Pequea Township

Minutes of the Pequea Township Board of Supervisors meeting held July 15, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Pequea Township Building, 1028 Millwood Road, Willow Street, Pa.

 

Present at the meeting were:   BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

                                                            Virginia K. Brady, Chairperson

                                                            Bruce G. Groff, Vice-Chairman

                                                            Joseph P. Terry, Member

 

Secretary-Treasurer, Patsy Davis

Zoning/Code Officer, Wes Bruckno

Others Present:  Sign-In Sheet Attached

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• The Don Bachman family called to say thank you to those responsible for the wonderful maintenance of the memorial tree planted at the Silver Mine Park.
• Jackie Johns sent a thank you for going to the meeting at the Marriot on July 29.
• Mrs. Kreider, on Newswanger Road, sent a thank you to the road master for the resurfacing.
• We have a CD on Neighborhoods of Lancaster County showing what high density really looks like.  This is available if you would like to view it.  There is a hard copy that will be available.
• There is an update here on the Steam Generator Moving through Pequea Township and will be discussed later in the meeting.

 

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING: Copies of the June 24, 2009 minutes are on the table.  Virginia Brady moved to approve the June 24, 2009 minutes as printed.  Bruce Groff seconded the motion.  All voted in favor, none opposed.

 

SECRETARY TREASURER REPORT:   A copy of the bill list with financial report is on the table.  Virginia Brady moved to approve General Fund Checks #6417 through #6429, Recreation Fund checks #1954 - #1955, and Park Donation Fund check #62.  Bruce Groff seconded the motion.  All voted in favor, none opposed.

 

PUBLIC HEARING - Proposed Amendments to the Text of the Pequea Township Zoning Ordinance – 1992, as amended, to revise regulations in the Steep Slope Conservation District and to delete the Karst Hazard District in its entirety.  A copy of the proposed amendment is on the table.

Submitted into the record are the following:

1. A copy of the Legal Notice appearing in the Lancaster Newspapers on June 29 and July 6, 2009.
2. A copy of the notice that has been posted at the Pequea Township Building.
3. A copy of the Pequea Township Planning Commission review comments made at the January 8, 2009 meeting.  A copy of an additional review by Pequea Township Planning Commission done on May 7, 2009 of the Lancaster County Planning Commission comments of February 24, 2009.
4. A copy of the Lancaster County Planning Commission review comments dated February 24, 2009.
5. A receipt for filing of a copy of the proposed amendment from the Lancaster County Law Library dated June 25, 2009.

Comments from the floor

Harry Lehman:  “I think it’s a good thing we are changing this.  It is just a hindrance to people with the previous steep slope at 10% and I think that Wes has done a good job explaining it to people at the Planning Commission, the EAC and here at the Supervisors meetings.  This just lines us up with DEP at the 25% if I remember.  It keeps it nice and clean.  It saves the applicants a lot of money.  They don’t have to go before the Zoning Hearing Board.  Not only do the applicant’s have to spend money, of course, the Township has to spend money to hold the meeting; pay the solicitor, the stenographer, and the Board members.  I just think it really cleans things up.  I appreciate all Wes’s work on this.”

Comments from the Supervisors

Joseph Terry:  “I fully support these changes.”

Bruce Groff:  “Same here.”

Virginia Brady:  “My only comment is, if you travel south on 272, the grade at the Buck hill, going down hill, is 12%.  That is kind of a steep hill.  So, twice that is a really steep hill.  It’s not my concern what DEP says.  25% is really high.”

Joseph Terry moved to adopt Ordinance #160-2009 to amend the text of the Pequea Township Zoning Ordinance-1992, as amended, to revise regulations in the Steep Slope Conservation District and to delete the Karst Hazard District in its entirety.  Bruce Groff seconded the motion.  When the vote was taken Joseph Terry and Bruce Groff voted yes, in favor.  Virginia Brady voted no, opposed.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Summerfield Development – Virginia Brady addressed the need for an amendment to the Pequea Township Zoning Ordinance text for a Neighborhood Development extension of time granted by the Board of Supervisors.  Under the current regulations only one (1) time extension is permitted.  Summerfield Development has received one (1) time extension that will expire on Nov. 15, 2009. In order to grant another extension the Supervisors must agree to amend that text.  Bruce Groff presented a synopsis of the Summerfield history and the reasons for the developers request made for time extensions.   Wes Bruckno presented a review of Summerfield history and options for a decision.  “You may decide to grant one extension or four extensions at your discretion.  Many Townships allow that.”  Mr. Bruckno offered to draft the text amendment for review at the 8/6/09 Pequea Township Planning Commission meeting and the Lancaster County Planning Commission meeting.  Bruce Groff moved to authorize Wes Bruckno to draft the text amendment to grant time extensions at the discretion of the Supervisors and to coordinate that effort with Bill Crosswell and coordinate reviews by the Pequea Township Planning Commission and the Lancaster County Planning Commission.  Joseph Terry seconded the motion.  All voted in favor, none opposed.
2. Personnel Evaluation – Joseph Terry reported that several forms were obtained and distributed to the Supervisors.  Bruce Groff requested to come up with an evaluation form as those sample forms did not seem appropriate.  Joseph Terry moved to have the Roadmaster compile a form for employee evaluation by August 1 and to complete evaluations by August 19.  Bruce Groff seconded the motion.  All voted in favor, none opposed.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Computer Use Policy – Internet Policy – Cell Phone Use Policy – Joseph Terry reported that sample policies were obtained and distributed to the Supervisors.  Virginia Brady moved to have Patsy Davis work on a policy for computer, internet and cell phone use.  Bruce Groff seconded the motion.  All voted in favor, none opposed.
2. Steam Generator – The move will impact four (4) traffic signals in Pequea Township.  PIRMA, the township insurer, is requiring an agreement, bond, and a certificate of additional insured be issued to Pequea Township from AREVA and suggested  that these documents be reviewed by the township solicitor.  Virginia Brady moved to require an agreement, bond, and a certificate of additional insured from AREVA, and to have the township solicitor review the documents.  Joseph Terry seconded the motion.  All voted in favor, none opposed.  Pat Davis, secretary, has made phone calls to the noted contacts to find out if the documents will be sent to Pequea Township.

 

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

Roadcrew - Work report on file.

Zoning/Code Officer – Work report on file.

Legal Liaison – Virginia Brady reported speaking with Mr. Crosswell one time on Summerfield, for the information tonight.

Southern Regional Police Dept. – Work reports and Police Commission meeting minutes are available on the table. Officer Diane Carter read the June report.  Bruce Groff announced that Patty Davis will have Chicken BBQ tickets for sale for the K-9 Unit.  The Police Dept. will soon have a website for residents.  Off. Ryan Lawrence has left a Public Newsletter on the table for residents.

 

ADVISORY BOARD REPORTS:

     Minutes of the advisory board’s are available on the table.

Pequea Township Planning Commission – Meeting held July 2, 2009.

Pequea Township Park & Recreation Board – Meeting held July 8, 2009.

Harry Lehman reported that he raised funds for the handicapped uses in the Park Donation Fund.  He would like permission to use that money to build a platform and shelter for the porta potty.  Virginia Brady moved to approve the handicapped funds be used to build a platform and shelter for a porta potty.  Bruce Groff seconded the motion.  All voted in favor, none opposed.

Pequea Township EAC – Next meeting August 11, 2009.

Lancaster Inter-Municipal Committee – Virginia Brady – At the July 8 meeting, Radon Ordinances were discussed.  Pequea Township is far ahead on this as we developed ours at least ten years ago. Members and guests had an opportunity to tour the Convention Center and attend the annual dinner meeting at the Marriott on July 29. 

Lancaster County Planning Commission – Virginia Brady reported discussing Summerfield.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

• Virginia Brady pointed out the information in today’s newspaper article was incorrect.  Mr. Engle will make corrections.
• Joseph Terry reported that he cannot attend the Southern Lancaster County Inter-Municipal Council meeting scheduled next Tuesday.  Virginia Brady will attend.

 

MEETING ADJOURNED:  Having no further business the meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Patsy L. Davis, Secretary

 

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