EAST BRANDYWINE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

REGULAR SESSION

Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - 7:30 PM

Those in Attendance:

Mr. Bruce Rawlings , Chairman

Mr. Stephen Cushman, Vice-Chairman

Mr. Charles Giordano , Member

Mrs. Deborah Marshman , Member

Mrs. Sandra E. Moser, Member

Mr. Mervin Thomas, Member

Mrs. Beth Valocchi, Ex-Officio Member

Mr. Scott T. Piersol , Township Manager

Mr. Michael Mayhew, Township Engineer

Mrs. Mary Beth Smedley, Township Secretary/Treasurer

Absent:

Mr. Michael Corbin , Member

Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – April 7, 2004

Mr. Rawlings asked if there were additions or corrections to the above minutes.  There were none.  Mrs. Moser then made a motion to approve the above Minutes as submitted.  Mr. Thomas seconded the motion, with all voting Aye. 

HeatherWynd Subdivision AKA McCausland Tract

Mrs. Smedley reported that the applicant will revise the plan according to Mr. Mayhew’s April 30, 2004 review letter and resubmit the preliminary plan for the Township’s review.  This application will be discussed at the June or July Planning Commission Meeting. 

Township Municipal Complex Zoning Hearing Application – June 3, 2004

The applicant is East Brandywine Township .  The property is located on the south side of Horseshoe Pike between North Guthriesville Road and Bondsville Road and is within the VC Commercial Zoning District.  Access to the site is from two driveway entrances on Horseshoe Pike. 

The existing property consists of three separate parcels.  Parcel # 30-5-8 has an area of 6.721 acres gross and 6.584 acres net.  Parcel 30-5-10 has an area of 2.291 acres gross and 1.969 acres net.  Parcel 30-5-11 has an area of 1.947 acres gross and 1.675 net acres. The site currently contains two driveway entrances, paved and gravel parking areas, a complex of municipal office and equipment storage buildings, lawn areas, freestanding trees and tree rows, and various mulch and debris piles.  An additional stone drive provides access off of Horseshoe Pike to a 2-½ story stucco dwelling on the western portion of the parcels.

The plan proposes to combine an adjacent 1.2+ acre property with the current Township property, creating a total tract area of approximately 11.4 acres.  This property has access from Horseshoe Pike via a paved driveway leading to a 1 story framed building with porch and rear deck, 1 story frame garage with concrete pad and a shed.  The combined properties will then be subdivided into two new lots.  Lot 1 will be 1.0 acres net and will contain the existing dwelling and features to the west. The remaining property will be 10.487 acres and will contain the existing Township buildings and the former Hash property. 

The existing improvements to the former Hash property and all the buildings on the main parcel except the Township Office building and the 1-story attached garage and McCausland Hall will be demolished after construction of a new two-floor municipal building.  A separate six bay garage and salt shed will be constructed in Phase II of the project.  All proposed buildings would have access from a new 2-way entrance on Horseshoe Pike opposite North Guthriesville Road , creating a new intersection.  The driveway will lead to a proposed paved 135-space parking lot.  Stormwater management will consist of a stormwater forebay/detention basin and small sub-basin to control runoff.  The new facilities are to be served by public water and sewer.  A sanitary sewer main extension is to be installed from an existing stub on Horseshoe Pike.  The Board of Supervisors granted final approval for this land development application at their April 21, 2004 meeting. 

            The applicant has applied for a special exception from Article XII, Section

399-73 of the East Brandywine Zoning Ordinance.  The Zoning Ordinance allows a maximum building height of 35 feet.  Due to the established roof pitch, building scale relationships of the facades and the changing grade conditions around the perimeter of the building, the proposed design has a total ridge height calculation of 42 feet, 7 inches.  The Planning Commission had no objection to the requested special exception, but did ask Mr. Piersol to determine what the mean height is for the proposed building.

Sunoco Convenience Store

Mr. Piersol reported that Scott Cullinan from Sunoco, Inc. contacted him to discuss a slight change in their building.  Sunoco has decided to down-size their plans for stores, including the store to be constructed at Hopewell Road and Horseshoe Pike.

The original land development plan provided for a 3,200 square foot store for the Guthriesville location.  They are now proposing a 2,400 square foot store for the Guthriesville location. 

Sunoco’s land development plan was given final plan approval by the Supervisors at their April 21, 2004 public meeting.  The plans have not yet been recorded at the County Recorder of Deeds.

Mr. Piersol spoke to Mr. Conrad at Yerkes Associates about the issues that should be addressed with this downsized facility.  Sunoco will provide revised drainage plans and calculations for the engineer’s review.  They will also provide color renderings of the new facility to show how this building will still comply with the Township’s approval.  At the Planning Commission’s request, Mr. Piersol will ask Mr. Cullinan if there are plans to eliminate the proposed eating area. 

Park and Recreation Board

Mr. Piersol stated that the Park and Recreation Board is asking for the Planning Commission’s support to submit grant applications for Phase III of Community Park.  Phase III will have a sports field and a trail linking the Hopewell Subdivision.    A grant application will be submitted to the County in the amount of $248,977.49, with a total projected cost of $452,690.  The land acquisition project for the Brown property adjoining the Park will be submitted both to the County and State.  Bill Gladden from the Park and Recreation Board has prepared the draft County applications and narratives for both projects.  Mr. Piersol and Mr. Gladden will be working to finalize these applications for submission to Chester County Landscapes 21st Century Fund Grant Program prior to the June 25, 2004 deadline.  Mr. Rawlings made a motion to support the above grant applications.  Mr. Giordano seconded the motion, with all voting Aye.  The Planning Commission suggested that Mr. Piersol contact the School District about possible joint ventures in the park, since it is likely that the Brandywine-Wallace Elementary School students will regularly be using the sports fields and other park amenities.  

Ordinance Task Force

The next Ordinance Task Force Meeting will be held Monday, May 10, 2004 at 7:30 P.M.

McCahon Subdivision

Mr. Thomas asked Mr. Piersol to update the Planning Commission about grading problems with the common driveways at this site.  According to Mr. Giannantonio, the required leveling area of 3% for the first 40 feet of the access drive to Route 322 must be maintained and the driveway must be reconstructed to achieve that slope.  The short amount of driveway slope above 15% does not meet the Ordinance and should be corrected, or be covered by an appropriate waiver from the Board of Supervisors.  It is also recommended that an appropriate guide rail be installed along the basin side of the drive from station 0+70 to 2+60 to provide protection to vehicles descending the driveway from sliding off the drive into the swale or basin.  In addition, the first 40 feet of the access drive at Heritage Court must be reconstructed to comply with the slopes on the approved plan.  Mr. Piersol stated that the Township will not issue use and occupancy permits for the new homes in the development until the above items are corrected. 

Brandywine Heights

The applicant is currently working on revisions to their Conditional Use application with Caln Township for this property.  Once those issues are resolved we expect them to submit a revised plan.

AWI

Mrs. Smedley expects the applicant to submit a revised plan for discussion at the June 3, 2004 Planning Commission Meeting.

Lyndell Pointe

Mr. Piersol stated that a meeting has been scheduled to tour a portion of the former Blosenski Tract on Thursday, May 6th. ccording to Mr. Tim Townes from J. Loew and Associates, there was dumping of some petroleum based products on a portion of the property.  Mr. Piersol and Mr. Thomas will attend the meeting on behalf of the Township.  Mr. Dan Arters, a longtime Township resident will also attend the meeting, since he originally alerted the Township to the dumping situation. 

Raleigh Drive Interconnection with Swinehart Development in West Brandywine Township

Mr. Piersol stated that West Brandywine Township Manager, Ronald Rambo, Jr. called him to discuss this issue.  They discussed a recommendation to the Supervisors to create a restricted, single-lane access to connect the new development with the Raleigh Drive cul-de-sac.  Access would be restricted by a gate, to permit access only by emergency vehicles through a siren-activated gate, or municipal vehicles doing maintenance through some other means of gate activation.  Mr. Piersol provided Mr. Rambo with information on this type of gate control. Mr. Piersol will attend the May 6th West Brandywine Township Board of Supervisors meeting to discuss this issue. 

The Planning Commission is very concerned about the potential traffic problems that would develop if the new street were opened to public traffic.  They suggested having a joint meeting with the West Brandywine Township Board of Supervisors to discuss our concerns regarding safety and traffic, should the West Brandywine Supervisors decide to vote in favor of a full access street connection.    

Adjournment

There being no further business, Mrs. Marshman made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Mr. Giordano seconded the motion, with all voting Aye.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Beth Smedley

Secretary/Treasurer

East Brandywine Township