Minutes from

October 3, 2006

Board of Supervisors Meeting

The regular meeting of the Doylestown Township Board of Supervisors was held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 3, 2006, at the Doylestown Township Municipal Building, 425 Wells Road, Doylestown, PA.  Members of the Board of Supervisors in attendance included Walter C. Berry, Chairman, E. Thomas Scarborough, Jr., Vice Chairman, Barbara Eisenhardt, Barbara N. Lyons and Cynthia Philo.  Others in attendance included Jeffrey Garton, Township Solicitor, Chief Stephen White, Chief of Police, Mario L. Canales, Township Engineer and Stephanie Mason, Township Manager.

Pledge to the Flag:   The meeting opened with a pledge to the flag.

Visitors/Public Comment:  Mr. Jim Bingler, Turkey Lane, inquired about leaf pick up for the coming fall. He was advised that in the township newsletter there was an article as well as information up coming on the township website and channel 22. Each trash hauler in the township that collects residential trash will be offering a leaf pick up program were by residents can bag their leaves and have them picked up on specific days during the up coming Fall season.

Ms. Doris Clegg, EAC Chairman, indicated that tree trimming was still being worked on in compliance with new DEP regulations that the EAC are reviewing.

Mr. Ernie Gash indicated that C.B. South’s cross country team recently held a met at Central Park. The race was well attended and all the bus transportation was handled properly.

Mr. Donald Pisechko, 1562 Turk Road, indicated that he recently connected to the Doylestown Township Municipal Authority public water system and the water pressure in his home is at 39 psi. He does not believe this is adequate for his home. He indicated he had 60 psi with his previous on-site well. He indicated that he was told by the water department that the ordinance indicated that a minimum of 30 psi was acceptable. Mr. John indicated that putting a booster pump in house should assist in regulating the water pressure better.

Mr. Pisechko indicated that some of residents on the street had to put reducer pumps in because the pressure was too high.

Mr. Berry questioned the Willow Lane residents who just received public water and if there were any problems there. Mr. John indicated that there were not. It was suggested by the Board that Mr. John follow up with Mr. Pisechko on this matter.

Carrollton Blueberry Hill Associates:

Representatives were present to speak with the Board regarding their pending Zoning Hearing Board application.

Mr. Garton indicated that although there were mistakes by the design engineer, clarity is critical regarding several issues, such as, woodland disturbance, impervious surface, storm drainage, steep slope issue, and intrusion into the tree protection area.

Mr. Gundlach indicated that he would like to review with the Board items 1, 2, 4, and 6 of the Addendum to Zoning Hearing Board Application.

Brian Zappala, Bohler Engineers, discussed the woodland disturbance, which was at 75% which is now proposed at 79%. The areas of mature trees on the plan is the same as the last plan that was shown to the Board. All the specimen trees are being preserved on the south and east of the property. Providing an overlay, showing the darker green area of additional disturbance which takes it up to 79%. The reason for this is the sidewalk requested by the Planning Commission that is proposed to be put in the disturbed area. The area is approximately 15’ off the edge because of grading and the sanitary sewer lateral. They are hoping to be able to do it and perhaps not have a significant impact. But they will not know that until they are in the field doing that construction. The consensus of the Board is that they are not troubled by this item.

Mr. Scarborough commented that he felt that most of the trees were “scrub” trees verses the mature trees, and he is okay with that.

The impervious surface ratio and how storm drainage is being dealt with and was discussed. The calculation of site capacity originally was incorrect because it was based on gross not net at 60%. However, it is proposed at 78.5% net buildable, however 59% gross buildable. In addition, the site has removed 750 sq. ft. of building coverage and basically it was a mathematical error.

Regarding storm water management, they are utilizing an underground basin on the east side of the building which then drains into the Barn Plaza system. They meet and exceed the water shed of 75%, release rate with the real rate and meeting water quality for MPDS. It does end up in the Neshaminy Creek but does not impact the Estates residents up stream that are having problems at this time. The site was done on a meadow condition release rate and that is in compliance with the ordinance. Again, the consensus of the Board was there were no problems with those issues and to leave that to the Zoning Hearing Board.

Steep Slope Preservation – They have adjusted the site 2,000 sq. ft. They do need relief on the Barn Plaza side previously man made and the Board was okay with that as well.

Announcements:
The next meeting of the Board of Supervisors will be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2006.

The Doylestown Township Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, October 9, 2006, in observance of Columbus Day.

Doylestown Township Budget Work Session will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2006 at 9:00 a.m.

Minutes Approval:

Board of Supervisors Meeting– September 19, 2006.     On motion of Mr. Scarborough, seconded by Mrs. Eisenhardt, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the minutes of the September, 2006 meeting.

Resolutions and Commendations:  None.

Correspondence:  

Request for change in Zoning Ordinance – Noise Standard:  The Board reviewed a letter from Mr. Weinstein requesting a change in the Zoning Ordinance noise standard and the use of ATV and motorcycles on private property. The consensus of the Board was to refer this to the Planning Commission.

REPORTS: 

Solicitor:  No report

Township Engineer:   No report.

Police Report:  No report.

Township Manager:  

Texas Eastern Pipeline Status Report:  Ms. Mason provided the Board with another letter from Texas Eastern and indicated that there were no further updates at this time.

Supervisors:   

Cynthia Philo – Traffic Priority List Provided by the Traffic Advisory Committee:

There were two memos indicating the need to study the Rt. 611 Corridor as well as the intersection of Sauerman and Pebble Woods Roads. There was discussion regarding the existing loop system on Rt. 611 that was installed over 12 years ago by the developer and concerns for its functioning with the volume of traffic on Rt. 611 as well and the need for further improvements. On motion of Ms. Philo, seconded by Mr. Scarborough, the Board unanimously directed Pennoni and Associates, Township Traffic Engineers, to study the Rt. 611 Corridor from Kelly Road to Edison-Furlong Road and to complete an intersection analysis of Sauerman and Pebble Wood Drive.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 

Callan Tract Preliminary Subdivision:  This matter was tabled because the applicant was not present.

Central Bucks Urology  - Tree Issue:  Eric Clase, Gilmore and Assoc, and Dr. Fitzgerald reviewed the letter from Mr. Clase dated September 20, 2006, regarding the cost for replacement trees. It was suggested that the replacement cost be increased to $8,000 which was agreed upon by the applicant. On motion by Mrs. Eisenhardt, seconded by Mr. Scarborough, the Board of Supervisors unanimously accepted the condition that $8,000 would be contributed for the replacement trees associated with the Central Bucks Urology project. In addition, all existing preliminary plan approvals remain in effect.

NEW BUSINESS:
Land Developments – Review Extension

Tarry Builders  Final Subdivision – Plan Review Extension:  (Location:  Bedford Ave.)  On at motion by Mr. Scarborough, seconded by Mrs. Eisenhardt, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an extension of plan review of 90 days from October 11, 2006.

Bredow/Dunn Lot-Line Change – Amendment to Final Plan:  Mr. Garton indicated that Mr. Borden was present on behalf of his clients and noted that there was a 2 foot error on the calculation on the placement of the home and proposed modifying the existing subdivision by 2 feet in the corner of the property. On motion of Mr. Scarborough, seconded by Mrs. Eisenhardt, the Board of Supervisors unanimously granted the amendment to the final plan of the Bredow/Dunn Lot-Line change, with the 2 foot adjustment, payment of all expenses and compliance with all previous conditions set forth.

Act 537 Plan Update- Chalfont / New Britain Township Joint Sewage Authority:   Ken Kollmer, CKS Engineers, was present on behalf of the Chalfont New Britain Township Joint Sewer Authority (CNBTJSA) regarding Chalfont Borough New Britain Township need to have the facility expanded in the future on behalf of their 537 Plan. He indicated that they have been working on this for sometime. DEP has reviewed and one of the comments that came back from DEP was to have Doylestown Township pass a resolution recognizing that the plant would be expanded and they know that they need to meet all land development at the time of such an expansion.

Mrs. Eisenhardt indicated that the Planning Commission and the Public Water and Sewer Advisory Committee raised concerns regarding capacity of the plant and the need for BCW&SA to also take into account Doylestown Township’s needs in this plant as well.

Mr. Kollmer indicated that they have not heard from BCW&SA regarding the need for additional capacity on behalf of any of their customers to date.

Mrs. Eisenhardt suggested that this matter be tabled until such time that the BCW&SA responds to the CNBTJSA regarding plant expansion needs. She also raised concern regarding the proposed variance. Mr. Kollmer indicated that it has nothing to do with the proposed expansion for CNBTJSA in the future, but has to do with improving the area for existing wet weather problems.

Dr. Fitzgerald made a comment that although he has an EDU in the plant at Chalfont / New Britain, he can not access it and will have pay additional money to access one of the other BCW&SA plants for his project.

Mr. Schmidt agreed that expanding the plant one time would be appropriate and would certainly be happy to wait awhile and see if there were any needs from BCW&SA on behalf of Doylestown Township.

It was suggested that a letter be sent to BCW&SA inviting them to the next Public Water & Sewer Advisory Committee meeting to discuss this need and then to have CNBTJSA attend the November committee meeting.

After further discussion it was agreed to table this matter until November 21, 2006.

Zoning Hearing Board: 
Application of Carrollton Blueberry Hill Assoc.:  After discussion the consensus of the Board was to leave this issue to the Zoning Hearing Board. Mrs. Lyons stated her disagreement.

Chalfont/New Britain Township Joint Sewage Authority:  On motion of Mrs. Eisenhardt, seconded by Ms. Philo, it was the consensus of the Board to send the Solicitor to the Zoning Hearing Board hearing for the Chalfont/New Britain Township Joint Sewage Authority.

Announcements:
The next meeting of the Board of Supervisors will be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2006.

The Doylestown Township Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, October 9, 2006, in observance of Columbus Day.

Doylestown Township Budget Work Session will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2006 at 9:00 a.m.

Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before the regular meeting, the Board of Supervisors meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Stephanie Mason, Secretary