CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP
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Mr. Heleniak reminded attendees to please sign in and present any comments from the podium.
Mr. Richter opened the floor to nominations. Mr. Richter nominated Matt Rogers as Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission and so moved and Mr. Westhafer seconded. Mr. Richter closed the nominations. Mr. Richter called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Richter opened the floor to nominations. Mr. Westhafer nominated Michael Richter for the position of Chairman of the Planning Commission and so moved. Mr. von Hoyer seconded. There were no further nominations. Mr. Richter closed the nominations. Mr. Richter called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Richter appointed Ms. Wendy McLean as Planning Commission Solicitor and Mr. Rogers seconded. Mr. Richter called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Richter moved to set the 2023 meeting schedule for the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Township Office. Mr. Rogers seconded. Mr. Richter called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Richter moved to approve the December 13, 2022, meeting minutes and Mr. Motel seconded. Mr. Richter called for discussion and there being none called the vote. All were in favor.
Mr. Heleniak stated that the Township is working through some zoning matters before the applicant comes before the Planning Commission with their lot consolidation plan. He further stated that the purpose of the lot consolidation is so the Township can purchase a conservation easement on the property.
Mr. Greg Adelman, Esq., and Mr. Brynn Schaffer, PE, PLS, presented revised plans for the Greene-Marks subdivision at 4219 Howell Road. The applicant was looking for Preliminary Plan approval from the PC. Mr. Adelman began with a list of changes and accomplishments in response to the consultant review letters and waiver requests.
Mr. Wright stated the conservation district and neighbor wanted the applicant to eliminate level spreaders which was the biggest concern. He was pleased that they have been eliminated.
Mr. Westhafer asked for a softening of the grading over the beds. Mr. Shaffer will remove the plateau look.
Mr. Allen suggested a pull-off but the driveway curve has been widened from 12’ to 14’.
Mr. Churchill asked about absorption vs. underground facilities on a slope/plateau.
In response, Mr. Wright conferred the testing, calculations, infiltration, and yearly evaluation by an engineer going forward.
Mr. Richter and Mr. Wright discussed lots 2 and 3 having smaller facilities. This will reduce erosion since less water will travel toward the steep slope after construction.
The Montrose review letter dated 9/1/22 listed the 44 items that are now resolved, yet 2 new comments appeared on the 12/7/22 version. Mr. Wright said calculations for comment #45 worked. The two remaining outstanding comments in the Montrose review letter dated 12/7/22 are now resolved. Mr. Wright said that the applicant has performed the required infiltration testing and has updated the stormwater management calculations accordingly. In addition, the stormwater model has been revised to properly account for tailwater effects from the Howell Road cross pipe.
Mr. George Asimos, Esq., represented Ms. Green and Mr. Beyer of 4221 Howell Road. His points and answers are listed below:
Ms. Green asked why samples were done on a deforested area near her border and Mr. Wright said they wanted more testing/data. (Test sites were marked on the drawings displayed by Carta Engineering)
Ms. Green stated that a review letter dated this March 22nd, from the CCPC, used data from 2017 when the property above her was still heavily forested. The recommendations from the Commission did not take into consideration the “clearing” of the mature trees that happened since and she feels she was given irrelevant recommendations. They have offered to re-review. But the Township must request on her behalf. She asked Members if they would suggest a re-review. Members said they rely on the expertise of the Township consultants and use the CCPC in an advisory manner. Mr. Richter and Mr. Churchill said it would not alter the next steps in the approval process. She stated that the Chester County Planning Commission had the wrong identity of the property, it was not a 9 acre maturely wooded lot. Therefore, the recommendations regarding erosion and sediment control were not valid. The CCPC also had given recommendations regarding trees and stormwater but most of the trees were no longer there, especially the larger ones. Mr. Asimos said he will comment later on this part of the discussion.
Mr. Comitta said most of his comments had been addressed. He received a will comply for the addition of Norway Spruce trees. Mr. Comitta asked why the earlier submission listed an area of 4.5 acres and now is listed at 4. Mr. Shaffer said the area of disturbance had been trimmed. Any disturbance beyond the 4-acre fence perimeter will require a DEP permit.
Ms. Green said Mr. Kellenberger of Kellenberger Excavating LLC, said that more than 75% of trees were removed as a clear-cut, and there was nothing over 12’ left.
Mr. Camens of Chester Valley Engineers discussed stormwater calculations for a poor woodland area in comparison to letters dated October 22, 2022, and early January of this year.
Mr. Goodman found out that a 50-year or 100-year storm would give a minor discharge from this proposed engineered stormwater design.
Mr. Asimos reviewed aspects covered in minutes from prior meetings and reminded the audience that the entire development was above and behind his client. In 1996 the properties were combined but the Township opposed the split as requested for a flag lot. At that time, the Horse-shoe Trail was established, 12” trees needed to be replaced and driveways could serve 2 lots. Since the clear-cut, Ms. Green has dealt with flooding, and temporary fixes (a berm of chips), and spent $42,000 on this issue.
SALDO Section 503.3.B(3) - Cartway Width to be modified to 14′ for the driveway
SALDO Section 503.3M - Intersection Triangle to 50′
SALDO Section 503.3G - Intersection Approach Slope to permit 5% slope
SWMO Section 302.1B(1)(h) - Infiltration Volume to permit recharge volumes per state requirements
Mr. Richter moved to recommend Preliminary Conditional Approval of the Green-Marks Subdivision Application subject to the consultant review comments and the 4 waivers requested (listed above). Mr. Motel seconded. Mr. Richter called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. Mr. Westhafer and Mr. Churchill were not in favor. Mr. von Hoyer, Mr. Rogers, and Mr. Walker were in favor.
Mr. Westhafer welcomed Ms. Ingrid Cantarella-Fox to the Planning Commission meeting. Members suggested she contact the Township Office to list events in the Newsletter and perhaps recruit experienced volunteers.
Mr. Churchill gave an update on the Rails-To-Trails project. This summer TMAC announced opportunities for funding and presented scenarios for ownership. TMAC submitted a grant to the DVRPC. Mr. Heleniak continued saying he has not received word on the grant that was submitted late in 2022. The money will be used towards the title search of the properties that run the length of the trail and for the preliminary design if there are residual funds.
Any documents referred to in the minutes are available to the public upon request at the Township office.
There being no further business, Mr. Richter adjourned the meeting at 8:38 p.m. The next meeting will be held on February 14, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at the Township Building, 11 General Warren Blvd, Malvern, PA.