CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION Chester County Historical Society Third Floor, Classroom #1 225 N. High Street West Chester, PA Saturday, February 8, 2014

Present:

Planning Commission: Wendy Leland, Chair, Michael Allen, Michael Churchill, Michael Richter, Andre von Hoyer, and Andy Motel. Bill Westhafer, Vice-Chairman was absent.

Consultants: Thomas Comitta AICP, CNU-A, RLA

Staff: Lisa Gardner

Call to Order and Introduction

9 a.m.

Initial Exercise

Members were told to draw a heart around a place in Charlestown Township that they love. The discussions covered the following “Take-Aways”.

• Conditional Use Standards & Criteria
• Conditional Use Review & Evaluation Process
• Stakeholder Outreach
• Plan & Submission Requirements
• Environmental Impact Assessment Reports
• Viewshed Protection
• Conceptual Diagram
• Adaptive Re-Use of Historic Building & Sites

The ABC’s of the MPC

Mr. Comitta distributed a highlighted version of the MPC to point out some tools as they relate to threshold items before the CTPC.

• Monitor/Track initiatives that are in progress
• Determine updates to 2001 Comprehensive Plan
• Apply for Vision Partnership Funds

Best Practices from Other Municipalities

Mr. Comitta distributed a Food for Thought page with a list of 12 Best Practices from other Municipalities. He also urged Members to take advantage of the DVRPC and the Chester County Planning Commission, and to use outside agency resources.

Discuss Ordinance Provisions for Parking

Mr. Comitta said the Ordinance for parking may need to be revised (1979). Discussion followed regarding downsizing of current off-street parking requirements, strengthening shared parking provisions, and evaluating existing off-street parking provisions.

Planning Needs for 2014 and Beyond

Mr. Randy Waltermyer of the Chester County Planning Commission joined the meeting. Topics of discussion were as follows.

• Transportation & Traffic
• Benefits of analyzing uses and creating an official map that includes future vision
• Improvements to intersections, traffic calming/safety, and truck traffic
• Participate in evaluation of Slip Ramp Study
• ARLE grant

Other Items for Discussion or Comments

Mr. Comitta concluded the session with suggestions from Members about improving communications between themselves, the Board of Supervisors, the community, the surrounding townships, etc.

Adjournment

Mrs. Leland adjourned the meeting at 2:30 p.m. The Planning Commission’s next meeting is February 11, 2014 at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 1540

Respectfully submitted,


Lisa Gardner, Recording Secretary