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CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP
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Present
Call to Order:
7:00 p.m.Announcements
Mr. Allen congratulated the Township staff on another successful Charlestown Township Annual Report.
Mr. Richter reminded everyone to sign in and said there were agendas available near the sign-in sheet.
Approval of Minutes
Mr. Walker moved to approve the May 9, 2023, Planning Commission meeting minutes and Mr. Rogers seconded. Mr. Richter called for discussion and there being none, called the vote. All were in favor.
Plan Reviews
Beyond Meat Final Land Development Plan
Mr. Michael Keffer, P.E. of Light-Heigel and Associates, and Mr. Timothy Dietrich, Esq., of Barley Snyder LLP, presented the updates on the conditions of the Preliminary Approval. The first main condition is to satisfy an engineering review letter delayed by the Turnpike Commission. This is preventing the reps from requesting final approval of the plan for Beyond Meat. Secondly, there are legal issues surrounding Devault Lane and the steps to vacate it. Once the owner of the land takes action or provides a signature, then the stormwater and financial security steps can be completed.
Montrose Environmental letter dated 5/4/23- addressed by Mr. Keffer:
Comment 14. Timetables for proposed covenants, security for completion, and maintenance of improvements shall be provided. The construction cost estimate will include the T-wall retaining wall and berm earthwork. They will be included in the construction cost estimate. Will comply.
Comment 19. Resolved but later questioned by Mr. Churchill regarding the clarity of the rep’s description/verbiage. Mr. Keffer will reword this in his follow-up letter after tonight’s meeting. There is no increase in the water but calculations portray a change since the ordinance requires the predevelopment status to be a meadow. Mr. Wright agreed with this resolution and the waiver has already been granted.
Comment 28. Slowly moving toward approval but waiting on the Turnpike’s responses.
Comment 36. The operation and maintenance agreement for stormwater facilities is at Beyond Meat for comment. The reps are also waiting for the Turnpike to approve supporting documents for the Notification of Adequacy to cover the transition from current to newly constructed facilities.
Comment 63. Resolved
Comment 64. Mr. Keffer portrayed underground facilities (in an easement not being removed by the Turnpike). They would not approve the hook-up, but a level spreader was approved. The next steps are to provide Mr. Wright with calculations and to contact the Conservation District.
TCA letter updated 5/5/23- Mr. Keffer portrayed exhibits. The existing building, the to-be-demolished sections, and the visuals of the façade were included.
Comment 1. Applicant moved the new building, added robust buffer plantings, and moved the parking to the front addressing the adverse offsite impacts for the Spring Oak TND community. Resolved
Comment 2. The earth from the retaining wall will widen the berm. There is a sewer line underneath the berm and it will be screened by using 100 trees (16 originally planned). Trees disturbed will be reused and Tri-color Tree Planting and Nursery may be contacted to reinstall those trees in their original spot. The request to use the same size trees on top of the 3-foot higher berm came from resident Mr. Kumar. He asked if the same size trees aren’t on the plan, could trees be planted now so they are taller? He has waited years for the trees to screen and removal of them would decrease his property value.
Comment 15. Will comply.
Conclusion
| 16. | A. | Yes, they are widening the berm. |
| 16. | C. | They will verify the planting schedule. |
| 18. | E. | The low-maintenance exterior portrayed a green strip around the top of the building. |
| • | Mr. Comitta discussed design approval being withheld until the façade was received from an architect/design team. | |
| • | Everyone agreed to the deletion of the green horizontal stripe. | |
| • | Everyone agreed that there needed to be architectural drawings and a design team for the project. | |
| • | Mr. Keffer and Mr. Dietrich were hesitant to reopen the design subject with the client at this stage. The reps wanted parameters to take back with them. Discussion followed until the reps stated they would see if the client would discuss it further.. | |
| 16. | H. | A note will be on the plan that 100 trees will be provided on the berm as long as fill comes out of the retaining area successfully as planned. |
Mr. Allen said Milton Drive, which links Spring Oak but is partially owned by Beyond Meat, needs to be noted on the Plan. No building is allowed on the strip of land for 10 years from the day of recording. Ms. Fillippo questioned the layout of Milton Drive; it goes to Whitehorse Road.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Mr. Richter adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m. The next meeting will be held on June 13, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at 11 General Warren Blvd., Suite 1, Malvern, PA.
Lisa Gardner, Recording Secretary
