CHADDS FORD TOWNSHIP

 

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES

 

Wednesday, December 8, 2004

 

            The Planning Commission of Chadds Ford Township met in the Township Hall on Wednesday, December 8, 2004.  In attendance were Chairman William Taylor, Vice-Chairman Maurice Todd, Fred Reiter, and Paul Vernon.  Gordon Daniels was absent.  Kevin Matson, of Kelly Engineers, and our Township Code Enforcement Officer Richard Jensen were also in attendance.

 

CALL TO ORDER

            The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

            There was no public comment.

 

MINUTES

 

The Planning Commission motioned and approved (Vernon/Reiter) the Minutes of the November 30, 2004 meeting.

 

KEEFE SUBDIVISION

            James Fritsch of Regester Associates presented a plan for this 4.58 acre two-lot subdivision at 47 Atwater Road zoned R-1.  The property is being divided to create a new lot at the rear with a new well.  The existing house, springhouse and driveway will remain as-is on the front lot.  A new single-family home is proposed for the rear lot with a driveway along the western property line.  The existing septic will be removed and replaced.  The existing well will be abandoned.

 

Mr. Fritsch addressed the items in Kelly Engineers’ December 8, 2004 review letter.

 

Because one item of concern raised by many at the meeting, Mr. Jensen asked Mr. Fritsch if it was possible to have one driveway with an easement to the newly created lot instead of two driveways.  Mr. Jensen also questioned if there is an infiltration system proposed for the new house and whether there is an improvement in the runoff by reduction in the meadow condition.  Mr. Fritsch will investigate.  Mr. Fritsch did respond that there will be no drywell added for recharge of the existing house.

 

Many neighboring residents in attendance expressed concern about the location of wells on this property in relation to their own wells.  Mr. Fritsch will clarify these calculations and verify which well will service each house.  Mr. Jensen explained to these residents that these new houses are actually improving stormwater management by recharging runoff water.

 

This plan will be revised and resubmitted.

 

Planning Commission Minutes

Page 2

December 8, 2004

 

BALTIMORE PIKE OVERLAY DISTRICT

            Kevin Matson of Kelly Engineers commented on Tom Comitta’s revisions to the proposed Baltimore Pike Overlay District.  In particular he felt uncomfortable with the delineation of steep slopes 25% or greater.  In the Spotts Stevens & McCoy Baltimore Pike Feasibility Study, it shows a thick band of steep slopes going across the Township of approximately 65% to75% of the entire (green) region shown on the map.  Mr. Matson acquired some USGS survey and topographic information, input this into his computer, and generated the area of steep slopes 25% or greater (area delineated in black).  There is a substantial difference between Mr. Matson’s calculation (actually using 22% or greater) of 10% to 15% steep slopes compared to Spotts Stevens & McCoy’s 65% to 75% steep slopes.  Mr. Matson feels that the Spotts Stevens survey is inaccurate.   

 

Mr. Jensen suggested that this will have to be discussed with Mr. Comitta, because he designed this ordinance starting with information provided by someone else.  It will be important to discuss the significance of the 25% slopes, their location, and how it effects the future development of the Route 1 corridor.  Mr. Jensen raised numerous questions about the revisions dated December 6, 2004.  Mr. Taylor will contact Mr. Comitta to arrange a meeting to discuss the items outlined by both Mr. Matson and Mr. Jensen.  Mr. Matson will provide the Planning Commission with samples of steep slope ordinances.

 

ACT 537 PLAN

            Mr. Matson presented a revision to the Township’s Act 537 plan which states that the Township intends to install sewers along Route 1.  It shows a sewer line coming from the Toll Brothers’ Camp Sunset Hill to Route 1; a sewer line from the Pantos plant to the proposed treatment plant at the Turner’s Mill site; and sewer lines from the village to the Turner’s Mill site.  He provided a tentative schedule; information on how the plant will be financed; and general changes to the Township’s existing Act 537 Plan.  Mr. Matson was looking for confirmation for the Board of Supervisors that the Planning Commission is aware of this revision.  The Planning Commission (Reiter/Todd) recommended that the Route 1 Corridor and Chadds Ford Village revised plan be included in the Township’s Act 537 plan.

 

ADJOURNMENT

            The Planning Commission motioned and seconded (Todd/Vernon) to adjourn at 9:15 p.m.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                    _______________________________

                                                                                    Gail G. Force, Secretary