Pocopson Township Planning Commission Meeting
7:30 p.m., Wednesday,
September 16, 2009
Members Present: Summers, Miller,
Rafferty, Sperber
Members Absent: Johnson, Costello, Breiseth
1. Call to Order: Summers called the meeting to order at 7:30
p.m.
2. New Appointee to the Commission: Summers recognized and welcomed Chris Sperber
who was recently appointed by the Board of Supervisors to complete the term
vacated by Lauressa J. McNemar, P.E.
3. Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway Corridor Management: Secretary reported that she was contacted by
Commissioner George Zacharkiw, Brandywine Valley Scenic Byways, regarding
rescheduling the presentation by Suzanna Barucco, Associate Director of
Historic Preservation.
4. Public Comment: Zuohong Yin and Xiugin
Qin of Queen’s Farm, 2069 West
Street Road, West Chester,
appeared before the Planning Commission regarding their desire to install a
farm stand and construct an adjoining parking lot for the purpose of selling
produce. The stand would be located adjacent to their existing driveway and
West Street Road (Route 926). The Planning Commission noted very poor sight
distances for the location of the farm stand/parking lot whih represents a
traffic hazard. In addition, noting that Route 926 is a state road, the
landowner would have to seek PennDOT approval for the parking lot. Rafferty
noted that traffic travels at high speeds on Route 926 and with little sight
distance to pull in or out of the parking lot PennDOT may have issues in
approving a highway permit. Summers
noted that the landowner should contract with a professional engineer to create
a plan for submission to PennDOT and for review for compliance with Township Ordinances.
The Planning Commission suggested that Queen’s Farm seek approval to set up a
produce stand at a retail facility in the Township such as Ace Hardware parking
lot. Secretary is directed to contact Brandywine Land Management on behalf of
Queen’s Farm to provide contact information for the purpose of making the
request.
5. Draft Ordinances: Planning Commission
reviewed drafts as follows –
- Fence
– tabled to October meeting as Breiseth was not in attendance
- Weed/Nuisance
Ordinance – Secretary reported that the State Botany Weed Officer,
Melissa Bravo, is available November through February to meet with the
Planning Commission for the purpose of drafting an ordinance to address
issues concerning noxious weeds and invasive plants. Bravo will provide
model weed ordinances on the topic of both aesthetics, i.e., height of
lawn grass, weeds in residential areas, and land transition and farming
application as I relates to Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
standards and practices. Planning Commission agreed to extend an
invitation to Bravo.
- Signs
and Keeping of Animals – on August 5, 2009, Chester County Planning
Commission submitted their review comments of proposed amendments to
Township Ordinances. Planning Commission noted that the County review
comments require additional editing for both drafts. No action taken
during the meeting regarding the County review comments.
6. Other Business: Planning Commission
asked the Secretary to provide a list for distribution of current Commission
members with pertinent contact information.
7. Approval of Meeting Minutes of July 15,
2009: Planning Commission tabled
approval of the Minutes of July 15, 2009.
8. Adjournment: Summers moved, Rafferty seconded to adjourn
at 8:45 p.m. The next regularly
scheduled Planning Commission Meeting is October 21, 2009.
___________________________ ___________________________________
Susan Simone, Secretary Gary
Summers, Planning Commission, Chair