CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 11 General Warren Blvd Suite 1 Malvern, PA 19355 Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Present

Call to Order:

Announcements

Mrs. Csete and Mr. Kuhn briefly described a few yet to be finished items for the new office at 11 General Warren Blvd. Please use the podium for comments so the mic and camera can record properly. The meetings will not be live-streamed.

Approval of Minutes

Mr. Walker moved to approve the minutes of October 11, 2022, and Mr. Richter seconded. Mr. Richter called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Subdivision & Land Development Plans

Waiver Request – Molly Concannon

Ms. Molly Concannon requested a waiver to permit the construction of a 26’ x 36’ detached garage in her side yard at her 3005 Sidley Hill Road. Her current side yard, which abuts a street on the corner of Yellow Springs Road, would be the preferred spot and not require tree removal. Her backyard would put the accessory building against the setback. To avoid a waiver the building would have to sit in the front yard.

Mr. Richter moved to approve the waiver request as stated, and Mr. Motel seconded. Mr. Richter called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Alleva Lot Consolidation Plan

Applicant requested this matter be removed from the agenda.

Greene-Marks Preliminary/Final Subdivision Plan

Applicant requested this matter be tabled to the 1/10/23 meeting.

General Planning Items

Jenkins Park Master Plan

Mr. Ed Theurkauf of Theurkauf Design & Planning LLC presented the Master Site Plan for Jenkins Park, which was developed in accordance with the approved concept plan dated 9/13/21. The 3 parcels comprising the Jenkins tract total 16.4 acres. It is located on North Valley Hill Rd. Tonight’s goal was to obtain feedback from the Members before advancing to the Board of Supervisors.

Points of Discussion:

1. To be developed as a neighborhood park for nearby residents, not a destination park.
2. Included in the park are trails, a meadow, a picnic pavilion with picnic tables, a natural playground, and a nature study area.
3. Stormwater management is subsurface (under the meadow) and includes all parking that is being considered. Mr. Wright has the stormwater management costs.
4. Plans included maximizing the preservation of the mature forest, mitigating the impacts of paved surfaces, and implementing restoration strategies that will improve site ecology such as invasive species management.
5. The meadow will create wildlife habitat for pollinators and birds, plus infiltrate stormwater runoff. It will require less maintenance than a lawn.
6. Mr. Wright is completing the construction details for the driveway, trail, and signage.
7. The 8’ paved trail encircles the site for pedestrians and cyclists with a maximum 5% slope for ADA accessibility.
8. The nature playground will use natural materials and there will also be conventional swings.
9. Trash cans and pet waste cans will be maintained.

Parking Lot Discussion

10. The parking lot will be screened along Valley Hill Road and evergreen trees will screen along the eastern property line.
11. Parking includes 8 spots plus 2 handicapped spots. A second set of 10 spots (on the street side) is being held in reserve if additional capacity is needed.
12. Originally the parking was planned farther away from a neighbor, but it required more paving, higher costs, and more clearing and disturbance. Planners did not want to hide the parking.
13. Mr. Theurkauf suggested that the Park and Recreation Board be the first to discuss the threshold for opening the reserved 10 parking spots. Discussion followed about the size and placement of the initial parking lot.
14. Mr. Theurkauf thought it was more efficient to proceed with paving or marking the extra spots, gravel is a compromise.
15. Mr. Churchill didn’t think the extra spots needed paving in comparison to Brightside Farm usage.
16. Ms. McLean wanted Members to consider that there is no foot traffic for Jenkins Park and visitors must drive.
17. Ms. McLean stated that this project was perfect for a grant from both the DCNR and DCED.
18. Mr. Allen suggested measuring the usage and paving the extra if needed.
19. Mr. Richter doesn’t want vehicles parking on the grass, and at least wanted gravel on the spots held in reserve.

Mr. Raymond Clarke, Vice-President of the Open Land Conservancy, discussed potential for trail connections with the McDevitt Trail and the Horseshoe Trail. He asked the Members to gravel or pave all the parking spots so that this linking would benefit the OLC preserve (Kendig property) across the road from Jenkins. The Conservancy would like to partner with the Township and point their visitors to park at this new lot on the north side of the preserve. Mr. Theurkauf said this idea has great potential, especially for Charlestown Oaks, but formal permission from property owners will be necessary. Mr. Clarke was optimistic about County grants for this project.

The Jenkins Plan will advance to the Board, including maps and overlays noting the Conservancy’s preserve and Charlestown Oaks.

General Planning Items

Mr. Allen asked about the second Stillittano minor subdivision review by Mr. Wright. Mrs. Csete responded that the Planning Commission made its recommendation in October, so the plan was scheduled for the Supervisors’ January 3^rd meeting.

Mr. Allen began a discussion about further protecting exceptionally valuable trees. Future discussion may happen regarding specimen, heritage, and witness trees, to further increase the protection just obtained by the fall 2022 ordinance that has provided some measures to protect trees.

Adjournment

There being no further business, Mr. Richter adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m. The next meeting will be held on January 10, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at the Township Building, 11 General Warren Blvd, Malvern, PA.