7:30 p.m., Wednesday,
January 21, 2009
Members Present: Summers, McNemar, Miller, Breiseth
Members Absent: Johnson, Rafferty, Costello
1. Call to Order: Summers called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
2. Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman: Following discussion, tabled to next meeting.
3. Introduction of Township Engineer James W. Hatfield, P.E., VanDemark & Lynch: To facilitate the transition in engineering personnel, Hatfield and Neil Carlson were introduced and stated their intention to attend meetings and provide critical dialog when complex plans or developments are subject to review. Summers and McNemar noted that to date their engineering efforts in the Township have been well received.
4. Chester County Equipment Storage Building: James Fritsch, Regester Associates, Inc., and John Dargay, Chester County Facilities Manager (Applicant), appeared to discuss Township Engineer Review Letter dated January 9, 2009, regarding proposed construction of a 60' x 120' equipment storage building to be constructed on the east side of the County Prison property zoned RA. Fritsch submitted a waiver letter dated 1/21/2009 requesting waiver of 190-12; 190-22.B.(7), -(8), -(9); 190-22.C.(4); 190-23; 190-24; 19-25.B; 190-35; and Section 178-3.B of the Stormwater Management Ordinance.
Township Engineer
Review Letter 1/9/2009 and Discussion:
|
Item # |
Discussion |
|
250-20.A(5) |
McNemar noted confusion regarding the standards for this Section as Applicant’s intentions are for nonconventional use and bulk area regulations can be applied to the use. Hatfield remarked that the use permitted by right standards of Sections 250-15 and 250-18 apply and that his review of 250-20.A(5) is in error. Clarification to be provided in an update letter. Applicant appears in compliance with area use and bulk requirements. |
|
250-87.(M)(1)(a) |
Fritsch spoke with Bill Hardwood, Acting Zoning Officer, who approved the conservation standards. McNemar asked and the Applicant confirmed that due to spray field limitations no additional buildings will be built on the site. |
|
190-12 |
No objection to waiver request requiring submission of Preliminary Plan. |
|
190-22.B(7) |
No objection to waiver but because area of disturbance comprises only 0.6% of the total tract, Applicant should revise plans to include Township Engineer Note regarding boundary and cartway information. |
|
190-22.B(8) |
No objection to waiver requiring cartway width and lines of all existing public streets (see comment above re: Plan Note). |
|
190-22.B(9) |
No objection to waiver requiring data for cartway edges and right-of-way lines (see comment above re: Plan Note). |
|
190-22.C(4) |
No objection to waiver requiring Final Conservation Plan provided Applicant revises the Plans to show the location of steep slopes, documentation that there are no existing wells in the vicinity of the project, and depicts areas to receive erosion control blanket. Hatfield will document confirmation that according to Pocopson Township Historical Committee no historical buildings exist on the site. |
|
190-23 |
No objection to waiver requiring an Existing Resources and Site Analysis Plan. |
|
190-24 |
No objection to waiver requiring Conservation Plan provided Applicant include Plan revisions for 190-22.C(4) above. |
|
190-25.B |
No objection to waiver requiring a sketch plan for remainder of the tract. |
|
190-25.H |
Requiring dedication to the ultimate right-of-way line for existing streets; Township Engineer suggested that Township confirm status of offer of dedication for the Juvenile Detention Center Plans (JDC) which may have included previously offered right-of-way. |
|
190-35 |
Township Engineer does not object to the waiver; however, after reviewing photographs Breiseth noted that low impact, foundation plantings minimally at the corners of the building will improve visual impact for the garage/equipment building. Planning Commission agreed that Applicant cannot effectively screen the building but foundation plantings will improve aesthetics. |
|
190-40 |
Township Engineer state that waiver request requiring monuments to be set at all perimeter corners should not be necessary as previously approved in the County JDC Plans. Applicant should provide a letter from a PLS certifying that the monuments that were to be set as part of that plan are in place. |
|
190-38 |
Applicant agrees to revise Note 11 on Sheet 1 to indicate that electric service must be installed underground. |
|
178-2.D(4) |
Fritsch previously reviewed the stormwater management plan with Township Engineer and has agreed to submit calculations regarding the flow from the spillway. Discussion remains open on the width swale. Township Engineer notes that channels of conveyance once concentrated are hard to unconcentrate. Fritsch noted County is in agreement to sign the Operation and Maintenance Agreement. |
|
178-4.A(3)(a)[5](a) |
Applicant clarified for the Planning Commission that a double-walled, above grade tank is in the area for refueling and there are no underground tanks. Oil changes occur in the inlet screen building. Structural pollution prevention practices are acceptable as presented by the Applicant. |
|
178-4.C(3)(b)[2] |
Applicant anticipates completion of soil testing for underground infiltration facilities on or before January 23, 2009. |
|
178-4.C(3)(k) |
Plan Note 15, Sheet 1 includes providing right of access to the Township for maintenance and/or repair of stormwater management facilities. Township Engineer suggest clarification from Solicitor that this note meets the requirements of this Section of the Code. |
|
178-4.D(2)(a)[5]
and 178-5(a)(1) and 190-22.C(2) |
In order to clarify that due diligence is met regarding SWM Operations and Maintenance Agreement (O & M), the Township Engineer requested a copy of the County MS-4 Plan. Applicant should add an overall note to the O & M for the entire County site including the MS-4 permit number. |
|
General comments |
Township Engineer suggests Applicant consider wrapping the perforated pipe within the stone infiltration trench in a high flow geo-textile fabric to reduce the possibility of contamination in the stone bed. Township Engineer requests Applicant revise Plan label for the constructed 10' wide gravel road from proposed to actual existing. |
Motion: Breiseth moved that the Planning Commission recommend to the Pocopson Township Board of Supervisors approval of the Chester County Storage Facility Land Development Plan pursuant to the January 9, 2009 Township Engineer Review Letter with the exception of review of Section 250-20.A(5) as moot and including the Applicant’s installation of foundation plantings to minimize visual impact; second by Summers; unanimously approved.
5. eCode/General Code: Township Secretary reported recent upgrade to the online version of the Township Code provided by General Code. The upgrade is a work in progress and includes improved natural language searches that emulate Google™ searches.
6. Ordinances: Breiseth will review the County Planning Commission comments regarding the proposed amendments to Keeping of Animals and Signs. Summers noted that the Board of Supervisors requests the Planning Commission to review the fee-in-lieu-of sections of the Ordinances for the purpose of removal of references within the Zoning Chapter. McNemar noted that the Secretary should organize and maintain the “to do” list in order for the group to formulate an action plan for revisions with fee in lieu of at the top of the list.
7. Other Business/Announcements: none.
8. Minutes of November 19, 2008:
Motion: Summers moved to approve the Minutes of November 19, 2008 as submitted; Miller seconded; motion carried.
9. Adjournment: Summers moved to adjourn at 8:49 p.m.; Breiseth seconded. The next regularly scheduled Planning Commission Meeting is Wednesday, February 18, 2009.
___________________________ ___________________________________
Susan Simone, Secretary Gary Summers, Planning Commission, Chair