Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

7:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 16, 2005
 

Call to Order:  Chairman Waddington called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m.

Meeting Attendees:  William Waddington, Steve Conary, Sarah Mims, Meg Johnson, Susie Breiseth, Sean Rafferty  Absent:  Judy Cousins

Announcements:  Waddington announced that Judy Cousins would be submitting her resignation from the Planning Commission due to increasing family obligations.  Waddington noted that Mrs. Cousins has been an active member of the Planning Commission for over twenty years, and her contributions to the commission have been invaluable.

Baily Farm/Minor Subdivision:

Frone Crawford, Esq; Jim Brandolini; Scott Simmington; Robert Bruce Balbernie; Frank Smith, Apex Engineering;  Crawford said the minor subdivision consists of two tracts; one dividing the Baily Farm that will remain under conservation easement and the development tract, Corinne Village.  Crawford said he had reviewed John Fenn’s letter dated November 1, 2005 and was confused by Fenn’s comment #11 referring to SDLD ordinance regarding a conservation plan on the Baily Farm.  Conary said the conservation plan will be included as part of the Corinne Village major subdivision plan.  Waddington reviewed the trail on the plan and stated that it appeared to be complete.  Brandolini said the trails were placed on the plan based on the Board of Supervisor’s recommendations.  Conary asked who is going to administer the Parcel ‘A’ agricultural easement, and pointed out that it is important the agricultural easement be managed by a 3^rd party. 

Motion:  Conary moved, Breiseth seconded to recommend that the Board of Supervisors grant final plan approval of the Baily Farm minor subdivision plan drawn by Apex Engineering, dated 6/28/05, subject to the following three conditions:

      1)      The conservation plan for Parcel B will be covered under the major subdivision.
2) Parcel A subject to agricultural conservation easement to be approved by the township solicitor and recorded simultaneously with the plans.   The easements for the trails north of the tenant houses on Locust Grove Road will be preserved as part of the simple subdivision, but will be implemented under the major subdivision plan.
3) Address comments on John Fenn’s letter dated November 1, 2005 with the exception of items 10 and 11.

Motion carried with all in agreement.
 

Baily Farm/Corinne Village:  Crawford pointed out that the applicant had resubmitted the Corinne Village plans on October 6, 2005, and they were still waiting for John Fenn’s review letter.  Crawford said the applicants would like to get preliminary plan approval at the December PC meeting, and asked the PC members if they were aware of any outstanding planning issues.  None were stated.  Waddington reviewed the outcome of a previous site meeting with the PC members.  Waddington said at this meeting it was decided to narrow the previously requested 24’ width of Corinne Road and have six parking pocket stalls along the south side of Corinne Road.  There will also be stripping for a bike path.  Breiseth said the bike path has a downward slope and should be paved with a non-skidding surface, i.e. tar and chipping.  Corinne Road will be an S curve starting at the log house.  These measures should aid in traffic calming.  There was a discussion on the backyards of the lots that border Locust Grove Road.  Brandolini said John Fenn had asked Apex Engineering to show reverse benching on these backyards.  Waddington said the PC would like to see 15’ to 20’ (20’ wherever possible) backyards with good storm water management practices being utilized and a combination of retaining walls, swales, and benching where appropriate up to the discretion of the engineer.  Crawford said the applicants will be on the December PC agenda.

Mark and Sandy Royer – ZHB Application:  Sandy Royer was present to review the plan to expand her ranch style home located at 1617 Lenape Road.  The PC members discussed at length several ideas to expand the ranch style house each of which could preclude needing a zoning variance.  Rafferty suggested adding a second story.

Motion:    Rafferty moved, Conary seconded to recommend the ZHB turn down the request for a variance and explore other ideas to expand the ranch house that do not require a variance from the setback ordinance.  The applicant does not meet the test for a hardship.  Motion carried with all in agreement.

Bruce Yelton – Minor Subdivision: 
Motion:    Conary moved, Mims seconded to recommend the ZHB not grant the requested variances to the Bruce Yelton minor subdivision plan.  The plan does not meet the township’s zoning and subdivision ordinances. 
Motion carried with all in agreement.
 

WCRPC:  Johnson reported that she had attended the meeting and they had a speaker present the comprehensive campus facility plan update of West Chester University.

KARPC:  No report.

Brandywine Conservancy / Open Space Referendum:  Conary said there has been a task force formed to prepare an Open Space Referendum for the spring primary ballot.  Conary and Breiseth are on the committee representing the PC.  Conary reported that the Brandywine Conservancy will be assisting the township with this process.

Minutes of October 19, 2005:  The PC tabled the minutes of the October meeting until the next meeting.

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

_______________________                                                  _______________________

Karen J. Eckard, Secretary                                                       William Waddington, Chair.