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CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP
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Present:
Planning Commission: Wendy Leland, Chair, Bill Westhafer, Vice Chairman, Michael Allen, Michael Churchill, Andy Motel, Michael Richter, and Andre von Hoyer.
Consultants: Randy Patry, P.E, Thomas Comitta
Staff: Linda Csete, Manager, Lisa Gardner, Recording Secretary
Public: Don and Liz Andersen, Mike Rodgers, Kevin Kuhn and Hugh Willig
Call to Order:
7:35 p.m.Announcements
Mr. Comitta expressed his thanks for the recognition he received on June 22nd.
Mr. von Hoyer said the next Act 209 Transportation Meeting is being held at the Township Office on July 23rd at 7:30pm.
Mrs. Leland provided updates on the following:
- The Brightside Farm received approval for renovations by the Board of Supervisors, not to exceed $200,000 in 2013. This includes renovations to the house and “mothballing” of the other buildings.
- 53 acres known as the Volpi property were purchased by the Township for $876,129.23. Supervisor Willig, present in the audience, gave credit to the perseverance of James McErlane, and the Township Solicitor, Mark Thompson. Mrs. Leland expressed her thanks to the Supervisors, and said Dale Frens would be drafting a quote for stabilization of the historic house on the property.
Approval June 11, 2013 Minutes
Mrs. Leland moved to approve the June 11, 2013 minutes with recommended changes, and Mr. von Hoyer seconded. Mrs. Leland called for discussion, there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Old Business
Recommendation on Amendments to the Traditional Neighborhood Development Ordinance (Area 3) and Perimeter Setbacks
Mr. Comitta said an additional amendment has been proposed for the perimeter setbacks in the TND zoning districts for when similar TNDs abut each other. The Supervisors plan to hold a hearing on September 3rd. The draft amendment was changed by deleting parts O.3-5 so the change applies to TND Area 1 only. To complete the draft, part O.2 was changed to read “When two TND1 areas abut one another, in which case a 5-foot perimeter setback shall apply.”
Mr. Motel moved to recommend the proposed amendment to the TND zoning district relating to perimeter setbacks with the changes made this evening, and Mr. von Hoyer seconded. Mrs. Leland called for discussion, there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Second, Mr. Comitta said that the Supervisors need a formal motion on the TND amendment to allow hotel use in Area 3 before the August 5th meeting. He confirmed this must be reviewed by the Regional Planning Commission as well by as the Chester County Planning Commission.
Mrs. Leland moved to ratify the previously Approved Motion recommending the proposed amendment to TND Area 3 to allow hotel use, and Mr. Allen seconded. Mrs. Leland called for discussion, there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
New Business
Donald & Liz Andersen – Request for Waiver to Permit Accessory Structure in a Side Yard abutting a Street
Donald & Elizabeth Andersen were present to request a waiver to construct a planting terrace, garden wall and gazebo in a side yard of their property at 23 Eastwick Drive that abuts a street.
Mr. Churchill moved to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve the waiver. Mrs. Leland seconded. Mrs. Leland called for discussion, there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Valley Forge Sewer Authority Update
Mr. Comitta opened the discussion by addressing capacity, using a chart entitled East Whiteland Project. Mr. Motel stated that figures currently in the 5-10 year range may be more valid if moved to the 0-5 year slots
The DEP and Arrow Engineering have estimated the flows to be conveyed through East Whiteland Township to include the TND projects in Charlestown. The DEP has 120 days to approve this special study, so the project to expand the pipe is not at bid stage yet. However, there are 8 homes expected to be finished at this time next year in each of the Spring Oak and Pickering Crossing developments, for a total of 16 units. This may require developers to submit Pump & Haul Permits to the DEP as an interim solution due to timing of the project.
Mr. Churchill suggested developers obtain professional advice regarding cost appropriation, etc. He requested chart figures and facts to be double checked.
Several facts came from discussion among audience members, Township consultants, and the Planning Commission.
- Some developers have paid credits to reserve capacity/future hookups.
- Costs for the VFSA Treatment Plant Expansion Upgrade are estimated at $2-3 million.
- VFSA project costs are being directed toward developers (by proportion of flow) upfront.
- Developers do not want to bear these costs alone.
- The VFSA has established special hookup costs for others wanting service.
- No Charlestown Township roads need to be disturbed for this project.
- No Charlestown Township improvements need to be made to meet the maximum capacity on the chart.
- In ten years Charlestown Township may need to increase the diameter of the pipes.
- Developers have the four following costs to consider, adding sewer, adding pipe, adding hookup, and a fixed final cost of $4400 for tie in.
Mr. Comitta said Arrow Engineering and East Whiteland Township need a better cost estimate and also need to consider how to allocate those costs. How to best share and appropriate project cost remains to be decided with the VFSA.
Several questions arose from further discussion.
- To what extent is the fact that the sewer already being over capacity now something a potential developer would need to consider?
- How consistent or valid are the flows on the chart? Currently developers of Spring Oak and Pickering Crossing are questioning these projected figures.
- Who would pay for improvements and at what point on the timeline would these payments be required?
- Shouldn’t current users also bear part of the burden of a system being over capacity?
Mr. Rodgers, representing the VFSA, presented these facts to the PC Members.
- The township that the flow is going through is responsible for the change/costs.
- Developers can reserve capacity for the treatment plant only. The money being paid ahead of time does not apply towards conveyance or hookup.
- At a recent meeting, the project cost was estimated by the VFSA at $2.2 million.
- The VFSA Treatment Plant owners are Schuylkill, East Pikeland, and Charlestown Township.
A July 15th meeting was canceled and instead a public meeting will be scheduled to establish procedures and determine appropriations. A court reporter may be used and legal advice regarding the Sunshine Law may be requested.
Mrs. Csete will send a letter to the VFSA before the meeting, to give them time to provide a tentative formula that allocates costs to prospective and existing users. This letter will emphasize the urgent need for information. Ideally, this data needs to be received at least a week prior to the meeting, to give Members time to review. Mrs. Csete will request a place on their August 12th agenda (7pm). Financial questions such as how the VFSA will assure payment to East Whiteland may be topics addressed.
Adjournment
Mrs. Leland made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Mr. Motel seconded. Mrs. Leland called for discussion, there being none, adjourned the meeting at 9:35 p.m. Taking August off, the Planning Commission’s next scheduled meeting is Sept. 10, 2013 at the Great Valley Middle School, Room 154.
Lisa Gardner