CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
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A special meeting was held November 8, 1999 at the Great Valley Nature Center, 4251 State Road, Devault. John B. Sauser, Robert C. Wert, Irene W. Ewald (arrived later), Surender S. Kohli, P.E., Thomas F. Oeste, Esq. , Ed Theurkauf, Linda M. Csete, Secretary, and those on the attached attendee list were present.
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M.
There were no announcements.
No items were brought forward at this time.
Michael Churchill presented the Board with 500 completed forms and a summary report of an informal survey conducted at the polls on November 2nd. The results indicated that that 451 people (90%) were in favor of the acquisition of the 55 acre Yellow Springs Road parcel presently owned by the Great Valley School District. 49 people were opposed.
(Mrs. Ewald arrived at this time.)
Mr. Sauser referred to two Zoning Hearing Board applications made by William F. and Barbara E. Hochwind. Mr. Hochwind’s Application #4-99 is a variance request that would permit access to Parcel #35-2-4 on Lindsay Lane and renovation and expansion of existing buildings on that parcel. Mr. And Mrs. Hochwind’s application #6-99 is a variance request for parcel #35-2-2.15, that would permit the granting of an easement providing access to parcel #35-2-4. Mr. Sauser stated that prior to the opening of the hearing for application #4-99, there had been no consensus of the Board when the Township Solicitor was instructed to represent them. Since that time, Mr. Sauser had an opportunity to review the minutes of 3/18/96, which recorded a 2-1 vote in favor of instructing the Zoning Officer to issue a building permit for Lot 13, and to take a position of non-interference on any Zoning Hearing Board request for access to the adjoining lot.
Mr. Sauser moved to instruct the Solicitor to withdraw his appearance on behalf of the Township for application #4-99 and not plan to appear for application #6-99. Mr. Wert seconded. Mrs. Ewald requested an executive session to discuss the matter with the Solicitor. Mr. Sauser called a recess at 7:40 P.M. for this executive session and reconvened the meeting at 8:00 P.M. Mrs. Ewald requested that a letter recently received by the Township be entered into the record of the minutes. Mr. Sauser and Mr. Wert denied her request. Mr. Sauser called for the vote. Mr. Sauser and Mr. Wert were in favor, and Mrs. Ewald was opposed, stating that the Township must uphold its ordinances with no appearance of compromise. Mr. Wert stated that he voted in favor based on the decision of the Board in 1996, in the interest of consistency with that Board and seeing no reason to act as an appellate body to it.
Mr. Oeste reported that Mr. McErlane has been unable to gain support from Congressman Weldon on initiating a process to gain approval to reduce the parapet height from 42 inches to 32 inches from the Federal Government. Mr. Sauser stated that by not acting to approve PennDOT’s plot plan dated 8/30/99, the Township risks losing PennDOT’s agreement to other conditions negotiated earlier this year on minimal construction easements and a more visually appealing façade to the bridge itself. He moved to approve PennDOT’s plot plan dated 8/30/99 depicting an area of acquisition to be deeded over to PennDOT, 2 construction easements and a right of way. Mr. Wert seconded. Mr. Sauser and Mr. Wert were in favor, and Mrs. Ewald was opposed.
Mr. Sauser asked his fellow Board members to review the draft budget provided by the Township Treasurer and return any comments to her prior to the November 15, 1999 meeting, at which time the budget can be scheduled for advertising.
Mr. Oeste reconvened the hearing, which had been continued from November 1, 1999. The proceedings were recorded by a court reporter. The hearing was continued to November 15, 1999 at 7:30 P.M. at the Charlestown Elementary School.
The Board requested that the Planning Commission review and comment on Exhibit A-9, a sketch plan for the tract that had been modified from the last sketch they reviewed. Mr. Philips agreed to place the matter on the Planning Commission agenda for November 9, 1999.
No items were brought forward at this time.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 P.M.