Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

7:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 15, 2004

Members Present:  Bill Waddington, Steve Conary, Suzie Breiseth, Meg Johnson, and Sean Rafferty.  Absent:  Judy Cousins

Supervisors Present:  None

Call to Order:  Chairman Waddington called the meeting to order at 7:39 p.m.

Announcements:  Waddington announced that Lisa Moore has officially resigned as the PC secretary.

Minutes:  Breiseth moved, Rafferty seconded to approve the minutes of July 21, 2004 as submitted by Steven Conary.  Motion carried.

WCRPC:  Meg Johnson reported that there were several discussions of traffic flow in the West Chester corridor of Route 202 and said the transportation study would be released to the township later this month.  Johnson said that the next meeting of the WCRPC will be held September 30^th.  Bob Woodward reported that the results of the West Chester Region transportation study will be released to the public on October13^th at West Chester Borough Hall.  Woodward stated the position of the township is not to have a by-pass east around West Chester for access to Route 202.  Breiseth said she would attend the next meeting of the WCRPC.  

Jack Robinson – ZHB Recommendation:  Mr. Robinson was present to discuss his plans for a lot on Wawaset Road.  Waddington said the PC did not have enough information to make a recommendation to the ZHB and would need a plan showing the types and locations of the trees on this property to determine where best to locate the house.  Waddington said the PC would be willing to waive the 100 foot setback requirement to preserve trees on the lot.

Baily Farm/Corinne Village:  Jim Brandolini, Robert Bruce-Balbirnie, Steve Campbell - Apex Engineering, were in attendance.  Campbell said he had submitted the preliminary plan for Corinne Village, and it is much like the sketch plan that was presented back in March.  Campbell said they are working on storm water infiltration.  Brandolini said the treatment plant design was still being developed, and the treatment plant would handle about 25,000 gallons per day.  Brandolini said they would be providing connections for 10 homes on Corinne Road with no connection fees.  Breiseth asked about the location of the homes along Corinne Road.  Brandolini said they were placed there to mirror the homes across Corinne Road that would help create a village concept.  The emergency access was discussed.  Breiseth stated that she would like the gate taken down on Larkin-Baily Road, because if nullifies the trail easement on this property.  Gary Summers was present and stated that he opposed the removal of this gate as he lives on Larkin-Baily Road, and there is a constant problem from vandals, teenagers parking, trash, etc…It was noted that the township is aware of the problem and has plans to abandon this road.  Waddington said a landscape plan will be part of the preliminary plan approval.  Campbell reviewed an elevation drawing he had prepared to show the view shed from Locust Grove Road and said there will be additional landscaping installed along with the riparian buffer to shield the view.  Campbell said no run-off from the open space will not go through any properties, and there is a swale around the open space (knoll) with drain-pipes to capture the run-off.  Campbell said that each house has its own infiltration system.  Breiseth asked about the total height of the house from the garden level.  Brandolini said the houses are 35 feet in height, but that is measuring from the 1^st floor, not the garden level (basement).  There was a discussion that followed on the height of houses.  Brandolini said the entrance to Corinne Village would most likely be stone pillars with a brass plaque.  There was a discussion about pools on lots, and the PC agreed that the lots in this community are, for the most part, too small for pools.  Brandolini said they were hoping to have a landscape plan for presentation at the next meeting.  Waddington discussed streets and sidewalks in the community.  It was noted that there would be a 24 foot cart-way for overflow parking on one side of the street with signs to designate what side to park on.  Entrance lighting was discussed and Waddington asked Brandolini to  create a design for the entrance and present it at a future meeting.  Waddington said he would like the applicant to supply a sequence of construction and phasing of construction.  Campbell said it would make sense to do a two-phase construction sequence since there were two separate watersheds involved.  Breiseth asked about the trail easements in this community, and Campbell reviewed trail placement for her.  Campbell responded to a question from Conary  and said Corinne Road will be moved 10 feet to the south, and the new cart way will be 24 feet wide.  The Murphy family was in attendance and asked several questions about the houses.  Summers asked if the individual retaining walls were still on the plan.  Brandolini said they had been taken out.  Campbell said the riparian buffer had been graded into by 25 feet, and it would be planted in grass.  Waddington said he would recommend small trees be planted in this space.

Nuisance Ordinance:  The nuisance Ordinance would be reviewed at the next meeting.

Planning Commission Procedures:  The Planning Commission talked about the need to discuss procedures changes with the Supervisors.  PC members agreed to attend the next Supervisors’ meeting.

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m.


______________________                                        __________________________
Karen J. Eckard, Secretary                                           William Waddington, Chairman                                            


 

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