Board of Supervisors Meeting Minutes

7:30 p.m., Monday, March 28, 2011

 

In attendance: Supervisors – Stephen R. Conary and Georgia F. Brutscher; Gary Summers, Chair, Planning Commission; Committee Chairs – Beverly Bruns, Founders Day; Ezekiel Hubbard, Parks, Recreation and Trails (PRT); Sarah Mims, Historical. Absent: Lauressa J. McNemar, P.E., Supervisor; Mark Knightly, Director, Public Works Department.

 

1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance: Conary called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

2. Announcements: Township will meet with Chester County Personnel on March 31st to review revised plans for the construction of a roundabout on Route 52 and the impact on ingress/egress for Pocopson Home.

 

3. Public Comment: Bruns provided a brief update on plans for Founders Day which will be held on September 18th in Pocopson Park. Sponsorship solicitation letters were mailed and to date $1,200.00 in sponsorship money has been received. Radnor Hunt will again participate. American Helicopter Museum is a new children’s exhibitor.

 

4. West Chester Public Library: Library Board President Howard Sundwall and Library Director Victoria Dow reviewed the 2011 Library Budget, noting that circulation has increased by 20% and funding has decreased by 18%. In order to meet the challenge to continue the level of service and commitment to programs for the community and all age groups, the library cut hours of operation and generally modified operations to work within a very lean budget. The Library Board continues to search for funding through nontaxable sources, and they are appreciative of the allocation received from Pocopson Township. The Library is committed to including free-eBooks in the collection and recently obtained a grant to add 200 eBook titles.

 

5. Frederick W. LeFevre Road Right-of-Way Parcel 63-4-128.1: James Fritsch, P.E., of Regester Associates, Inc., and Frederick W. LeFevre, Applicant, appeared to request final approval of the Final Minor Subdivision Plan dated December 23, 2010, prepared by Regester Associates, Inc. and last revised February 23, 2011, and subject of a Review/Comment Letter prepared by James Hatfield, P.E., Township Engineer dated March 15, 2011. The property is 4.057 acres with 1.872 in Pocopson Township and 2.185 in Pennsbury Township. On March 16, 2011, during its regular meeting, the Pocopson Township Planning Commission (PC) recommended final approval of the project including the requested waivers. Board discussed the March 15, 2011 Township Engineer Review/Comment Letter and the March 28, 2011 Fritsch Waiver Request Letter as follows:

a) Board agrees that active recreation areas, trails, and pathways or sidewalks are not required for this application;

b) The dwelling will be constructed in Pennsbury Township. Plan notes and a Conceptual Future Conservation Plan Sheet have been added to address issues concerning the shared driveway and tree removal. Proposed construction will require removal of one 12” tree in Pocopson Township which is permitted in accordance with the standards of 250-87.

c) Attorney for the Applicant continues to work with the Township Solicitor regarding legal and proposed rights-of-way offered for dedication to Pennsbury and Pocopson Townships and the proposed access utility easement agreement.

d) Applicant awaits approval from Pennsbury Township regarding sequence required for submission of the stormwater management design and building permit plans. Township Engineer recommends submission of these documents to Pocopson for record purposes.

 

Motion: Conary moved, Brutscher seconded, to grant approval of the March 28, 2011 Waiver Request and the Final Minor Subdivision Plan for Frederick W. LeFevre, 2056 Parkersville Road, dated December 23, 2010, and last revised February 23, 2011 (the “Plan”), contingent upon completion of the provisions of the Township Engineer Review/Comment letter dated March 15, 2011 for that Plan, and the following conditions: (1) satisfaction of any and all deficiencies of the escrow account established by the Township to cover engineering and legal review fees incurred by the Township; and (2) the Plan as presented to Pocopson Township Board of Supervisors on March 28th is substantially approved by Pennsbury Township.

 

6. Brandywinepower.com Zoning Variance Request: Gil Davis of Brandywinepower.com (Applicant) and the landowners Anthony and Judith Zeloyle, appeared to discuss an application for a zoning variance for 700 Clarks Lane/Tax Parcel 63-4-84, dated March 8, 2011, for permission to install a ground mount photo voltaic energy system in the front yard. The Applicant appeared before the PC on March 16th, during which time the PC recommended the installation of a conceptual mock-up of the structure on the property and offered no opinion regarding the request for the variance. Board noted that the Township Ordinances provide for appropriate restrictions for front-yard structures. Summers noted that the conceptual mock-up installed on the property as suggested by the PC is not particularly visible to motorists driving by the property. Board tabled the recommendation to the Zoning Hearing Board until the April 11th regular meeting.

 

7. Historical Committee Update: Mims requested guidance from the Board regarding procedures for spending Schoolhouse grant money. Conary stated that the Board is preparing a Township Procurement Policy and expects to have it as an agenda item at the April 11th  Board meeting. Board requested that the Historical Committee Meeting Minutes be provided on a regular basis to Board members. Work on the site plans continues.

 

8. Public Works Report: Board accepted as written and Brutscher read into the record a Public Works Report dated March 28, 2011. Board tabled the request for purchase and installation of a hydraulic truck conveyor.

 

9. Old Business:

a) Barnard House – Brutscher reported that planning efforts continue for opening two rooms in the Barnard House during Founders Day. Fundraising efforts continue with the Chester County Community Foundation and a meeting with Krisp Communications is scheduled for March 30th to discuss collateral materials for fundraising. Volunteers are needed to clean up and decorate the Barnard House grounds for the historical marker dedication ceremony on April 30th.

b) Conditional Approval of the Amended Final Land Development Plan for The Preserve at Chadds Ford (“Plan”) – Toll Brothers representative Mike Klein appeared to discuss final approval of the Plan. Board acknowledged that the revised Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions was received by the Township after close of business today. Conary determined the presence of a quorum to conduct business on this matter, however, a majority vote for approval was not met given that Brutscher dissents. The request for approval was tabled until the April 11th meeting.

c) Deer Management Committee – Board approved request from the Committee to pursue the Township land along Pocopson Road as an area for deer management during the 2011 season.

d) Pocopson Road Land Management Plan – Board reviewed revised land use proposal that clarifies the cost as $3,495.00. 

Motion: Conary moved, Brutscher seconded, to approve the Brandywine Conservancy Revised Proposal for Consulting Services: Pocopson Road Land Use Study in the amount of $3,495.00, dated March 28, 2011, for a recreational land use study for the 34-acre Parcel dedicated by Toll Brothers to the Township with the expense allocated to the PRT budget.

e) Open Space Advisory Committee – Motion: Conary moved, Brutscher seconded, to approve the recommendation submitted by the Open Space Advisory Committee regarding the Yelton property.

 

10. New Business: Board approved the request to pursue bids for property insurance coverage from other insurance companies.

 

11. Correspondence: Board approved the request from the Founders Day Committee to endorse the contract with the American Helicopter Museum to provide an exhibit.

 

12. Treasurer’s Warrants: Conary moved, Brutscher seconded, to approve the Bill Payment Lists for March 15-28, 2011 recommended for payment by the Treasurer with a condition to withhold disbursement of the payment to CDW-G pending confirmation by Sage Business Systems, Inc., that network components have been received. General Fund: 25 bills paid/checks written totaling $65,614.54; 1 debit card purchase of $39.95. Highway Aid: 4 bills paid totaling $3,768.10. Open Space Loan: 1 bill for $340.15.

 

13. Approval of March 14, 2011 Meeting Minutes: Approval of Meeting Minutes tabled to April 11th meeting.

 

14. Adjournment: At 9:10 p.m. Conary moved, Brutscher seconded to adjourn the meeting.

 

 

 

 

   ______________________________________________                 _________________________________________

   Susan Simone, Administrative Secretary                           Stephen R. Conary, Chair