Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Call to Order:  Bill Waddington called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.

Meeting Attendees:  Bill Waddington, Suzie Breiseth, Meg Johnson, Sean Rafferty, Gary Summers, Sarah Mims entered the meeting at 8:15 p.m.

Absent:  Steve Conary

James & Marilyn Serum / Minor Subdivision: 

Present:  Jim Fritsch, Regesters Associates; Marilyn Serum, Resident;  Fritsch was present to review a sketch plan dated 3/15/06 for a tract of land on the east side of Denton Hollow Road.  There are 2 tax parcels that total of 20.951 acres, and Fritsch said this minor subdivision would require a lot line change. 

Currently on site is an existing house, shed, barn, and swimming pool.

The property has a conservation easement and will continue to remain in the conservation easement with the Brandywine Conservancy.  Mrs. Serum said the new house would be constructed on the non-conservancy land, and the existing dwelling will remain.  Mrs. Serum said they were hoping to construct the new house on the foundation of the old barn.  Fritsch presented a letter dated October 24, 2005 which states the Brandywine Conservancy has given formal approval for the Serums to proceed with laying out, designing, and reserving land on the 2.75 acre portion of the 1980 Manning Conservation Easement for an alternate septic drain field to serve the existing house.  Fritsch suggested a work session to go over the plan and see how to make this proposal best fit the township ordinances.  The Planning Commission members agreed to meet at the township office on Saturday, April 1^st at 1:30 p.m. to review the plan and walk the property with the Serums.  Mims said she would invite several members from the Historic Committee to attend.

Burnett Property / Minor Subdivision:  Tom Comitta, Mr. & Mrs. Burnett along with two of their children were present to discuss their proposal for a subdivision of their 15.24 acre property located on Hickory Hill Road.  Comitta said the Burnetts’ would like to convey lots to each of their three children.  Comitta said that in order to have sufficient area for driveway, septic systems, and wells, the proposed lot areas are at least 1 acre each with an open space area of approximately 9 acres.  Lot 1 would be retained by Mr. & Mrs. Burnett; Lots 2, 3, and 4 would be conveyed to their children and serviced by a shared driveway.  Comitta asked the PC if a zoning hearing variance would be required since the lot size after net out does not meet the township ordinances.  The PC members discussed retaining the nine acres of open space with Lot 1 and keeping the meadow area in a more natural state than the manicured area around the house and barn.  Waddington questioned whether township ordinances permitted three houses to be served by a shared driveway.  Comitta said he would research the ordinances to clarify this issue.  Comitta said he would present this proposal to the Board of Supervisors for their review and comment. 

Natural Resource Ordinance:  The PC members discussed the final draft of the Resource Protection Amendments.  Waddington said he would like the members to review the ordinance and make comments.  Mims said she saw several typographical errors in the document that she noted and would have the secretary send to the conservancy for correction. 

West Chester Regional Planning Commission:  Meg Johnson said she had not attended since the PC members agreed not to attend future meetings.

Kennett Area Regional Planning Commission:  No report.

Minutes of February 15, 2006:  Rafferty moved, Breiseith seconded to accept the minutes of February 15, 2006 as amended.  Motion carried with all in agreement.

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

______________________                                        __________________________

Karen J. Eckard, Secretary                                           William Waddington, Chairman