Board of Supervisors’ Meeting
8:45 a.m., Monday, July 11, 2005
Sellers called the meeting to order at 9:48 a.m.
and opened with the pledge of allegiance. Supervisors Brutscher and
Hubbard were in attendance along with the township’s solicitor, Ross
Unruh.
Steve Conary, PC Member, entered the meeting at 9:17 a.m.
Announcements: Brutscher reported that she is
attending a meeting at DEP on Thursday, July 5th.
Open Space Committee Report: Hubbard reported
that the Open Space Committee is meeting tonight at 5:00 p.m. to hear a
presentation from the Brandywine Conservancy on different ideas for
funding the purchase of open space.
Bragg Hill Road / Road Closing: Mr. and Mrs. Mark Thompson were
present and asked the Board why they proposed the closing of Bragg Hill
Road. Sellers said the road is not up to the township’s construction
standards and is a liability to the township. Thompson asked if any
resident along Bragg Hill Road does not agree to the road closing will the
road remain open. Sellers said this was not necessarily true. Thompson
said he would like to come to an agreement on how the road closing will be
handled as it pertains to his lots on Bragg Hill Road. Thompson said he
would like the agreement dated June 28, 2005 clarified, and the
turn-around issue resolved. Thompson and his wife said they are fine with
the proposed trail easement along Bragg Hill Road. Brutscher said she
will meet the Thompsons at 1:00 p.m. on Friday the 15th along
with Bill Harwood to walk the road and determine what is the best possible
why to resolve the location of the two gates that will be installed when
the road is officially closed.
Toll Brothers / Sheeder Tract:
Representatives from Toll Brothers: Tom Kesseler, Toll Brothers, Inc.;
Christopher Schubert, Attorney; David Rentschler, P.E., Commonwealth
Engineers; Jeff Todd and Andrew Semon, Traffic Planning & Design;
Chris Schubert said the goal this morning is to move
the plan forward and discuss any outstanding issues to get final plan
approval. Schubert said it is understood by Toll Brothers that this
approval will be with conditions. Unruh, township solicitor, said that
the HOA documents should include wording that states the street trees need
to be on the property deeds and that they are not to be cut down.
Schubert said the signs for the two entrances will be a separate building
permit, and Toll Brothers acknowledges that the proposed signage on the
plan does not meet township ordinance. The Board expressed concern over
the name of the community and stated they would appreciate not having the
community named as if it is located in Chadds Ford. The Board would
prefer a name that associates the community with the surrounding areas,
such as Lenape or Pocopson.
Jeff Todd, TP&D, said that the HOP permits are slated to be submitted to
PennDOT on the 22nd of June. Sellers discussed the location of
the Lenape Road (Route 52) entrance and what easements would be necessary
to complete the design of this entrance. The Denton Hollow Road
relocation was discussed. Sellers said the septic system for the Lenape
Village Shops should be plotted on the plan for the Denton Hollow Road
relocation. Sellers said the owners of the Lenape Village Shops would
like the septic system from the village stores to be connected to the Toll
sewage facility if the septic system is affected by the newly proposed
entrance. Schubert said Toll Brothers can’t get an HOP from PennDOT onto
Route 52 if the necessary right-of-way has not been secured by the
township. Unruh said the township will need a separate Open Space
Management Plan / Conservation Easement added to the HOA documents.
Kessler agreed that Toll Brothers will supply this document. Sellers said
to ensure proper maintenance of stormwater basins and homeowners’ roof
drains and seepage beds, he proposed having AQUA America do the necessary
maintenance. Schubert said the location of the pump station does comply
with the township’s ordinance. The Board discussed whether the applicant
needs to locate the pump house 100’ from the right-of-way or the property
line. Schubert noted that the applicant was planning to provide
additional screening around the pumphouse. The Board agreed to revisit
this issue at a later date. Fire hydrants were discussed and Schubert
said if the township does not have fire hydrant standards, the applicant
will comply with NFPA standards. If a pump is needed to boost the
pressure, AQUA America will pay for it. Schubert noted that there are no
proposed fences on any lots. Kesseler assured the Board that the HOA will
have adequate funding for any maintenance issues that arise. Sellers said
with respect to the intersection improvements, the widening of Pocopson
Road to the west and a left-hand turn lane if it is possible. The signal
timing has to be changed. Unruh said Toll Brothers is contributing
$120,000 to the township open space fund. Native stone and dirt will be
used in refilling the ditch for the water main installation per John
Fenn’s recommendation. Unruh noted that common driveway language should
be in included in deeds of properties with common driveways. Unruh said
specific instructions on stormwater basins must be included in the HOA
documents. Schubert said the manufacturer’s recommendations for any
stormwater outlets will be included in the HOA documents.
CCCD comments are addressed and will be resubmitted
to the Conservation District on June 20th. The Board requested
a baffle on stormwater basin #8 located on Pocopson Road. The applicant
agreed to install the baffle. Schubert said Toll Brothers will comply
with the caliper of the trees as per township ordinance. Schubert said
Toll Brothers will have a representative from Eastern States coordinate
with Gary Burcham, township landscape designer, to address any issues
Burcham raised in his review letter dated June 18, 2005. Kesseler said he
would meet with Burcham when the time came and agreed to make field
adjustments where necessary. It was agreed that the street signs would be
blue and white. Sellers noted that he electric main along Pocopson Road
should be shown on the plan. Schubert said the retaining walls at the
carriage houses will be engineered and approved by John Fenn before any
construction occurs, and the walls will be included in the escrow
funding. Unruh noted that the sewer contruction easement agreement has
not been submitted. Schubert said the Funding Agreement may have enough
language to cover this issue. Schubert said he would look into this
matter further and revisit it at a future date. Unruh said there should
be some wording covering procedures during construction, dedication, etc.
Sellers said there are several trails issues. Sellers said the trail
easement on the edge of the Toll property would be moved to the Pocopson
Elementary School property, and Toll Brothers will construct the trail.
Unruh said an additional conservation easement incorporated in the HOA
documents for tree protection and define non-disturbance areas. Sellers
said he would provide this information to Schubert. Unruh noted that the
phasing of this community is for E&S purposes. Unruh said if Toll
Brothers only posts for phase I, the applicant will have to include money
for a through road because of the number of units located in Phase I.
Schubert said he felt that the Denton Hollow Road relocation could stand
alone from the HOP permits for the proposed Toll Community. Sellers
discussed the budgeted amount of $150,000 that is proposed for
construction of the Denton Hollow Road intersection relocation, and asked
Kesseler if Toll Brothers would consider contributing any unused portion
of this money to the township’s open space acquisition fund. Kesseler
agreed to consider this request. Unruh said he would prepare a list of
conditions from today’s discussions, and hopefully, during the July 25th
Board meeting, the Board will be able to grant final plan approval.
Olmsted Subdivision: Sellers moved, Hubbard
seconded to approve the following two escrow releases - Phase 3B, No. 7
for $48,093.50 in connection with improvements at the Olmsted
subdivision. This release includes an inspection fee of $429.50 payable
to Pocopson Township. Phase 3A, No. 10 in connection with improvements at
the Olmsted subdivision. This release includes an inspection fee of
$4,040.00 payable to Pocopson Township.
Motion carried.
Resolution #08 of 2005: Corinne Village/Baily Farm –
Sellers moved, Hubbard seconded to approve Resolution #08 of 2005 that
acknowledges the sewage facility planning modules for the Baily Farm will
be included in the township’s ACT 537 plan.
Motion carried;
Minutes of June 27, 2005: Sellers moved,
Hubbard seconded to accept the minutes of June 27, 2005 as submitted.
Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Warrants: The warrants were
approved and signed as submitted.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at
11:15 a.m.
______________________
________________________
Karen J. Eckard, Secretary
H. William Sellers, Chairman |
