WEST VINCENT TOWNSHIP
PLANNING COMMISSION

May 15, 2008             7:30 PM

Attendance:  Acting Chairperson Sara Shick, Bob Kaiser, George Martin, Jim Wendelgass, Township Manager Township Engineer Kenneth Yerger and Township Secretary Tammy Swavely.

Acting Chairperson Sara Shick called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM.

The minutes of April 17, 2008 were unanimously approved on a motion by Martin 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:  Nothing new with this application.

Weyl:  Lisa D’Andrea, engineer on the project came before the Commission to discuss a revised plan that she brought with her.  She stated that she feels that all items are addressed from the Carroll Engineer review letter of October 2007.  She stated that all the Conditional Use criteria have been incorporated into the plan and notes have been added along with a construction sequence.  There is only one (1) waiver being requested which is for a plan scale.  Martin stated that he has no problem with granting that waiver.  D’Andrea was looking for a Planning Commission recommendation on the plan to the Board of Supervisors.  Shick stated that the Commission needs a clean review from Yerger and that they can come back next month for a recommendation.  If there are any discrepancies they can be discussed between engineers before the next Commission meeting.  Yerger stated that he cannot foresee any significant reason why the Commission couldn’t act on it next month.  D’Andrea stated that there are a few things that should be done during final plan stages for example the Maintenance Agreement and the Escrow.  The temporary stormwater basin on lot one is still in question.  The plans show one during construction but during the conditional use it was stated that it might need to remain permanent.  D’Andrea asked if this could be determined during the next review.  Yerger will review the plan and let D’Andrea know if any changes need to be made before the next meeting.       

St. Andrews Church:  Ken Werner, representing St. Andrews Church came to discuss the letter that he received from the Township Zoning Officer stating that they need a Conditional Use.  The Planning Commission could not help him with this.  Wendelgass stated that the Zoning Ordinance definition is what is being used to determine the need for a Conditional Use.  Werner will contact the Zoning Officer for further information.

PLANNING/ZONING:

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

Collie Construction:  A Zoning Hearing date of May 20, 2008 has been set.  The Planning Commission voted on this Application at the last meeting.                    

Becker:  A Zoning Hearing date of May 20, 2008 has been set but will have to be continued due to a conflict with the Applicant.  The Planning Commission voted on this Application at the last meeting.                    

Abram Realty/PNC Bank:  A new land development sketch plan was received to the Township for the corner of Routes 100 and 401.  Michael Gill, attorney representing the Applicant and the engineer from Bohler Engineering came to discuss the sketch plan with the Planning Commission.  A review letter from Yerger has been received dated 5/1/08.  Gill discussed the variance which proposes 54% impervious coverage when the Zoning Ordinance permits 50% in this area.  This plan has not been engineered at this time.  For septic, the Applicant has different options and one of them is a holding tank.  The bank usage is less than 400 gallons a day, which is very small.  The parking shown on the sketch shows 17 spaces and the Ordinance requires 13, although the Applicant would like as many as 25.  Shick stated that the Ludwig’s Corner Master Plan needs to be used in any land development in this area.  She also stated that preserving greenway is very important and this would work well in the intersection areas.  Gill stated that he feels that the civic common look doesn’t make sense with this parcel since it is a single use property.  They are now aware of the Hankin Group property as of today and will work with them to get an access point.  The main issues from the Commission were to reduce the impervious coverage, to work out the sanitary sewer, and determine stormwater management.  Yerger stated that there should not be paving in the front yard.  Another issue that Gill brought up was the loading and unloading zone.  A bank does not need a separate loading zone, a parking space will work.  This can be discussed as the plan develops. 

Tummillo Sketch Plan:  A sketch plan has been submitted to incorporate the Planning Commissions recommendations.  The Board is working on the Zoning Ordinance revision which will change the loading zone 50’ from the property line to 25’.  This will aid in the narrow parcel.  Tummillo stated that he has approached the Board of Supervisors informing them that he is interested in public sewer.  At this time the sewer lines are proposed to go to Routes 401 and 100.  Martin stated that looking at this sketch plan provided that it addresses the concerns of the Planning Commission, and that this sentiment should be forwarded to the Supervisors.  The other members agreed with that procedure.  Kaiser seconded the motion which carried unanimously. 

McKendry:  A new Zoning Hearing Application has been received from Mark McKendry, 1973 Kimberton Road, Tax Parcel 25-30.1 requesting relief to add a sanitary sewer lateral.  This is disturbing 110 square feet of wetlands and requires relief to hook into the public sewer.  The hearing is set for June 10, 2008.

Holderness/Davis:  A New Zoning Hearing Application from Maria Holderness, regarding 958 Jaine Lane, Tax Parcel 25-3-143.5 and 25-3-143.7 was received.  Holderness is appealing a Zoning Officer Decision made on a neighboring property.  A date has not been set for this hearing.

NEW BUSINESS:

West Vincent Associates have submitted a Planning Module to the Township for signature for the land development on the Bruner property.  This proposal is to have age restricted condominiums.  This plan is part of the Settlement Agreement with the Township.  Martin made the motion that Jean Warrick, Vice Chairperson of the Planning Commission sign the Planning Module for West Vincent Associates for the Age Restricted Condominiums in accordance with the Settlement Agreement.  Kaiser seconded the motion which carried unanimously. 

Wendelgass has reviewed the North Coventry Township’s Community Wellhead Protection Ordinance.  This is quite extensive and would require many studies in West Vincent before something of this kind could be adopted.    

Meeting adjourned 9:05 PM