Charlestown Township
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The first business meeting for November was held November 7, 2005, at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154. Kevin R. Kuhn, Chairman, Mike Rodgers, Vice Chairman, Paul Hogan, Charlie Philips, Hugh Willig (present for the hearing only), Mark P. Thompson, Esq., James E. McErlane, Esq., Surender Kohli, P.E., Linda M. Csete, Township Administrator, and those on the attached list were present.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M.
No matters were brought forward at this time.
Mr. Kuhn opened the hearing for the ordinance to amend the Official Map of Charlestown Township and the proceedings were recorded by Tom Corcoran, court reporter. The following residents commented on the proposal:
The hearing was then continued to Monday, January 23, 2006 at 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154.
Mr. Willig excused himself from the meeting at this time to leave for a business trip.
Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the October 17, 2005 minutes and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the October 1 - 31, 2005 Treasurer's report, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the November 7, 2005 Operating, Open Space and State Fund Accounts Payable reports, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Rosemary Philips presented a summary of the HARB’s review and recommendation for the Stonorovs’ demolition permit for two modular steel houses, numbers 9 and 10 on the Charlestown Historic Resources Map. David Gifford, Esq. was present on behalf of the Stonorov family. Mr. Gifford proposed an agreement dated 10/28/05 that allows a specified time period for the HARB to dismantle and salvage the houses, and if that is not accomplished, the demolition can proceed. Mr. Philips moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the Stonorov houses, which incorporates the 10/28/05 agreement, and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Rodgers moved to accept the monthly reports as submitted, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Kohli referenced a letter from U.S. Homes offering a contribution to the Township in lieu of relocating 129 trees from the sewer easement area on Charlestown Oaks to places elsewhere on the site. The Secretary confirmed that the Township was agreeable to the contribution amount of $150.00 per tree and that the funds would be turned over to the Charlestown Oaks Homeowners Association after receipt by the Township to be used to supplement the landscaping at both entrances to Charlestown Oaks and to complete two other landscaping improvement projects. Mr. Kohli will contact U.S. Homes regarding the contribution.
Charles Epstein was present to provide an overview of his zoning hearing board application, which seeks an exception in order to permit a subdivision to separate two existing dwellings with one of the lots having a non-conforming side yard of five feet for an existing accessory garage. This side lot line is proposed in order to place the shared driveway entirely on the larger of the two lots with an easement allowing its use by the smaller lot. Mr. McErlane advised that the variance request is deminimus, and the supervisors requested that the Secretary advise the Zoning Hearing Board that they are in favor of granting the request.
Pam Walsh was present to seek a waiver to allow a pool house to be constructed in their side yard, which abuts Foster Road since it is a corner lot with frontage on Bodine Road. Mrs. Walsh provided photos and displayed a site plan showing that the structure would be well screened from the road. Mr. Philips moved to approve the waiver subject to the property owner maintaining the buffer from Foster Road. Mr. Kuhn seconded, and all were in favor.
Gregory J. Davis, Esq., Brett MacKay, P.E. of Chester Valley Engineers, and the applicants, Bradley and Deirdre Francis, were present to discuss the preliminary/final land development plan for the Great Valley Pet Hotel. Mr. Francis displayed color renderings of the proposed project. Mr. Davis said two waivers are requested. One is for planting of the street trees outside of the right of way in order to avoid power lines, and the second is to permit the slope of the detention basin to be greater than 4:1. Mr. Philips moved to approve the Preliminary/Final Land Development Plan for the Great Valley Pet Hotel subject to Mr. Kohli’s review letters of 10/6/05 and 11/3/05. Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
The Secretary referenced a letter received by the township 10/18/05 from Site ID, Inc. which expresses interest in leasing a portion of Township owned property containing about 2,500 square feet along the Pickering Creek for a wireless telecommunications facility. The letter describes the typical facility as consisting of a 12-antenna tower, an estimated 150 feet high, and 240 square foot equipment shelter at the base. The Board directed the Secretary to respond that the township has no interest in leasing its property for this use as it is not permitted in that zoning district.
This matter was tabled until the Secretary receives a request from the Applicant to be scheduled on a future agenda.
Mr. Rodgers moved to authorize an appraisal of the Burgoon property with the understanding that the cost will be reimbursed 100% by the Burgoon family following its completion.
The Solicitor advised that he would accept the liability insurance coverage limits that were specified in the previous contracts that recently expired. The Secretary will prepare the contracts and see to their execution.
Mr. Rodgers moved to authorize the Solicitor to contact Rep. Bob Flick to request an amendment to House Bill 1801, which designates portions of Route 202 and the PA Turnpike as a scenic byway to include that portion of the Turnpike that traverses Charlestown. Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called the vote and all were in favor.
Mr. Philips opened a discussion on the Brightside Farm Strategic Planning Committee’s recommendation that a trail be installed on the property in 2006, for which funding must be provided in the 2006 budget. Mr. Philips moved to include $100,000 in the 2006 budget for planning and development of a trail at the Brightside Farm and Mr. Rodgers seconded. Mr. Kuhn called the vote and all were in favor.
An executive session with the Brightside Farm Committee was scheduled for December 5, 2005 at 6:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School per the committee chair’s request.
Mr. Rodgers moved to authorize advertisement for adoption of the 2006 proposed budget at the December 5, 2005, meeting, 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School, 255 N. Phoenixville Pike, Malvern, Pa 19355, Room 154. Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called the vote, and all were in favor.
Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the advertising of the intent to appoint a Certified Public Accountant to audit the accounts for the year 2005, and Mr. Philips seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
The conditional use hearing for James H. Nadwodny & Kimberly Lynn Janowski, for construction of an addition in steep slopes, was scheduled for December 19, 2005, 7:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154.
Mr. Thompson provided a summary of the conditions outlined in the draft conditional use decision for the Apostolic Christian Church. Mr. Rodgers moved to approve the Decision as drafted, and Mr. Hogan seconded. Mr. Kuhn called for discussion. There being none, he called the vote, and all were in favor.
An executive session was scheduled for the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission for November 21, 2005 at 6:30 P.M. at the Great Valley Middle School.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 P.M. The next meeting is scheduled for November 21, 2005, 7:30 P.M. in Room 154 of the Great Valley Middle School.