CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 11 General Warren Blvd, Suite 1 Malvern, PA 19355 Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Present

Call to Order:

Announcements

There were none.

Approval of Minutes

Mr. Rogers moved to approve the January 10th, 2023, meeting minutes and Mr. Walker seconded. Mr. Richter called for discussion and there being none called the vote. All were in favor.

Danilowicz-Accessory Structure in the Front Yard

Before Mr. David Danilowicz began, Ms. Green requested clarification on waiver vs. permit procedures. General township protocol questions were answered by the planning commissioners, Chris Heleniak, and Tom Comitta. Mr. Richter, finding out the discussion was turning toward the 4219 Howell Road application, did not allow her to continue. He stated it was not on the agenda and had been heard at the February Board of Supervisors Meeting.

Mr. Danilowicz distributed plot plans and architectural drawings for discussion. He described a narrow lot with an older shed standing in a clearing at the turnaround near the road (Route 401) and going deeper into woods, their home with a fenced acre, and beyond that approximately another half-acre of undisturbed woodland. He has requested a waiver to permit the construction of a detached two-story 24 x 24’ garage in his front yard setback at 516 Conestoga Road.

1. It would be built in the only clearing on the property and is near an existing shed.
2. Placing it anywhere else on the property would disturb heavily wooded areas or their landscaped areas.
3. The second floor is for storage, with no plans to make it a dwelling.
4. Electric is planned but no plumbing.
5. There are plans for a grading permit and stormwater management.

Mr. Comitta noted that the current shed is an existing non-conforming accessory building. Mr. Walker mentioned the property being partially in East Whiteland, especially near the driveway per ChescoViews. Mr. Danilowicz stated he pays Charlestown Township taxes and the Members agree on the possible inaccuracy of the website.

Mr. Rogers moved to recommend approval of the waiver request for a two-story garage in the front yard setback with the condition that the upstairs is not used as a dwelling. Mr. Richter seconded. Mr. Richter called for discussion, and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.

Zoning Ordinance Amendment to Part 2 Definitions

Mr. Heleniak gave reasoning for the change of definition for an accessory dwelling unit.

Mr. Richter moved to approve the proposed amendment to Part 2, definitions, of Chapter 27, Zoning Ordinance, to permit an existing structure with separate utilities to be considered an accessory dwelling unit in cases where a property is more than 20 acres in size and is subject to a conservation easement, and prohibits condominiums. Mr. von Hoyer seconded. Mr. Richter called for discussion and there being none called the vote. All were in favor.

Adjournment

There being no further business, Mr. Richter adjourned the meeting at 7:28 p.m. The next meeting will be held on March 14, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at 11 General Warren Blvd., Suite 1, Malvern, PA.