CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING
JUNE 15, 1995 MINUTES

The Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors met on Thursday, June 15, 1995 at the Charlestown Elementary School, Charlestown Road, Devault, Pa.

Present:

John C. Martin, Jr., Chairman, John B. Sauser, Vice Chairman, Irene W. Ewald, Member, Thomas F. Oeste, Esq., Surender S. Kohli, P.E., Linda M. Csete, Secretary and those on the attached attendee list.

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.

Mr. Martin moved to approve the four insurance disbursements listed on the June 15, 1995 Accounts Payable Report subject to the Supervisors’ review of the terms and endorsements on the policies. Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

After a discussion on a residential wall partially located in the Mine Road right of way, Mr. Martin made a motion to request that Mr. Kohli to write a letter to the property owner requesting that they reconstruct the wall so as to remove it from the right of way. Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

A. Carter Fergusson and Bob Plucienik, P.E. presented the final subdivision plans for Glen Brae, for a 14.2 acre parcel off Spring Mill Road and Phoenixville Pike, which Mr. Fergusson wishes to subdivide into 2 lots of 8.3 acres and 5.9 acres. There is an existing warehouse on the larger lot (Lot 1).

Mrs. Ewald asked about the number of parking spaces on Lot 1. Mr. Kohli said that he asked that the required number of 160 be shown on the plans but that the requirement to construct them at the time of subdivision be waived since the current use as a warehouse doesn’t need them. Mr. Kohli said that if the building was converted to a different use, the parking requirements would be reviewed at that time and constructed as necessary.

Mrs. Ewald asked how Lot #2 would be accessed through the steep slope and very steep slope areas. Mr. Plucienik stated that the access will be from Spring Mill Road, with a deed restriction against access from Phoenixville Pike or elsewhere. Mr. Kohli stated that a conditional use application would be required to obtain approval for access through the steep slope area.

Mr. Martin moved to approve the Glen Brae Final Plan subject to the comments on Mr. Kohli’s review letter of June 13, 1995 and subject to the addition of a note written by Mr. Oeste requiring the specification of which parking spaces will be moved and relocated to comply with the sideyard setback requirements and to move them from Lot 2 upon approval of a building permit for Lot #2. Mrs. Ewald seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

Mr. Martin moved to approve Resolution #498-95 for Plan Revision for New Land Development for Glen Brae. Mrs. Ewald seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Kohli outlined the roads to consider for the 1995 Liquid Fuel Tax paving project. He estimated that Maryhill Road, at 3,500 linear feet, would cost $38,000 to $40,000 to pave. Blackberry Road, at a length of 6,800 feet and with leveling work needed, would cost between $75,000 and $80,000. Green Lane, at 1,150 feet of which 900 feet needs to be widened, combined with extensive tree removal, would cost approximately $43,000. Wells Road, at a length of 2,000 feet and for which an escrow account was established, would cost approximately $8,000 to $10,000 for patching. Mr. Martin suggested proceeding with Green Lane and Maryhill Roads, and deciding on Blackberry Road after seeing what the first two roads cost to pave. The Board agreed to have Mr. Kohli name Green Lane, Maryhill Road and Blackberry Road for the Liquid Fuel Tax project report. The Wells Road patching will also proceed.

Steve Durst, real estate manager for Comcast/Metrophone, was present to discuss the Conditional Use application for Comcast. Mr. Oeste stated that he received a letter from John E. Good, Esq., attorney for Comcast, requesting an indefinite continuance on the hearing. The applicant wishes to postpone formal proceedings to allow time to obtain feedback from the township. Mr. Durst explained that he selected the proposed site due to its ideal location in his search grid, surrounding industrial and commercial uses, and the fact that only the top 30-40 feet of the tower would be seen from this location. Different architectural styles for the tower are available, including one that simulates the bark of a tree.

Mr. Martin asked why an additional tower is needed, noting that he has no trouble with the service. Mr. Durst stated that their consulting engineer will provide the data showing how the need is determined.

Mrs. Ewald stated that there are several other towers in the township, including one unoccupied site and two others that are in use but may have space for additional antennas. Mr. Durst described the antennas as three sets of four 1 x 4 foot dishes with one set facing East, one South and one West. He said he will check into the possibility of leasing space on an existing tower, but stated that the age of the tower and structural integrity must be considered as the wind load produced by Comcast’s antennas is quite heavy.

Mrs. Ewald stated that the location selected is not in the LI-2 District, and that the Township would not consider a variance if there were more appropriate sites available in the LI zone. Mr. Durst assured the Board he will make every effort to either lease space on an existing tower, or if this is not feasible, locate a site within the LI-2 district.

The issue of public water was brought up for discussion by Mrs. Ewald, who stated that since the Valley Forge Christian College is planning to revamp their systems, and the Philadelphia Suburban Water Co. is in negotiations to purchase the Phoenixville Water Company, it is appropriate at this time for both the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission to consider the future water needs of the Township. She stated that a number of residents on Sycamore Lane already offered their input when they heard PSW was seeking a route through the Township and she believes more input from residents would be very useful to the Board. Mr. Martin commented that a change to public water would be welcomed by residents who have well problems, and opposed by those whose wells are functioning adequately, since everyone along a route would be forced at considerable expense to make the conversion to public water. Mrs. Ewald stated that there was a study undertaken by the Chester County Water Authority on available ground water and asked Mr. Kohli if he could obtain copies of it. Janet Baldwin said that Ralph Heister of Green Valleys Association has spoken with her about his ongoing water resources study, from which he said data would be available this fall.

In other business, Mrs Ewald asked if Charlestown Brae would be getting gas service, as some nearby residents said they received notices from the gas company that work is about to start. Mr. Kohli will check on this and report back to the Board.

Mrs. Ewald moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 P.M. Mr. Martin seconded, and all were in favor.

Respectfully Submitted,


Linda M. Csete, Secretary