Pocopson Township
Chester County, Pennsylvania
 

Hubbard welcomed Tracy Plunkett staff member from Representative Steve Barrar’s office to the meeting.  Ms. Plunkett said she is a township resident and would be attending the Board meetings to update Rep. Barrar on township activities.

Planning Commission Report:  Recommendation:  Bill Waddington reported on the appeal from township ordinances submitted to the ZHB, by resident, Bruce Yelton.  Waddington noted that Mr. Yelton is in violation of the home occupation ordinance with more than one occupation in the building, site distance issues on Route 52, and the num ber of employees at the location.  The PC unanimously recommended the ZHB deny his application.  Waddington also reported on the appeal from Brandon Margera who is filming television episodes, building without permits, and creating noise during the night at this home on Hickory Hill Road.  The PC unanimously recommended the ZHB deny his application.
Waddington asked whether a fence screening had been required for the Fence Authority property along Route 52.  Sellers asked the secretary to research this issue and report back to the Board. 
 

Traffic Signal at Route 52 & Pocopson Road:  Hubbard reported he had met with several representatives from East Penn Railway, PennDOT Traffic, PennDOT Utilities, PA PUC, TP&D, & John Fenn to discuss timing requirements for traffic signal preemption at highway-rail grade crossings at Route 52 and Pocopson Road.  The signals will be coordinated to work in conjunction with the signals at Route 926 and Pocopson Road.

 
Toll Brothers / Riverside – Escrow Release: 
Motion:  Sellers moved, Brutscher seconded to approve escrow release # 03 for  $1,451,582.00 in connection with improvements at the Riverside Development.  A construction sum payable to Pocopson Township of $30,573.52 has been added to the developer’s release request.  Motion carried.
Trails - Sellers reviewed the trail changes for the Riverside project.  The Board agreed with the proposed changes to the sidewalks in the Riverside subdivision.   The secretary will require Tom Kessler, Toll Brothers Project Manager, to have the trails portion of the plan re-recorded at the County. 

Taylor’s Run at Red Bridge – Escrow Release: 
Motion:  Hubbard moved, Sellers seconded to approve escrow release # 01 in connection with improvements at Taylor’s Run, Red Bridge Farms, in the amount of $37,913.70 with an inspection fee of $3,732.00.  Motion carried.

Trails and Bikeways Grants:  Sellers said the Brandywine Conservancy should be notified to reapply for state grants to assist with matching funds for the County trails and bikeways grant.  This grant will need to be matched by November 2007.  Sellers said the $120,000 contribution from Toll Brothers cannot be received until the open space at Riverside has been taken for dedication.  Hubbard said the tot lot and pavilion will be installed this summer and are considered part of the Founder’s Day event planned for September.

Resolution #02: 
Motion:  Brutscher moved, Hubbard seconded accept Resolution #2 of 2007 which changes the name of the Open Space Committee to the Parks, Recreation & Trails committee.  Motion carried.

Roads Report:  Harwood said he was in the process of repairing the washout on Creek Road. 

Deanna Kretzschmar – Sewage Planning Module:  Susanna Cointot, Zoning Enforcement Officer, was present and said the applicant, Mrs. Kretzschmar, who is proposing an accessory dwelling, has not made application for conditional use so there is nothing to review at this time.  Mrs. Cointot said the applicant has a land use attorney.  Harwood reported he had reviewed the site distance at the Kretzschmar driveway entrance and said the accessory dwelling would meet the 500’site distance requirement.  

Sprint Communications Tower:  The Board discussed and agreed the application of Sprint Communications should include landscaping around the outside edge of the compound and this landscaping should be incorporated into the plan.   The Board agreed to sign the plan outside of a public meeting.

Zoning and Building:
Brandon Margera:  Mrs. Cointot reported there is a Court hearing on Wednesday before the District Justice.  Mrs. Cointot said the hearing will most likely be continued since Mr. Margera is on his honeymoon.  Mrs. Cointot said she will be at the hearing along with the township solicitor on Wednesday, February 14th at 11:00 a.m. for a code violation of noise and construction with permits.  Margera has also appealed to the Zoning Hearing Board for relief and is currently scheduled for March 22.

Mrs. Cointot said she is working on several other propertities that have zoning violations in the township.

Sellers suggested an article for the spring newsletter on home occupation requirements in the township.

Sellers also noted the Board shall meet with Rich O’Brien, Keystone Municipal Services, to discuss permit fees during a work session.

Open Space Advisory Committee:  Conary reported the Open Space Advisory Committee has submitted the Open Space Protection Priorities Plan to the township’s attorney for review and requested the Brandywine Conservancy to produce a map depicting tracts of land by tax parcel and landowner’s name that are eligible for easement or purchase.  Conary said his committee will be make a presentation to the PC this month.

Brutscher volunteered to be the township liaison for the Historic Committee and Open Space Advisory Committee.  The secretary will email the membership lists to Brutsher.

Minutes of January 26, 2007: 
Motion:  Brutscher moved, Sellers seconded to accept the minutes of January 26, 2007 as accepted.  Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Warrants and Report:  The warrants were approved and signed as submitted.  The secretary gave the BOS the 2006 end of the year report.

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 11:05 a.m.

_____________________                                                      _____________________
Karen J. Eckard, Secretary                                                       H. William Sellers, Chair