East Brandywine Township

Traffic Impact Advisory Committee

Tuesday, March 18, 2003 – 7:30 P.M.

 

The Traffic Impact Advisory Committee met on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 in McCausland Hall, 1214 Horseshoe Pike, East Brandywine Township .

 

Those in attendance:  Hudson L. Voltz, Chairman, Board of Supervisors, Scott T. Piersol, Township Manager, Andreas Heinrich, Heinrich & Klein, Michael Conrad, Yerkes Associates, Inc., Brian Formica, Chairman, Richard Bates, Vice-Chairman, Everett Lang, John Neff, Chris Saello , and Harold Thompson.

 

Absent:           John Black, John Bryer, Christopher Luning, Dan Raspanti, and Mervin Thomas.

 

Opening of meeting: 

 

Chairman Brian Formica opened the meeting at 7:35 P.M. with a Salute to the Flag.

 

Old Business:             Minutes, February 11, 2003

 

Mr. Formica asked if there were any additions or corrections to the above minutes.  Mr. Voltz stated one correction needed to be made to the minutes, “the meeting adjourned at 9:05 P.M. , not 7:35 A.M. ”.  With that change Mr. Voltz then made a motion to approve the February 11, 2003 minutes.  Mr. Thompson seconded the motion, with all voting Aye.

 

New Business:

 

Mr. Heinrich presented the traffic committee members with several sketch plans on the relocation feasibility study for the proposed Guthriesville bypass.  After much discussion, the Traffic Committee preferred the bypass option rather than widening SR 322.  Prior to making a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors, the Committee will investigate costs for both options. The committee will also determine if the PennDot 12 year plan includes any work in East Brandywine Township .  This way the Committee can determine if PennDot has planned improvements for the road system through Guthriesville.  Mr. Heinrich stated roadway systems generally do not become a priority with PennDot until there are serious congestion problems.

 

The committee discussed the possibility of an elevated roadway system crossing Bondsville Road .  Mr. Heinrich stated some of the problems with this type of system might be:

·        Noise pollution;  Wall barriers could be used, but they only work well if there are no breaks in wall, and are installed on both sides of highway.

·        Some properties would lose access to the proposed bypass; such as the East Brandywine Fire Company, and other driveways along Bondsville Road .

·        Roadway would be more visible.

·        The need to install a new road surface drainage system.

 

The Traffic Committee has encouraged both Honey Brook Township and West Brandywine Township to join a regional planning effort to help mitigate traffic congestion.  Mr. Michael Brown, Township Manager from Honey Brook Township stated that unfortunately they could not commit to this project right now. Mr. Josef Obernier, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors from West Brandywine Township felt widening SR 322 would be beneficial to both Townships.  Mr. Voltz will contact Mr. Obernier for further discussions on this issue.

 

Mr. Heinrich suggested the Committee keep John Halsted, Township Solicitor up-to-date on their activities.  He will be forwarded copies of all minutes, and may be invited to a future meeting. 

 

Steps for Public Notice/Input:

Once the Land Use Assumption Report is completed the Township will forward a copy of the report to the following agencies:

 

1.)    The Chester County Planning Commission.

2.)    All contiguous municipalities.

3.)    Local school district for non-binding review and comment at least 30 days prior to the Public Hearing

 

The Traffic Advisory Committee is required to include the findings from the public hearing in its final report to the governing body.  The Board of Supervisors must then, by resolution, approve, disapprove or modify the land use assumptions recommended by the Advisory Committee. 

 

Other business:

Mr. Christopher Luning, K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. contacted Mr. Piersol to advised he was leaving the firm to work for Philadelphia Suburban Water Company.  Mr. Luning is willing to remain on the Committee if the regulations permit.  Mr. Piersol will check with Township Solicitor John Halsted.  Mr. Luning stated his colleague, Elizabeth Hurtubise is willing to join the Committee in his place.

 

The next Traffic Impact Committee meeting will be held on April 8, 2003 at 7:30 P.M.   The topics for discussion will include:

 

·        Andreas Heinrich, Heinrich & Klein: Working on the Roadway Sufficiency Analysis Report. (The figures from the land use assumption report are needed for the Roadway Sufficiency Analysis.)

 

·        Michael Conrad and Charles Jackson, Yerkes Associates, Inc.:

1.)    Right of Way Land Acquisition

2.)    Engineering designs and permitting

3.)    Construction cost estimate for the bypass versus SR 322 land acquisition

 

·        Land Use Assumption Report quotes: 

1.)     John Snook, Brandywine Conservancy

2.)     Van Riekes – Mr. Piersol will request a proposal

 

·        Check with the State Department of Community Affairs and Economic Development on the availability of grant money for the preparation of a land use assumptions report.

 

FURTHER COMMENTS:

 

Mr. Formica asked if there were any further questions or comments.  There were none.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business, Mr. Thompson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:01 P.M.   Mr. Neff seconded the motion, will all voting Aye.

 

 

 

Norann King

Secretary

East Brandywine Township