CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES GREAT VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL 255 N. PHOENIXVILLE PIKE, MALVERN, PA 7:30 p.m. TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2018

Present

Call to Order:

7:35 p.m.

Announcements

There were no announcements.

Approval of Minutes

February 13, 2018 Minutes

Mr. Richter moved to approve the minutes of February 13, 2018, and Mr. Churchill seconded. Mr. von Hoyer called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Sketch Plan

Apostolic Church Sketch Plan

Mr. Allan Zimmerman from Commonwealth Engineers was present to discuss the Apostolic Church Sketch Plan dated 2/14/18. The proposal involves renovations of the church building originally reviewed and proposed in 2008. The applicant was told to review the Advanced GeoServices letter dated 2/22/18 and the Thomas Comitta Associates letter dated 2/22/18. The next step is to proceed to the Preliminary/Final Plan.

Points of discussion:

• The current sketch footprint is slightly smaller than the previous vision.
• They are trying to preserve the Bur Oak south of the church building (40 inch cal).
• Applicant may want to revise the exterior lighting plan.
• The proposed parking count indicates the parking lot will be one stall short.
• Trees installed as a part of the 2008 project do not have to be replaced per Mr. Wright.
• Applicant was reminded to maintain the basin as natural and not to mow it.

General Planning

Review Conditional Use General Standards & Criteria

Mr. Comitta led a review of Section 27-1809 of the Zoning Ordinance, entitled Standards for Approval of Conditional Uses by the Board of Supervisors. He proposed a number of additions to the standards and some amendment of existing requirements.

For Part 18. ADMINISTRATION

1. (no change)
2. (no change)
3. (no change
4. The word “moral” will be removed and the sentence changed. It will read “The use would not adversely impact the maintenance of the health, safety, and general welfare of the Township.”
5. (no change)
6. Delete
7. (no change)
8. Delete
9. The word “any” will be removed.
10. The word excessive will be replaced by Mr. Comitta.
11. The sentence will begin with “The proposed use will provide”
12. Same as K, the word “adequate” will be removed.
13. Same as K, the word “adequate” will be removed.
14. Same as above.
15. Same as above, with the addition of applicable ordinances to be noted.
16. Minor edit.
17. Minor edit.
18. Minor edit.
19. Mr. Wright stated some Conditional Uses don’t require an Environmental Impact Assessment, therefore, the phrase “unless a waiver is appropriate” should be added

For CONDITIONAL USE STANDARDS & CRITERIA

Page 1, items 3 & 4 (#4 should be bold) are being considered for a move to a different section.

Page 2, item 5 (should be bold)

Page 3, item d, private club may be removed or move to I/O/B

Page 8, item 1) and 2), shall include “required by the Township”/

Mr. Comitta will return after a meeting with Mr. Thompson and Mr. Wright, with 3 issues clarified. He will research Uses with backup criteria.

1. There is a lack of defined terms, some terms are outdated, terms needing consistency.
2. Which Uses do we want to use? Be wary of banning legitimate Uses and occupations which do not impose big burdens on neighbors and which will help owners be able to keep their properties or not sell off lots.
3. What are the explicit standards?

Other Business

There was none.

Administrative Note

Any documents referred to in the minutes are available to the public upon request to the Township office.

Adjournment

There being no further business, Mr. von Hoyer adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m.