CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
BUSINESS MEETING
MAY 15, 2000

The third business meeting for May was held May 15, 2000 at the Valley Forge Christian College, Building #11. Irene W. Ewald, Chairman (arrived 8:15 P.M.), Hugh D. Willig, Vice Chairman, Kevin R. Kuhn, Paul J. Hogan (arrived 7:45 P.M.), Michael J. Rodgers, Thomas F. Oeste, Esq., Surender S. Kohli, P.E., Ed Theurkauf (arrived 9:35 P.M.), Tom Comitta (arrived 10:07 P.M.), Linda M. Csete, Secretary and those on the attached attendee list were present.

Mr. Willig called the meeting to order at 7:40 P.M.

Announcements

Mr. Kohli announced that the final inspection for Bridge #178 over Pickering Road will take place at 1:00 P.M. on May 16, 2000 at the site. Representatives from the County Engineering Office and neighbors will be present. Mr. Kohli said the bridge was opened approximately one month ago after a semi-final inspection produced a punch list of only minor items.

Citizens’ Forum - Non-Agenda Items

No items were brought forward at this time.

Minutes of May 8, 2000

The Secretary explained that a correction will be needed in the specification of Wendy Leland’s term on the Planning Commission. The term should end 12/31/2002 and not 12/31/2001 as moved and approved on Page 10 of the minutes. Mr. Willig said a corrective motion would be placed under Other Business this evening.

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve the minutes of May 8,2000 as written with one correction on page 5, penultimate paragraph, third line, which should read currently in the approval process with East Whiteland and Tredyffrin Townships” instead of Schuylkill and Tredyffrin Townships@. Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Willig called for discussion from the Board and then the public, and there being none, called the vote. 3-0 were in favor.

Old Business - None

New Business

Burch Subdivision Escrow Agreement and Subdivision and Land Development Agreement

Mr. Oeste explained that the Developer has accepted the standard Township agreements as written. The plans will not be released for recording until the bank signs the Escrow Agreement and indicates its funding. Mr. Oeste will hold the agreements until they can be released to the title company to be recorded with the final plan.

Mr. Kuhn moved to accept the Burch Subdivision Escrow Agreement and Subdivision and Land Development Agreement and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Willig called for discussion from the Board and then the public, and there being none, called the vote. 3-0 were in favor. (Mr. Hogan arrived at this time and did not vote.)

Hearings

Ordinance Vacating a Future Road Extending from Great Woods Lane to the Zeigler Subdivision, and Transferring One-Half of the Vacated Future Road to each of the Adjacent Property Owners (Lots 21 & 22)

The proceedings were taken by a court reporter and the record closed. Mr. Rodgers moved to approve Ordinance #85-2000, which Mr. Oeste read in its entirety. Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mr. Willig called for discussion from the Board and then the public, and there being none, called the vote. 4-0 were in favor.

Douglas Miles Conditional Use Application - Continued

The proceedings were taken by a court reporter and the record closed. Mrs. Ewald arrived during the hearing. Mrs. Ewald said the Board has 45 days to render a decision and placed the matter on the June 5, 2000 agenda.

Altemose Curative Amendment Application - Continued

The proceedings were taken by a court reporter. Upon request of the applicant’s attorney Joseph Ryan in a letter to Mr. Oeste dated May 12, 2000, the hearing was continued to June 19, 2000 due to the unavailability of their key witness this evening.

Late Spring Developers Conditional Use Application - Continued

The proceedings were taken by a court reporter. The applicant was not present and the hearing was continued to June 19, 2000.

Ordinance Establishing Speed Limits on Union Hill Road and Rees Road and Stop Intersections at Union Hill Road and Tinkerhill Lane, and Rees Road and Blackstone Lane

Mr. Rodgers asked why Buckwalter Road wasn’t included for a speed limit reduction to 25 MPH as previously directed on March 13, 2000. Mr. Oeste said since it wasn’t included in this ordinance, another advertisement and draft ordinance would be required for Buckwalter Road.

Mr. Oeste outlined the scope of the proposed ordinance relative to the placement of stop signs and changes in speed limits. Mr. Kuhn asked why stop signs weren’t included for the intersection of Howells Road and Rees Road, which he believes will serve to discourage cut-through traffic on Rees and Union Hill Roads.

Mr. Kohli referred to a letter dated May 11, 2000 from Caruolo Associates Inc., Transportation Engineers & Planners, whose feasibility study supports the installation of stop signs at Union Hill Road and Tinkerhill Lane, and Rees Road and Blackstone Lane. He noted that a study supporting stop signs at each side of the Union Hill Road tunnel and at Howells and Rees Roads had been outlined in a prior letter dated April 20, 2000.

Mrs. Ewald said she favors the stop signs at Howells and Rees Road and suggests they be considered along with a speed limit reduction for Buckwalter Road. She said it’s hard to turn onto Howells from Rees Road safely. Mr. Oeste was directed to advertise an ordinance for June 19, 2000 to establish a 25 MPH speed limit on Buckwalter Road, and to install stop signs at the intersection of Howells Road, Rees Road and Green Lane (Tredyffrin Township). Mr. Oeste will write to the Tredyffrin Township Board of Supervisors and request that they enact an ordinance for the stop sign at Green Lane.

Mrs. Ewald read the proposed ordinance in its entirety. Mr. Rodgers moved to approve Ordinance #86-2000 and Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mrs. Ewald called for discussion from the Board and then the public, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Ordinance Amending Names of Private Lanes - Souder Subdivision

Mr. Oeste stated that the proposed ordinance amends Ordinance #71-96 An Ordinance Assigning Names to Private Driveways and Private Roads by assigning names to the two heretofore unnamed private lanes in the Souder Subdivision off Dickson Drive. He read the proposed ordinance in its entirety, naming Sunny Hollow Lane and Shady Hollow Lane in the Souder subdivision.

Mrs. Ewald asked if the historic structures on the property have been preserved as required under the 1994 Conditional Use approval. Mr. Kohli responded yes, that the 18th century farmhouse is being repaired and refurbished.

Mr. Kuhn moved to approve Ordinance #87-00 and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mrs. Ewald called for discussion from the Board and then the public, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Zoning Ordinance Amendment to Include Historic Properties over 25 Acres in the Open Space Option as a Conditional Use

Mrs. Ewald tabled this hearing until later in the agenda to await the arrival of Tom Comitta and Ed Theurkauf, who had scheduling conflicts this evening.

Other Business

Resolution Accepting the Deeds of Dedication for Phase III of the Whitehorse @ Charlestown Subdivision

Mrs. Ewald read the proposed resolution in its entirety. Mr. Rodgers moved to approve Resolution #563-2000 accepting the deeds of dedication for Phase III of the Whitehorse at Charlestown (formerly Charlestown Brae) Subdivision and Mr. Willig seconded. Mrs. Ewald called for discussion from the Board and then the public, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Amendment to Planning Commission Appointment

Mrs. Ewald moved to amend the term for Wendy Leland’s appointment to the Planning Commission to end 12/31/2002. Mr. Kuhn seconded. Mrs. Ewald called for discussion from the Board and then the public, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Status of Traffic Signals on Route 401

Karl Pomeroy, 2095 Bodine Road, asked for the status of the two traffic signals to be installed along Route 401 at Valley Hill Road and at Newcomen Road and how the process can be expedited.

Mrs. Ewald explained that traffic studies were undertaken by PennDOT last summer, and re-done in the fall at the Board’s request, as summer traffic counts are much lower than average. The Township received a letter from PennDOT approximately 6-8 weeks ago granting permission for the installation of the signals, and in turn the Board submitted the applications for signalization. Currently the Township is waiting for the completion of PennDOT’s design of the signals. Mr. Kohli said that following the receipt of the designs, he will prepare bid specs and the Township will advertise for bids as required. Preparing the specs will take approximately 1 month, and the bid process about 3 weeks. Lead time will be needed for the manufacturing of the masts for the signals. Installation by the low bidder will take approximately 2-3 weeks. He estimates the entire process to take approximately 6 more months before the signals are installed. At Mrs. Ewald’s request, Mr. Kohli will contact PennDOT and try to expedite the design process.

Request for Speed Limit Study - Hollow Road

Mr. Kuhn asked the Board to consider a request to PennDOT for a speed limit study for Hollow Road, per resident Regina Fried’s request. He suggested studying the entire length of Hollow Road from Route 29 to Yellow Springs Road. Mrs. Ewald directed the Secretary to request the study to determine if a reduction to 25 MPH is supported with copies to Senator Gerlach, Commissioner Dinniman and Mrs. Fried.

Roadmaster

Mr. Rodgers asked the Board to consider reclassifying Dorando Faggioli as a working Roadmaster. He related that Mr. Faggioli was out recently at 2:00 A.M. removing a fallen tree using his own truck and tools. Mr. Rodgers suggested that the Board make an arrangement with Mr. Faggioli relative to his time and use of his vehicle, proposing $25.00 per hour, which he said is a bargain. The cost for using the Contractor would be in the $400-500 range for the same job. Mrs. Ewald said the matter should be taken up in Executive Session as a personnel issue.

Mr. Rodgers also requested that the Board consider supplying Mr. Faggioli with warning lights for his truck.

Sycamore Trees on Sycamore Lane

Mr. Hogan said there are 4 diseased sycamore trees on Sycamore Lane that require removal. The Sycamore Lane Protective Association has $3,000.00 in its account for this purpose and requests $2,500.00 from the Township to help pay for the work. Mr. Hogan said the Association will make all the arrangements for the work to be done. He noted that 3 of the 4 trees are on the property owned by the Korean Church, and that numerous attempts to notify the owners by certified mail have failed. The Township doesn’t have a current address for the owner, whose taxes are in arrears. He suggested the Township perform the tree work on their property and also take care of clean up needed as a result of a barn fire several years ago, then backcharge the owner and lien the property if necessary. Mrs. Ewald suggested considering the issue further and asking for input from the Engineer and Solicitor. The matter was placed on the June 5, 2000 agenda. Mr. Hogan said that the tree removal should proceed since the trees are a serious safety hazard. Mr. Oeste said the trees can be trimmed if in the road right of way but cautioned the Board on setting a precedent by removing them. Mr. Kuhn suggested that PECO be contacted, since their wires are in jeopardy. Mr. Hogan agreed to call them tomorrow and see if they would do the work.

Planning Commission Report

Planning Commissioner Andy Motel gave a summary of four issues discussed by the Planning Commission at their May 9, 2000 meeting:

  1. The Commission denied Vince D’Annunzio’s request for subdivision of Lot #10 at the Somerset Subdivision following a prospective buyer’s request that Lot #10 was too large and contained unusable open space. The proposal was to subdivide off an acre and deed it to the Township. The Planning Commission felt it presented too much of a management problem and suggested Mr. D’Annunzio approach the Homeowners’ Association and see if they would accept the land in the form of an easement.
  2. The Commission voted to support Late Spring Developers’ zoning variance request to allow parking in the front yard, as this design was done on the behest of the Planning Commission to achieve a more aesthetic design of the site.
  3. A proposed ordinance for subsurface discharge drafted by Mr. Kohli was discussed. Mr. Kuhn asked if there was any idea of the cost of this requirement for underground retention to the developer. Mr. Kohli responded that the cost can range from 15-50% more, but that the requirement would be waived under certain circumstances. Mrs. Ewald asked how successful underground basins are in limestone areas. Mr. Kohli said if designed properly, they work well, and he cited Shared Medical Systems and other sites in East Whiteland Township. The applicant must prove that their design will allow the soils to absorb water and disperse it uniformly. Mr. Kuhn asked if East Whiteland Township required all basins to be underground, and Mr. Kohli said no. Mr. Kuhn asked if there was a trade-off incentive for the developer, and Mr. Motel said that for those who qualify for the Open Space Option, the land above the underground systems would qualify as open space.
  4. A proposed ordinance for minor/major subdivision application processes was discussed, which would relax certain infrastructure requirements for a developer who opted to subdivide into lots averaging 10 acres each.

ESG/Insignia Zoning Hearing Board Application

Mr. Oeste said Mr. Kohli recommended he attend the zoning hearing for ESG/Insignia scheduled for May 17, 2000 at 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Nature Center on behalf of the Board. The applicant requests a waiver from parking requirements that would be triggered by the conversion of the existing office building at the corner of Spring Mill Drive and Phoenixville Pike to 100% office space. The initial land development approval set up a parking schedule correlating to the percentage of the building used as offices, warehouse, and lab area. Current market conditions call for the complete conversion to office space, for which existing parking is less than that required. In response to Mr. Willig’s question, the applicant’s alternative would be to build a structured parking lot. The Board directed Mr. Oeste to attend the hearing on its behalf.

Hearing

Zoning Ordinance Amendment to Include Historic Properties over 25 Acres in the Open Space Option as a Conditional Use

The proceeds were taken by a court reporter. The hearing was continued to June 5, 2000. (Both Mr. Theurkauf and Mr. Comitta arrived during the hearing.

Adjournment

Mrs. Ewald adjourned the meeting at 10:10 P.M. and announced that the Board would meet in executive session immediately following the adjournment to discuss personnel matters. The next regular business meeting of the Board of Supervisors is scheduled for June 5, 2000 at 7:30 P.M. at the Valley Forge Christian College, Building #11.

Respectfully Submitted,


Linda M. Csete Township Secretary