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The regular meeting of the Doylestown Township
Board of Supervisors was held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20,
2007, at the Doylestown Township Municipal Building, 425 Wells
Road, Doylestown, PA. Members of the Board of Supervisors in
attendance included Barbara Lyons, Chairperson, E. Thomas
Scarborough, Jr., Vice Chairman, Walter C. Berry 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. Absent: Barbara Eisenhardt
Pledge to the Flag: The meeting opened with a
pledge to the flag.
Audio Taping of Meeting: Ms. Lyons announced
that the meeting would be audio taped for Ms. Eisenhardt.
Visitors/Public Comment: Mr. Ernie Gash
explained that there are packets of materials from the Summit on
Aging with regarding, among other things, information concerning
the senior games that will be held in Bucks County beginning on
June 6, 2007.
Mr. Gash explained that there will be a need for housing on
October 19th and/or 20th, 2007 for participants in the Suburban
League Championship Cross County Meet The Board asked him to
make this need known to Karen Sweeney and the Park and
Recreation Board.
Mr. Bob Pierson commented that the Township’s
Channel 22 was very good and he enjoyed the background music
provided on the channel.
He asked for an update concerning any changes
being made to Ferry Road. The Board explained that this is a
State Road and the Township has not been successful in having
PennDOT make improvements to this roadway.
Mr. Pierson explained that the problem is runoff
from the New Britain side of the roadway as well as low hanging
tree branches.
Ms. Mason said that she would contact PennDOT to
look into the problems on Ferry Road.
Mr. Harry Reath reiterated Mr. Pierson’s concerns
with the poor drainage and low hanging trees/vines along Ferry
Road.
Ms. Philo suggested that the Traffic Committee
put this item on their agenda for discussion and help in
resolving the problems in this area of the Township.
Announcements:
After discussion, the consensus of the Board was
to cancel the April 3, 2007 Board of Supervisors meeting.
The next meeting of the Board of Supervisors
meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 17, 2007.
Minute Taking Discussion: Ms. Lyons explained,
in response to questions asked at the March 6, 2007 Board
meeting, the minutes reflect actual motions made and by whom,
but do not reflect word for word discussions involving Board
member discussions. If a correction is needed the Board reviews
the suggested correction and votes on whether it is to be made
or not.
Minutes Approval:
Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting– March 6,
2007. .
On motion of Mr. Scarborough, seconded by Mr.
Berry, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the minutes
of the Board of Supervisors regular meeting held March 6, 2007
as submitted. This motion passed by a vote of 4 to 0.
Resolutions and Commendations: None.
Correspondence: None.
Presentation to Anna Marie Walsh – Recognition of 20 years of
service to the Township The Board thanked Anna Marie Walsh for
her service to the Township for 20 years as an elected auditor
for the Board of Auditors and presented her with a plaque
commemorating her service. Ms. Walsh thanked the Board for
recognizing her service thanked the residents for their support.
REPORTS:
Solicitor: No report.
Township Engineer: No report.
Police Report: No report.
Township Manager: American Heritage Federal Credit Union. Ms.
Mason referred to the Board to a memorandum dated March 14, 2007
with an attached brochure and indicated that a presentation had
been made to the staff by a representative of the American
Heritage Federal Credit Union and the staff has requested that
the Township become a member. On motion of Ms. Philo, seconded
by Mr. Berry, the Board of Supervisors requested that a letter
be sent to the American Heritage Federal Credit Unit requesting
that the Township become a member. This motion passed by a vote
of 4 to 0.
Supervisors:
Mr. Scarborough explained that Central Bucks
Ambulance is in need of funding in order to continue serving the
residents as it currently does. He reminded the Board that last
year a contribution was made and that further financial
documentation was requested and needed before any future
contributions could be made. He said that the Central Bucks
Ambulance is aware of the need for their audit to be completed
and are working on providing more detailed financial reports.
He said that he would continue to update the Board on this
issue. The Board suggested that this matter would be forwarded
to the Ways and Means Committee for review.
Mr. Scarborough explained that the Ways and Means
Committee meets the 1st Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. and
has elected the following officers:
Mark Glassman, Chairman
Merrill Pierce, Vice Chairman;
Carolyn Paulosky, Secretary
Ms. Philo reminded everyone that the Annual Egg
Hunt will be held on
March 31, 2007 at 10:00 a.m.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Proposed C-1 Sign Ordinance Amendment: After discussion, on
motion of Mr. Berry, seconded by Mr. Scarborough, the Board of
Supervisors recommended that the proposed sign amendment for
Article 20 of Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 specifically relating to
the signs in the C-1 District be re-advertised for consideration
at a public meeting. This motion passed by a vote of 4 to 0.
NEW BUSINESS:
LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW EXTENSIONS:
Touhill (Landis) Preliminary Major Subdivision
Plan Review Extension (Location: 9025 Sandy Ridge Road): On
motion of Mr. Scarborough, seconded by Mr. Berry, the Board of
Supervisors granted an extension for plan review for the Touhill
(Landis) Preliminary Major Subdivision April 30, 2007. This
motion passed by a vote of 4 to 0.
Tarry Builders, Inc. Review Extension
(Location: Bedford Avenue) On motion of Mr. Scarborough,
seconded by Mr. Berry, the Board of Supervisors granted an
extension for plan review for the Tarry Builders, Inc.
Subdivision for 45 days from April 19, 2007. This motion passed
by a vote of 4 to 0.
LAND DEVELOPMENTS
Neamand Tract Final Land Development Plan: (Location: Southern
Side of Lower State Road TMP #09-7-130): The applicant
proposes to subdivide the 31.399 acre tract that was previously
occupied by White Eagle Laboratories into four lots; three lots
for the existing single family detached dwelling and one lot for
the remaining ten buildings associated with the research
facility. Lot 1 would be 41,128 square feet; lot 2 would be
42,073 square feet; lot 3 would be 815,215 square feet and lot 4
would be 407,337 square feet. Public sewerage will serve all
four lots with on-lot water serving lots 1, 2 and 4 and public
water will continue to serve lot 3. Mr. Harrison went over the
waivers that the applicant is requesting concerning the
requirement to show existing features within 400 feet of the
site; widening of Lower State Road; construction of curbs and
sidewalks as well as woodland disturbance. He indicated that he
believes literal enforcement of the various provisions for which
he requested waivers would be an undue hardship to his clients.
Mr. Harrison addressed the issue of the request to install a
public water line from lot 3 to lots 1, 2 and 4 and explained
that this condition was not part of the Preliminary Approval and
therefore should not be a condition of Final Approval.
Additionally, he explained that this could cost the applicant
approximately $65,000 which would constitute an undue hardship
to his client. Also, he told the Board that the wells currently
serving lots l, 2 and 4 are in good working condition. Mr.
Harrison, on behalf of the Applicant, agreed that if lot 3 is
subdivided in the future the waivers discussed above would be
revisited and may be imposed and a note on the plan to this
effect would be added.
After discussion, on motion of Mr. Scarborough, seconded by Ms.
Philo, the Board of Supervisors approved Final Approval of the
Neamand Tract Land Development subject to the following
conditions:
1. Compliance with the conditions of
Preliminary Plan approval which occurred on 10/17/06 to the
extent same has not been completed;
2. Compliance with the Boucher & James
report dated 2/7/07;
3. Compliance with the Pickering, Corts &
Summerson report dated 2/1/07, but the Board of Supervisors
agreed that in lieu of making a contribution for the waivers
previously granted by the Board as part of Preliminary Plan
approval and in lieu of extending the water line as requested by
the Doylestown Township Municipal Authority, this approval is
conditioned upon and subject to the requirement imposed on the
applicant that when and if a further development of Lot No. 3
occurs, either as a subdivision or land development, then the
then developer of that lot shall be required to make such
improvements as the Township shall deem appropriate with respect
to sidewalks, road widenings, curbs, utilities and the like,
which said improvements shall not be limited to Lot 3 but would
be extended to Lots 1 through 4. A note to this effect shall be
placed on the plan of subdivision prior to its execution by the
Board of Supervisors and its recording;
4. Funding and execution of Development
and Financial Security Agreements to the extent required; and
5. Payment of all township expenses
associated with the application.
Sunrise Senior Living – Proposal to Construct an Assisted Living
Facility (Location: Easton Road): Ed Murphy, Esquire was
present to discuss the proposal with the Board as was Joseph
McElwee, Senior Vice President of Development for Sunrise Senior
Living. Mr. McElwee explained that the Sunrise Corporation is
the equitable owner of a portion of the Held Tract which is next
to the AAA property on Route 611 South next to Holbert’s.
Sunrise has been in existence for approximately 25 years and
they have 425 communities in 33 states as well as Canada, Great
Britain and Germany with 13 facilities in the Philadelphia
area. Typically the residences are built to resemble a
Victorian manor and are assisted living which is a life style
between independent living and nursing home living. The
proposal is for an approximately 67,00 square foot building
consisting of three floors with single and double rooms. They
provide three meals a day, laundry services and medication
assistance with an RN and LPN on staff. Very few residents have
cars so the facility will have a low impact on traffic in the
area.
Mr. Murphy explained that this is not a permitted use in this
area of the Township and that the tract is less than the
required 5 acre minimum for the proposed facility. Additionally
a lot line change would be required to accomplish the
applicant’s goals. He asked for input from the Board as to the
concept prior to the applicant moving forward with the proposal
as he believes the various obstacles can be overcome by the
applicant and the Township working together.
A discussion was held concerning the proposal and the consensus
of the Board was that more information, including a sketch plan
showing what could be built on the remainder of the Held Tract,
would be required prior to any further meaningful discussions
with the Board.
ZONING HEARING BOARD APPLICATION:
Clyde and Betsy Payne – 138 East Road – Request for Variance:
The consensus of the Board was that no representation from the
Board of Supervisors was necessary for this zoning application.
EAGLE SCOUTS:
Nathaniel Martin Thorne - Troop 130: On motion of Ms. Philo,
seconded by Mr. Scarborough, the Board of Supervisors approved a
Proclamation honoring Nathaniel Martin Thorne from Troop 130 as
an Eagle Scout by a vote of 4 to 0. Nathaniel’s Special Court
of Honor will be held on April 21, 2007.
Matthew K. Wecker - Troop 71: On motion of Ms. Philo, seconded
by Mr. Scarborough, the Board of Supervisors approved a
Proclamation honoring Matthew K. Wecker from Troop 71 as an
Eagle Scout by a vote of 4 to 0. Mr. Scarborough will attend
the Special Court of Honor on April 15, 2007.
Texas Eastern Pipeline: Mr. Raymond Hoza, Right-of-Way
Representative from Texas Eastern Pipeline was present. He
explained that it is necessary for Texas Eastern Pipeline to
acquire temporary workspace adjacent to, but outside of the
existing permanent easement area. Texas Eastern Pipeline offers
compensation in the amount of $7,450 for the 1.49 acres that
they need plus $500.00 for restoring the access road. The Board
suggested that Texas Eastern commit to resurfacing Ashway Road
1,000 feet in either direction of the cut through. Mr. Hoza
explained that he could not authorize the resurfacing but would
ask his supervisor to consider this. Additionally, Ms. Philo
said she believes the fee for the 1.49 acre temporary easement
should be $10,490.00. Mr. Hoza explained that he could
authorize that payment. After discussion, on motion of Mr.
Scarborough, seconded by Ms. Philo, the Board of Supervisors
agreed to table this matter until Mr. Hoza could confirm whether
or not Texas Eastern would commit to resurfacing 1,000 feet in
either direction of the cut through on Ashway Road at which time
a decision would be made with respect to the payment for the
temporary use easement. This motion passed by a vote of 4 to
0. The Board agreed that an e-mail vote would be taken on this
matter should that be helpful to expedite this project for Texas
Eastern Pipeline.
2007 B.C. Road Material Bid: On motion of Ms. Philo, seconded
by Mr. Berry, the Board of Supervisors approved awarding the
2007 Bucks County Road Material Bid to Eureka Stone Quarry in
the total amount of $31,700.00. This motion passed by a vote of
4 to 0.
Treasurers Report: On motion of Mr. Berry, seconded by Mr.
Scarborough, the Board of Supervisors approved the March 20,
2007 Treasurer’s Report. This motion passed by a vote of 4 to
0.
Bills List: On motion of Mr. Scarborough, seconded by Mr.
Berry, the Board of Supervisors approved the March 20, 2007
Bills List in the amount of $598,501.91. This motion passed by
a vote of 4 to 0.
Announcements:
The next meeting of the Board of Supervisors meeting will be
held on Tuesday, April 17, 2007.
Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before the regular
meeting, the Board of Supervisors meeting adjourned at 8.20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by
Stephanie J. Mason |
Authored by Development Solutions