CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP
JOINT SESSION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES FROM BUS TOUR - SELECTED TOWNSHIP LOCATIONS
4030 WHITEHORSE ROAD, DEVAULT PA
SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 2020

Present

Supervisors:
Hugh Willig, Susan Bednar, Charlie Philips
Planning Commission:
Michael Churchill, Michael Richter, Wendy Leland, Andy Motel, Matt Rogers, Bill Westhafter
Consultants:
Dan Wright and Tom Comitta
Staff:
Linda Csete, Mike Allen, and Marie Stone

The group met at the township office parking lot for departure at 9:00 a.m. and visited the following locations:

  1. Devault Foods

    2. Mr. Comitta and Mr. Motel noted that Arcadia Land Co. (Jason Duckworth, Robert Davis and Chris Leinberger, principals) may become involved in the planning for the Fillippo-owned properties in the TND district. Mr. Comitta suggested inviting the principals to a planning commission or subcommittee meeting for preliminary planning discussion. There may be an opportunity to exchange a portion of Fillippo-owned land and with the township’s 6.2 acre property in Devault to better situate the future township office.

    Mr. Allen pointed out the possible two locations for a connector road between the Devault Foods property and Spring Oak.

  2. Spring Oak & Devault Village at Spring Oak

    3. Ms. Bednar related residents’ concerns of adding the Devault Village at Spring Oak traffic through their Spring Oak neighborhood.

    Mr. Comitta said Dan Mallach is talking with JP Orleans’ George Bennis about plans to add screening between Spring Oak and the Devault Foods plant.

    An upcoming Design Review Committee meeting will discuss the Applicant’s request to add additional units that feature a garage under the house at Devault Village at Spring Oak. Driveway lengths were also discussed relative to this feature.

  3. Pickering Crossing

    4. Mr. Motel pointed out the location of a future connector road from Rt. 29 at the Pickering Crossing entrance through to Whitehorse Road

    Many noted the nice details incorporated into the townhouses,

  4. Swiss Pines

    5. For many it was the first visit to this extensive area, travelling down both Tree Lane and Swiss Lane to see the rental residences, the Llewellen mansion, Japanese gardens and grounds of the property. There was some discussion of the deteriorating state of the mansion and the HARB requirements to keep it maintained to avoid demolition by neglect.

  5. Charlestown Park & University of Valley Forge

    6. Mr. Philips noted that about 2 years ago, university officials discussed a possible land acquisition for the township of approximately 10 acres, and the group discussed renewing this possibility.

  6. Meyer Property

    7. With a pending subdivision approval for 5 lots on 23.8 acres, the group observed the location of neighboring properties where there were stormwater run-off concerns, and the intersection of Bodine Road and Seven Oaks Road.

  7. Highland Lane and Trevor Lane cul-de-sacs

    8. The two layouts were viewed. Trevor Lane’s cul-de-sac is smaller and consists of a circular area with a planted center. Highlands Lane has a larger tear drop shaped cul-de-sac with center planting.

  8. Charlestown Meadows

    9. The PRD was visited at the close of the tour.

The tour ending at 11:00 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,


Linda M. Csete
Township Manager