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The Regular Meeting of the Doylestown Township Board of
Supervisors was held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at
the Doylestown Township Municipal Building, 425 Wells Road,
Doylestown, PA. Members of the Board of Supervisors in
attendance included Barbara Lyons, Chairman, E. Thomas
Scarborough, Jr., Vice Chairman, Barbara Eisenhardt, Cynthia
Philo, and Jeffrey Bennett. Others in attendance included
Jeffrey Garton, Township Solicitor, Lieutenant Dean Logan,
Police Department Mario Canales, Township Engineer, and
Stephanie Mason, Township Manager.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Ms.
Lyons noted that Ms. Eisenhardt will be taping the meeting
tonight along with Liz Vile, Recording Secretary.
PRESENTATIONS:
Central Bucks Family YMCA:
Herb Sudfeld, Esquire, Eugene Smith, Central Bucks Family YMCA
and Eric Clase, Engineer with Gilmore & Associates was present
to discuss the proposed expansion of the Central Bucks Family
YMCA. They also discussed six items of relief from the zoning
ordinance that they will seek from the Zoning Hearing Board.
Mr.
Sudfeld said the expansion includes a new aquatic facility,
additional parking, expansion of the Wellness Center, children’s
special needs facility, childcare facility, older adult
programs, and a children’s activity area. The variance for
relief of the 100 foot setback to relocate a picnic pavilion is
not necessary because the pavilion will be located beyond the
100 ft. setback.
The
variance requests are as follows:
1.
To permit the detention basin/playfield within 100 ft. of
the property line.
2.
To remove the building setback along a collector road
from 68 feet to 58 feet in the location of the proposed building
addition.
3.
To reduce the required amount of parking from 499 spaces
to 400 spaces.
4.
To permit more than 30 parking spaces between planting
strips and also not to provide planting strips between rows of
parking within the proposed parking area located along Lower
State Road.
5.
To permit paving within 25 feet of a building.
6.
To permit parking in the front yard along Lower State
Road.
Regular
Meeting
March 4, 2008
Ms.
Eisenhardt expressed concerns about not having enough parking
and inquired about banking parking spaces in reserve in case
they are needed for the future.
Mr.
Sudfeld agreed that if there is additional parking needed, we
will provide it.
Ms.
Lyons asked for any public comments.
John Everett, 11 Turk Road, asked whether the Township has a
mechanism for enforcing the applicant to have more parking?
Solicitor Garton replied yes, and it will be crafted as a
condition of the decision and the Township can enforce that
decision.
George Guise, resident, asked if the applicant is required to
provide additional parking, what does the Township require with
regards to exit/entrance of the property?
Ms.
Philo replied it will be looked at.
Ms.
Eisenhardt made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Philo to not send the
Township Solicitor to the ZHB conditioned upon the applicant put
in writing that they will have additional parking in reserve
across the creek as shown on the plan of the land adjacent to
Teversall.
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
Proposal to Cablecast Township Meetings:
Kurt Krause, TAB (Telecommunications Advisory Board), provided a
written proposal to cablecast Township meetings to the Board.
(See attached to minutes).
Ms.
Eisenhardt asked about microphones for residents.
Mr.
Krause replied there will be a pedestal microphone setup for
public speakers.
Ms.
Philo made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Eisenhardt to move forward
with the plan to cablecast Township meetings.
Mr.
Bennett asked for the amount budgeted for this project.
Ms.
Mason replied $19,700.
Regular
Meeting
March 4, 2008
Mr.
Bennett said he supports the idea of televising meetings;
however, he expressed concerns about using volunteers to
televise the meetings as they may not be as reliable as paid
staff and may compromise the integrity of the meeting. He asked
about an alternative to paying someone to do it and for the
cost.
Mr.
Krause replied we did not obtain any cost estimates for that.
Ms.
Lyons asked for any public comments.
Joe
Paternostra, resident, asked about using directional microphones
for public use and suggested hiring someone to televise the
meetings if a volunteer does not show up.
John Everett, Turk Road, asked about looking into the
possibility of archiving the meetings and playing them back on
the Township website.
Mr.
Krause replied that is an option.
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
VISITOR COMMENTS:
Bill Lahr, Bunker Hill Road, expressed concerns about the
left-hand turn lane at the traffic light at Rt. 611 and
Almshouse Road.
The
Board directed Ms. Mason to contact Armour & Son and Pennoni &
Associates, the township consultant, to inspect it to make sure
it is operating per the permit and report back at the next
meeting.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Ms.
Lyons announced that the next meeting of the Board of
Supervisors is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, 2008.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – February 19, 2008:
Mr.
Scarborough made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Eisenhardt to approve
the minutes of the February 19, 2008 Board of Supervisors
meeting.
One
addition and one correction were made as follows: Page 5 –
Public Hearing – The vote: MOTION FAILED 2-3. Ms. Philo, Mr.
Scarborough and Ms. Eisenhardt opposed. Page 9 - spelling
correction – Doris Clegg, EAC Chairperson.
Regular
Meeting
March 4, 2008
Mr.
Bennett asked for the legal requirements of what is to be
included in the minutes.
Solicitor Garton replied the minutes are at the discretion of
the Board. The minimum requirements are: attendance, time/day of
meeting, any action taken and the vote on that action and
comments from the public.
Joe
Paternostra, resident, commented that since the Board will have
visual copies of the meetings; why worry about the minutes.
Mr.
Bennett indicated that he will provide his comments about the
minutes in an email to the Board.
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
CORRESPONDENCE: There was no report.
REPORTS:
Solicitor: There was no report.
Township Engineer: There was no report.
Police Chief: There was no report.
Township Manager: There was no report.
Supervisors:
Ms.
Philo commented that she attended an open space meeting
regarding the Special Equestrian Center.
Mr.
Scarborough commented that Stuart Simon, who spent 10 years on
the Telecommunications Advisory Board, has left and should be
recognized for his service.
Ms.
Eisenhardt commented regarding the RFP request that is going out
for the potential on lot site inspection project in the Pebble
Ridge area; she is concerned about those who respond to the RFP
presenting permission slips to the homeowners of each lot or
property, and that it would be cost prohibitive for them to pay
their engineers to do it. That matter should come back to the
Township. The RFP’s are due on March 10th and she
would like to be there when they are opened.
Solicitor Garton suggested that if any homeowner has a problem,
they should contact the Township as opposed to asking for
permission slips to be returned.
Regular
Meeting
March 4, 2008
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Doylestown Hospital Authority Bond Issue 2008:
Mr.
Scarborough made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Eisenhardt to approve
the resolution No. 1401 for the Doylestown Hospital Authority
Bond Issue 2008.
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
Hancock Group Proposed LI & C1 to C2 Zoning Change:
Ms.
Eisenhardt expressed concerns about an offer to the Township of
a free sewer line for residents to tap into and she would
challenge that the Bucks County Water & Sewer Authority does not
put a second sewer line every place there is a restaurant. She
made a MOTION to TABLE until there is further information from
the BCWSA before advertising a Public Hearing.
David Shafkowitz, representing the applicant, the Hancock Group,
asked the Board to consider the request for advertising for the
proposed rezoning, and said that any concerns of the Board will
be addressed at the Public Hearing.
James Bingler, 29 Turkey Lane, asked is it a problem taking such
a large parcel from one district and placing it another
district.
Mr.
Shafkowitz replied the issue is not the designation of the
zoning district; it is the uses that are permitted in these
districts.
Doris Clegg, EAC Chairman, proposed that the Board of
Supervisors meet with the Planning Commission to discuss
updating the Comprehensive Plan.
MOTION to TABLE FAILED 1-4. Mr. Bennett, Ms. Philo, Ms. Lyons,
and Mr. Scarborough opposed.
Mr.
Scarborough made a MOTION, seconded by Mr. Bennett to approve
advertising a Public Hearing for the Hancock Group proposed LI &
C1 to C2 zoning change.
MOTION was ADOPTED 4-1. Ms. Eisenhardt opposed.
Regular
Meeting
March 4, 2008
Eagle Scout Proclamations:
Kyle W. Wood, Troop 71:
Ms.
Philo made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Eisenhardt to approve the
Proclamation of Kyle W. Wood, Troop 71.
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
Zachary Robert Thorne, Troop 130:
Mr.
Scarborough made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Eisenhardt to approve
the Proclamation of Zachary Robert Thorne, Troop 130.
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
2008 Sounds of Summer- Performers Contracts:
Ms.
Eisenhardt made a MOTION, seconded by Mr. Bennett to approve the
2008 Sounds of Summer Performers Contracts of BAM Percussion and
Vital Theater Company.
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
2008 Oktoberfest –Skelly’s Amusements Contract:
Ms.
Eisenhardt made a MOTION, seconded by Mr. Bennett to approve the
2008 Oktoberfest – Skelly’s Amusements Contract.
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
Sweeper Contract Bid:
Ms.
Philo made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Eisenhardt to approve the
Sweeper Contract Bid to RMC Clean Sweep in the amount of
$11,600. .
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
2008 Sign and Post Bid:
Mr.
Bennett made a MOTION, seconded by Ms. Eisenhardt to approve the
2008 Sign and Post Bid per Mr. John’s memo dated 2/28/08.
MOTION was ADOPTED 5-0.
Regular
Meeting
March 4, 2008
ANNOUNCEMENT:
Ms.
Lyons announced that the next meeting of the Board of
Supervisors is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, 2008.
ADJOURNMENT: 8:56 p.m.
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Authored by Development Solutions