RICHLAND TOWNSHIP

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

                                                            BUSINESS MEETING

JULY 28, 2008

 

Chairman, Craig Staats, called the Richland Township Board of Supervisors Business Meeting to order. Members present: Richard Orloff and Michael Zowniriw.  Also present:  Stephen Sechriest, Township Manager; Kevin Kochanski, Township Planner, Boucher & James; Dick Wieland, Township Engineer, Carroll Engineering; Andrew Brown, Township Traffic Engineer, Carroll Engineering; B. Lincoln Treadwell, Township Solicitor,.

 

I.              OPENING

                A.            The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

                B.            The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

                C.            Mr. Orloff gave the Invocation.

                D.            The Roll Call was taken.

 

Note:  The Board of Supervisors held an executive session prior to the start of the meeting concerning the matter of the appeal of County Builders, Inc. from the Board of Supervisors decision denying Conditional Use approval (Case No. 2005-08310-27-5), and the potential ZHB litigation concerning Alcamo’s Pizza.

 

Note:  The Board of Supervisors held an executive session after the meeting concerning a personnel matter involving contract negotiations.

 

II.            PUBLIC HEARINGS

                Not applicable for this agenda.

 

III.           PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Paul Gerhart, Jr., Commander VFW Post 11322 requested that the Township consider donating funds to be used toward the rent of their facilities.

                The BOS requested that Mr. Sechriest look into this and bring back a recommendation.

 

IV.           PRESENTATIONS

                Not applicable for this agenda.

 

V.            BOARD AND STAFF REPORTS

Stephen Sechriest, Township Manager, had several items to report on.  The first was that he attended the PUC hearing for the PPL proposal on July 17, 2008 at Benner Hall. Mr. Sechriest stated    that Community Day was well attended and that the Arts Camp had several art displays there.  Mr.Sechriest stated that there will be a Movie Night held on Friday, August 1, 2008 at 8:30 p.m.at Veterans Park (the movie Enchanted will be played). The final item from Mr. Sechriest was to recommend the BOS appoint the firm of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP for township special counsel regarding labor matters.

 

MOTION               Mr. Orloff made a motion to appoint the firm of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP as special counsel for Township labor matters as recommended by Mr. Sechriest.  Mr. Zowniriw seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously. 

 

                Richard Orloff, Township Supervisor, commented on the dedication and veteran’s memorial ceremony held on Community Day at Veteran’s Park.  Mr. Orloff also commented that he had been observing the various activities at Veteran’s Park and stated that he thought things were becoming successful.

 

                Craig Staats, Township Supervisor, had no reports at this time.

 

                Michael Zowniriw, Township Supervisor, had no reports at this time.

 

                Kevin Kochanski, Township Planner, had no reports at this time.

 

                Andrew Brown, Township Engineer, had no reports at this time.

 

                B. Lincoln Treadwell, Township Solicitor, had no reports at this time.

 

                Sergeant Richard Ficco, Township Police Department, had no reports at this time.

 

VI.           DEVELOPERS’ ISSUES

A.                  Consideration of Preliminary Plan approval for Schenk Enterprises, LLC’s proposed Quaker Industrial Commons, Lot #3, a proposed flex space industrial building for multiple tenants proposed to be located along Kelly Road.  The applicant is seeking preliminary plan approval for this project.

                        Present to discuss this issue with the BOS was:  Mr. Jason Herron, Solicitor; Mr. David                                                      Schenk, Principal, and John Evarts, Engineer.

 

MOTION               Mr. Staats made a motion to grant the following waivers for Schenk Enterprises, LLC’s proposed Quaker Industrial Commons, Lot #3 as outlined in Stout, Tacconelli, & Assoc., Inc. letter dated December 20, 2007:  Section 516.5.B regarding  the setback of parking spaces from buildings; Section 518 regarding sidewalks, provided a note be placed on the plan requiring the owner to install sidewalks at their own expense if required by the Township in the future; Section 702.C.2 regarding the location of existing features within 400 feet of the site; Sections 524.2.D & E regarding a traffic impact study; Section 307.16 regarding retaining walls in detention basins; and Section 516.5.C regarding parking stall depth.  Mr. Orloff seconded the motion. Vote:  All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.

 

MOTION               Mr. Staats made a motion to grant Preliminary Plan Approval for Schenk Enterprises, LLC’s proposed Quaker Industrial Commons, Lot #3 subject to the following:  Compliance with the Boucher & James letter dated July 9, 2008; compliance with the Carroll Engineering Corp. letter dated July 9, 2008; compliance with the Fire Marshal memo dated February 14, 2008; receipt of all permits and approvals from any agencies having jurisdiction over such matters; project receives approvals from all municipal and governmental agencies having jurisdiction over the project; the applicant complies with all applicable provisions of the Township Zoning Ordinance and the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance; subject to the applicant obtaining any required relief from the Richland Township Zoning Hearing Board; and compliance with any conditions imposed upon the project by the Township Zoning Hearing Board in the granting of any relief.  Mr. Orloff seconded the motion. Vote:  All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.

 

B.                   Consideration of Amended Final Plan approval for Reserve at Hidden Ponds, a proposed residential subdivision proposed along Station Road at the site of the former Pennfield Factory.  The Applicant is seeking amended final plan approval for this project.   Present to discuss this project with the BOS was Mr. Robert Gundlach, Solicitor.

 

MOTION               Mr. Orloff made a motion to grant Amended Final Plan Approval for Reserve at Hidden Ponds subject to the following:  Compliance with the Boucher & James letter dated July 9, 2008; compliance with the Carroll Engineering Corp. review letter dated May 14, 2008; compliance with any conditions set forth in the Stipulated Agreement dated August 3, 2004, which is captioned at 02-03002-25, as amended by the Amendment to Stipulation of Settlement acted on August 14, 2006 at the Board of Supervisors meeting and as amended by the Amended and Restated Stipulation of Settlement dated June 20, 2008; compliance with any conditions set forth in the Preliminary and Final Plan Approvals; compliance with any conditions imposed upon the project by the Zoning Hearing Board in the granting of any relief; The HOA will own and maintain both ponds. However, an access easement will be provided to the Township to permit public access along the entire trail system; the applicant shall provide a portion of the required on-lot landscaping and a portion of the required buffer yard plantings at Veterans and/or Station Road Parks or a fee in-lieu-of the required plantings will be provided; project receives approvals from all municipal and governmental agencies having jurisdiction over the project; the applicant complies with all applicable provisions of the Township Zoning Ordinance and the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance; receipt of all permits and approvals from any agencies having jurisdiction over such matters; and in the event the required Financial Security Agreement is not executed within 90 days of this approval, this approval shall expire and be deemed revoked unless a written extension is granted by the Governing Body.  Mr. Zowniriw seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

C.                   Consideration of a Stormwater Exemption Request for Chaz Surman for a property located on Church Road.  Mr. Surman is seeking a storm water exemption for the construction of a single-family detached dwelling on his 4.1 acre property on Church Road.

MOTION               Mr. Orloff made a motion to grant Mr. Chaz Surman’s request for a stormwater exemption as requested subject to a fee for the exemption of $500.00.  Mr. Staats seconded the motion. Vote:  All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.

D.                  Consideration of a Stormwater Exemption Request for the Froshour/Grady property located at 1335 Doylestown Pike.  Froshour/Grady are seeking a stormwater exemption for the construction of a single-family detached dwelling on this 7.3 acre property located on Doylestown Pike.

MOTION               Mr. Orloff made a motion to grant Froshour/Grady’s request for a stormwater exemption as requested subject to a fee for the exemption of $500.00.  Mr. Staats seconded the motion. Vote:  All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.

E.                   Time Extension Request for the QPSR Partners, LP project called Pavilion at Richland for a shopping center to be located on the southeast corner of Rt. 309 and W. Pumping Station Road.  The applicant is seeking a 90-day extension of the review period for this project.

 

MOTION               Mr. Staats made a motion to approve Resolution #08-24, which grants a 90-day extension of the review period to QPSR Partners, LP project called Pavilion at Richland.  The extension will expire on October 1, 2008.  Mr. Orloff seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.

 

F.                   Time Extension Request for Children’s Development Program, a proposed land development to convert the existing building at Rt. 313 and Thatcher Road to a day care use.  The applicant is seeking a 90-day extension of the review period for this project.

 

MOTION               Mr. Staats made a motion to approve Resolution #08-25, which grants a 90-day                                                   extension of the review period to Children’s Development Program project.   The                                                      extension will expire on November 12, 2008.  Mr. Orloff seconded the motion.  Vote:                                               All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.

 

G.                   Dedication of Ronald Reagan Drive by the Quakertown Community School District.  The School District has completed the required improvements for the Strayer Middle School Project, including their portion of the Ronald Reagan Drive up to the school, and posted the required maintenance bond.

 

MOTION               Mr. Staats made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 08-26, accepting a deed of                                                         dedication of a road for use as a public road to be known as Ronald Reagan Drive                                                        being situated along lands of Quakertown Community School District.  Mr. Zowniriw                                           seconded the motion. Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

H.                  Dedication of the right-of-ways and open space for the Beaver Run Village Project located along Station Road.  The required improvements for this project have been completed and the required maintenance bond has been provided.

MOTION               Mr. Orloff made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 08-27 accepting a deed of                                                          dedication for open space in Richland Township situated along lands of Beaver                                                             Run Village, LP.  Mr. Staats seconded the motion. Vote:  All in favor.  Motion                                                           carried unanimously.

 

MOTION               Mr. Orloff made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 08-28 accepting a deed of                                                          dedication for a 40 foot wide right-of-way for Station Road in Richland                                                                            Township situated along lands of Beaver Run Village, LP.  Mr. Staats seconded                                                           the motion. Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

I.                     Escrow Releases

A.      Quakertown Community School District, Strayer Middle School Project, Final Escrow Release Request.  The developer has requested a release of escrow funds for this project.  Mr. Mark Eisold, Boucher & James, have reviewed the request and outlined his recommendations in a     letter dated July 8, 2008

MOTION               Mr. Staats made a motion to grant a release of escrow funds to Quakertown Community                                   School District Strayer Middle School Project as recommended by Mr. Mark Eisold,                                      Boucher & James and outlined in his letter dated July 8, 2008 in the amount of $76,211.98                                                subject to deductions of any outstanding fees due to the Township.  Mr. Orloff seconded the                                                 motion.  Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

B.       Beaver Run Village, Final Escrow Release Request.  The developer has requested a release of escrow funds for this project. Mr. Mark Eisold, Boucher & James, have reviewed the request and outlined his recommendations in a letter dated July 8, 2008

MOTION               Mr. Staats made a motion to grant a release of escrow funds to Main Street Development                                  Group, Inc., for Beaver Run Village Project as recommended by Mr. Mark Eisold, Boucher                                   & James and outlined in his letter dated July 8, 2008 in the amount of $164,190.04 subject to                                                 deductions of any outstanding fees due to the Township.  Mr. Orloff seconded the motion.                                       Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

C.       Sweetbriar Phase III, Release No. 16.  The developer has requested a release of escrow funds for this project.  Mr. Mark Eisold, Boucher & James, have reviewed the request and outlined his recommendations in a letter dated July 8, 2008

MOTION               Mr. Staats made a motion to grant a release of escrow funds to Pickertown                                                                          Hickory Associates, L.P. Sweetbriar Phase III Project as recommended by Mr.                                                   Mark Eisold, Boucher & James, and outlined in his letter dated July 8, 2008 in the                                                    amount of $21,000.66 subject to deductions of any outstanding fees due to the                                                         Township.  Mr. Orloff seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried                                                   unanimously.

 

J.                    Zoning Hearing Scheduled for July 31, 2008

Gunyan Trust, 944 E Cherry Road.  The applicant is seeking undefined relief from the Zoning Hearing Board to escape enforcement action by the Zoning Officer in an ongoing violation enforcement matter.  The Township staff recommends opposition due to the vagueness of the request.

MOTION               Mr. Orloff made a motion to authorize Mr. Treadwell to attend the Zoning Hearing Board                                                to represent the Township in this matter.  Mr. Staats seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in                                       favor. Motion carried unanimously.

K.                  Zoning Hearings Scheduled for August 12, 2008

A.      Northfield Business Campus, LLC, East Pumping Station Road.  The applicant is seeking a variance to construct a shared driveway in the buffer yard area along the side property lines for two users of the planned flex space industrial park.  The BOS decided to not to take a position on this issue.

 

B.       Children’s Development Program, Inc., 995 Doylestown.  The applicant is seeking a special exception and several variances in order to convert the existing building into a day care use.  The BOS decided to       not to take a position on this issue.

VII.         TOWNSHIP BUSINESS ITMES (OLD AND NEW)

A.      Minutes from June 9, 2008 Business Meeting

MOTION               Mr. Orloff made a motion to approve the minutes from the Richland Township Board of                                     Supervisors Business Meeting on June 9, 2008 as edited.  Mr. Zowniriw seconded the                                             motion.  Vote:  All in favor.  Motion carried unanimously.

B.       Financial Business –Approve payment of bills summarized below.  For detail see the financial reports.

General Fund Total - $236,058.67

Police Fund Total - $65,851.72

Recreation Fund Total - $65,042.13

Volunteer Board Fund Total - $24,155.18

Fire Fund Total - $7,117.39

Developer Escrow Fund Total - $73,238.53

Highway Aid Fund Total - $45,084.49

Traffic Improvement Fund Total - $690.00

MOTION               Mr. Staats made a motion to approve the payment of bills as presented. Mr. Orloff seconded                                             the motion.  Vote:  All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.

C.       Naming of Park.  The Park and Recreation Board recommend that the Township Park located adjacent to the Township Municipal Building to be named the Robert O. Keller Memorial Park.

 

MOTION               Mr. Orloff made a motion to name the Township Park located adjacent to the Township                                     Municipal Building the Robert O. Keller Memorial Park as recommended by the Park and                                                 Recreation Board.  Mr. Staats seconded the motion.  Vote: All in favor.  Motion carried                                            unanimously.

VIII.        PUBLIC COMMENT

                Mr. Mark Baker, Arbour Street, had several comments concerning the development in the township in regards to the sewer moratorium, construction trash left by the developer in his subdivision   and storm water issues.  Mr. Kochanski stated that he would check with the inspections department       regarding these issues and report back.

IX.           ADJOURNMENT

MOTION               Mr. Staats made a motion to adjourn the Richland Township Board of Supervisors Business Meeting at 8:29 p.m.  Mr. Zowniriw seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.

 

NOTE:  The next business meeting of the Richland Township Board of Supervisors will be held on Monday, August 11, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine Woods

Recording Secretary