Pocopson Township
Chester County, Pennsylvania
 

7:30 p.m., Monday, November 28, 2005

Sellers called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. and opened with the pledge of allegiance.  Supervisors Brutscher and Hubbard were in attendance.

Announcements:  Hubbard announced that he would be attending a Tax Hearing on December 7, 2005 at 8:15 a.m. in the County Assessment Office on a newly created tax parcel that was deeded to the township as part of the Pennwycke subdivision approval.

Open Space Committee:   Hubbard said the committee is collecting data for the open space referendum that is planned for the spring election.  The task force has requested to be placed on the Board’s meeting agenda for December to make a presentation of the open space priorities map and options for funding open space.

KARPC:  Brutscher said there is no KARPC meeting scheduled for December.

Toll Brothers/ Sheeder Property:  Property owners present:  Nora Margetich,; Jim Fritsch, Regester Associates, Inc.; Christine Hoover; Judy Stewart;  Christopher Clifford, Mr. & Mrs. Ross;
Sellers addressed the residents present at the meeting and asked them to share their specific concerns on the proposed Route 52, Lenape Road, entrance to the Sheeder/Toll Brother’s community.  Several residents expressed their concerns about the traffic flow onto Route 52 at the Clarks Lane intersection and questioned whether an entrance at this location on Route 52 is feasible.  One resident asked about having both entrances off of  Pocopson Road into the proposed community.  Sellers commented that design would not work because of the location of the sewage facilities on this property.  A resident noted that there is limited site distance from Clarks Lane onto Route 52, and a blind curve at this location along Route 52 also increases hazards.  Sellers asked the residents to attend the special meeting with Toll Brother’s representatives tomorrow morning at 9:30 to discuss the proposed entrance design and express their concerns.  Jim Fritsch, Regester Associates, representing Nora Margetich, was present and asked the Board when they expected to have the new entrance design available for review.  Sellers said hopefully by tomorrow morning’s meeting.

Overlook Circle / Escrow Release No. 6:  Dave Norcini, developer, was present to discuss the proposed trails at the Overlook Circle development.  Norcini discussed the costs associated with paving the trails with asphalt located in the flood plain and the cost of construction of the bridge being proposed by the township’s engineer for the stream crossing.  Sellers said that the trail located in the flood plain will need to be constructed of asphalt at a width of 4’.  Hubbard suggested a low stream crossing that would consist of a pipe with an asphalt path on top of the pipe.  Sellers also suggested to Norcini to investigate the possibility of  using an “arch” to cross the stream.   Hubbard said he would contact DEP an acceptable less expensive stream crossing alternative that would be acceptable to the township and DEP.  Norcini thanked the Board for their time.

Motion:  Brutscher moved, Hubbard seconded to approve escrow release No. 06 in connection with improvements at the Overlook Circle subdivision in the amount of $20,641.00 with inspection fees of $2,769.00 payable to Pocopson Township.

Motion carried with all in agreement 

Baily Farm / Minor Subdivision:  The Baily Farm minor subdivision discussion was tabled until the December 12th Board meeting.

Bill Waddington/Minor Subdivision: Bill Waddington was present to discuss the latest revision to his minor subdivision plan dated 11/15/05, and John Fenn’s review letter dated November 28, 2005.  The Board discussed the proposed driveway change from a shared driveway to separate driveways serving two lots.  The Board unanimously agreed that both lots should be served by a shared driveway due to sight distance issues on Corinne Road.  Waddington said there is a septic system and a reserve septic system site on the existing lot, and the newly created lot has a site for one location and the soil is very suitable for a back up location according to Bruce Focht, Chester County Health Department.  Brutscher said she would like to see the back up sewage disposal site shown on the plan for lot #2.  Waddington pointed out that there is a conservation easement being placed on lot #2.  Sellers said the easement could be given to the township and the township should have a sample of one on file.  Waddington said he would like to come before the Board in December with the single driveway plan for final approval. 

Public Comment:  Mr. & Mrs. Miller, 1675 Lenni Drive, were present to discuss the prison expansion.  Mrs. Miller said that light pollution is a continuing issue.  Mr. Miller requested the Board to increase the proposed tree screen along the trail that the County has built to block the light pollution and requested the township to forego the existing trail easement that is currently shown on the plan.  The Board agreed with Mr. Miller’s request.  Sellers said there is a required shut off angle on the lights and the Millers should contact Mr. Thompson, County Prison Project Coordinator, and remind him to check the lighting.  Sellers said the township’s trail easement should be moved on the plan to the existing road.    

Tony Musacchio, was present to discuss a resident burning leaves in his neighborhood on Route 52. Harwood said a letter will be sent to the resident who is burning the leaves advising them of the township’s burning ordinance.

Toll Brothers / Sheeder Property:  Brutscher reported she had met with Tom Kessler, Project Manager, to discuss the proposed entrance signs for the Toll Brother’s community.  Brutscher said the entrance signs are considered a structure by township ordinance because of their large size.  Brutscher said she wanted to eliminate the fence on each side of the stone structure.  The Board discussed the community name and unanimously agreed that they are opposed to the mention of Chadds Ford in the name of the community and discussed the possibility that emergency vehicles could be confused about the location of the community with Chadds Ford in the name.  The community is located at least five miles away from Chadds Ford Township. The Board discussed and agreed that the stone structure for the entrance sign should be lowered to 6’, the two side pillars removed from the design, and the proposed fence length reduced from 10’ to 8’, using aluminum fence instead of vinyl.  The Board agreed that the landscaping design for the entrance to the Toll Brothers community be sent to Gary Burcham, Landscape Architect, for his review and comment. 

Hubbard moved, Brutscher seconded to close the meeting at 9:55 p.m.  Motion carried.

Ordinance Adoption Hearing: 
Sellers said the ordinance adopting the codification has been advertised in the “Daily Local News” on November 16, 2005. 

Motion:  Sellers moved, Brutscher seconded to adopt and enact Ordinance #01 of 2005 codifiying the complete body of legislation for the Township of Pocopson.  Motion carried with all in agreement.

Hubbard moved, Brutscher seconded to reopen the regular meeting at 10:05 p.m.  Motion carried.

Meeting Minutes:
Sellers moved, Brutscher seconded to approve the minutes of November14^th  as amended.  Motion carried with all agreed.

Hubbard moved, Brutscher seconded to approve the minutes of October 24^th as amended.  Motion carried with all agreed.

Treasurer’s Warrants:  The warrants were approved and signed as submitted.

Roads:  Harwood reported that he had hired Richard Baker to replace Wesley McCoy, township road crew worker who resigned at the end of October.  Harwood said Mr. Baker has previously worked for East Fallowfield Township.

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m. 

________________________                                                ________________________
Karen J. Eckard, Secretary                                                       H. William Sellers, Chairmain