, trails and a few other items.  Once the company is chosen to do the study, each Township (ten of them are participating) will need to contribute $1000.00 in 2009 and $1000.00 for 2010.  The whole project costs $150,000.00.  Other sources of funding would be an $80,000.00 grant from Chester County, Senators Dinniman and Rafferty and Representatives Hennessey and Schroder and possibly the Pottstown and Phoenixville Health and Wellness Foundations.

New Business:

Shick informed the Planning Commission that she attended a Chester County Workshop The Regional Plan for a Sustainable Future that was lead by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.  The focus was on a regional vision for growth with a long-range plan looking forward to 2035.  Key areas of interest are transportation planning and improving our highways and bridges, land use focusing growth in development centers, environmental impact including protecting our open space and agricultural land, and economic competitiveness fueled by a more energy-efficient economy.  Chester County 2020 was present and informed all that there was a workshop on December 16, 2008 on Clean, Fresh Water:  Connecting Costs and Challenges. 

There was a discussion on the Township applying for a grant, Smart Transportation, from the State.  Applicants must submit an application before December 15, 2008.  A study to be considered in West Vincent would be where do people go from here and how can we assist them to do it in a more environmentally sensitive, sustainable way?  A transportation engineering firm would be necessary to assist in such a task.  Martin felt that West Vincent Township would not be a good candidate for public transportation nor a good use of public funds.  Shick made the motion that the Planning Commission recommend to the Board of Supervisors that she take the concept of the Smart Transportation grant to the Board and ask if they would like to apply.  Kaiser seconded the motion.  Shick voted yes, Kaiser voted yes, Warrick voted yes, Martin voted no, motion carried. 

Shick made a motion to adjourn, Kaiser seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Meeting Adjourned 8:30 PM