WEST GOSHEN TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING
AUGUST 23, 2000

A regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Supervisors of West Goshen Township was called to order by Chairman Robert S. White, at 4:02 p.m. on Wednesday, August 23, 2000, at the West Goshen Township Administration Building.  Ray Halvorsen was absent. Dr. White opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Dr. White opened the floor for public comment. Mr. Allen Johnston, resident of 1206 Karen Lane, was present to discuss the traffic problems on Karen Lane.  The problems that exist pertain to the speed and volume of traffic.  Mr. Johnston advised that a petition had been presented to the Board of Supervisors in May, 2000 which indicated that a majority of the residents approved of a one way sign with restricted hours posted on Karen Lane from Greenhill Road to Phoenixville Pike. The Board of Supervisors had denied this request due to the illegality of the restricted hours; however, were willing to erect a one-way sign on Karen Lane for all hours each day without restrictions.  Mr. Johnston requested a copy of the regulation that stated the sign was illegal since he stated these signs are posted in other townships.  Mr. Kenneth E. Lawrence, Jr., Township Engineer, advised that he would send a copy of the regulations, as issued by PennDOT, to Mr. Johnston. Mr. Johnston then presented several options including the posting of a "No Thru" traffic sign, a "No entrance" sign, stop signs at the cul-de-sac, and increased police enforcement.

Dr. White responded by advising Mr. Johnston that the road could be posted one way all of the time if Mr. Johnston could produce a petition with signatures from all of the residents stating that they were in agreement with such an action.  Mr. Johnston advised that it would be difficult to obtain all of the signatures since many had already expressed opposition to one way all of the time.

Mr. Lawrence advised that a "No Thru" traffic sign could be ordered and posted, although it could not be enforced. Mr. Johnston advised that the sign would be sufficient as it might eliminate some motorists from passing through the street. Dr. White requested that Mr. Lawrence order the sign and have it posted. Dr. White also advised Mr. Lawrence to request that Chief Michael Carroll add Karen Lane to the police department's list of selective enforcement areas.

Mr. Jack Finley, resident of 1217 Gail Road, questioned why the "No Thru" traffic sign could not be enforced.  Mr. Lawrence advised that the sign was still available to be ordered, although it was not on PennDOT's approved regulatory sign list, thereby not allowing it to be enforceable.

Mrs. Evelyn Baker, resident of 900 Sheridan Drive, mentioned that the traffic problem on Karen Drive sounded familiar to the traffic problem on Nottingham Drive. Mrs. Baker advised that the sign would not alleviate the volume of traffic as the surrounding community continues to grow as a result of business and industry.

Dr. White introduced Richard J. Craig, Assistant Township Engineer, and advised that Mr. Craig would be replacing Mr. Lawrence as Township Engineer when Mr. Lawrence retires in December, 2000.  Dr. White further announced that a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, September 13, 2000 at 5:00 p.m. where the Jerrehian Partnership will present conceptual development plans for their property.

Dr. White announced that the Zoning Hearing Board would meet on Thursday, August 31, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. to hear further testimony, consider and possibly act upon the application of Omnipoint Communications Enterprises (ZHB 8-00). The real estate affected is 1340 Pottstown Pike and the present use of the property is Heritage Saddlery, a legal non-conforming retail store.  The applicant is seeking variances from "R-3 Use Regulations", "Building Set-Back line: 40 ft minimum", "Location and Height", "Setbacks at tower base", "Design", "Required parking", and any other relief necessary to permit the erection of a wireless communications facility designed to appear as a flag pole.  Proposed improvements will be a flagpole of 120 ft. in height, an equipment shelter at ground level and landscaping occupying ground space of 25ft. 5in. x 30ft. 5in.

Dr. White further announced that the Zoning Hearing Board will meet on Monday, September 11, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. to hear two applications.  The first application is ZHB 10-00 – the applicant is Philadelphia Suburban Water Company. The real estate affected is location at 990 Fernhill Road.  The applicant is seeking a Special Exception as permitted under the "Public Utility Facility" section.  The applicant is also seeking a variance of "side yards: 50 feet minimum for each" and any other relief necessary to demolish 363 sq. ft. of an existing 823 sq. ft. Booster Pump Station, and to add 184 sq. ft. of new construction. The second application is ZHB 11-00 - the applicant is CSR. The conforming property is located at 205 Carter Drive. The applicant is seeking a special exception as provided for and permitted in "Grading and Refill" and any other relief necessary to fill a stream basin in order to construct a 23,800 sq. ft. addition to an existing 20,000 sq. ft. building.

On motion by Mr. Meakim, seconded by Dr. White, the Board unanimously approved the bills to be paid from the General Fund, the Sewer Fund, the Capital Reserve Fund, and the Waste and Recycling Fund.

On motion by Mr. Meakim, seconded by Dr. White, the Board unanimously approved the final land plan for a 16,000 S.F. day care/education facility with 3,500 S.F. future addition, located at 800 Lawrence Drive, for The ARC of Chester County.  John Drury was present to represent the plan.

On motion by Mr. Meakim, seconded by Dr. White, the Board unanimously approved the final land development plan for a 7,475 S.F. office/warehouse addition located at 207 Carter Drive for Ms. Carol M. Aubert.

On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Mr. Meakim, the Board unanimously approved the final land development plan for a 42,400 S.F. flex building located on Lot 1 – West Goshen Business Park (Andrew Drive) for Andrew's Bridge Associates, L.P.

On motion by Mr. Meakim, seconded by Dr. White, the Board unanimously approved the final land development plan for a 23,025 S.F. office building located on Unit 11 Greenhill Corporate Park for Drury Development. John Drury was present to represent the plan.

On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Mr. Meakim, the Board unanimously approved the final 5-lot residential subdivision plan located at 1209 Grove Road for Perna Brothers, Inc. Robert Perna was available to represent the plan.

On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Mr. Meakim, the Board unanimously approved the final land development plan for a 3,669 S.F. bank located on the northeast corner of Bolmar and East Market Streets for Commerce Bank, N.A. Representatives from Bohler Engineering, Inc. and Commerce Bank were present to represent the plan.

Dr. White opened the floor for public comment

Mr. Finley, as a matter of record, advised the Board that prior to this meeting, a " serious" accident had occurred on Karen Lane at Phoenixville Pike.  

There being no further business, on motion by Mr. Halvorsen, seconded by Mr. Meakim, the meeting was adjourned at 4:28 p.m.

       Respectfully submitted,

       April L. Breniser
       Assistant Township Secretary

West Goshen Township
Supervisor Hearing
August 23, 2000

S-6-00

Supervisor Hearing S-6-00, which was duly advertised, was called to order by Chairman Robert S. White at 4:36 p.m.  Mr. Raymond Halvorsen was absent.

Ronald C. Nagle, Esquire, Township Solicitor, was present to represent the Township.  Michael J. Gavin, Esquire, was present to represent the applicant, Metricom, Inc. The applicant seeks conditional use to locate 16 antennas on the existing 200 foot lattice communication tower, located at 825 Paoli Pike, West Goshen Township, and to install one telecommunications equipment cabinet at the base of the tower on the existing concrete pad, constructed by Omnipoint.

See Court Reporter's Transcript

Upon completion of all available testimony, Mr. Gavin requested a continuance so that he may provide additional testimony from a Licensed FCC Radio Frequency Engineer about the safety of the radio transmission waves to the surrounding communities and from a structural engineer who would discuss the design of the entire project.

The request for a continuance was granted to a date certain of September 27, 2000 at 4:00 p.m.

The hearing adjourned at 6:25 p.m.

Copyright 2005, West Goshen Twp.