This week both the East Vincent Township Planning Commission and the East Vincent Board of Supervisors' meetings were held.
A proposed zoning amendment was presented for the Pennhurst property. The proposed amendment would allow an organic composting operation on Pennhurst grounds presently zoned Light Residential. The Applicant is requesting an amendment to allow for the composting of organic material on the site. Residents located near the proposed site expressed concerns regarding animal products being brought to the site for composting, odor, traffic speed, size and amount of vehicles coming and going from the compost site, operation hours, possible health hazards, the impact on the veterans residing at the Veteran's center, the possible implications for other Light Residential areas having 50 acres or more becoming another site for composting and the effect this organic compost process would have on the structural integrity and safety of the buildings on the Pennhurst grounds.
The Applicant addressed the residents' concerns and made note that both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Environmental Protection both support "green business" which includes organic composting. Composting is not a mulching operation. The goal is to keep organic material out of the landfills and put these organic materials to good use in the region. The DEP also has no problem with this site being used for the operation. Although this would be a commercial operation, residents would be notified of days when they can bring their yard waste to the site and may return to purchase the organic compost for their own use. The Applicant is also willing to make substantive changes to the DEP's definition of composting to alleviate some concerns residents may have.
John Hoekstra, member of the East Vincent Environmental Advisory Board (EAC) said the EAC was overly supportive of the idea. Mr. Hoekstra stated that the use of Static Pile Aeration, the method proposed by the Applicant, has been proven successful in creating compost and controlling the smell. He expressed some concern over the use of animal waste, and said "this can be tricky but can be done."
Another resident requested a traffic study be completed on Brown Drive and Old Schuylkill Road in light of the possibility of this compost operation. (Supervisor Dunphy was thanked by this resident for taking her concerns to the police and sending Chief Demski out to see her. Chief Demski and Darwin Schaeffer will work on resolving issues affecting the traffic in that area.)
The Applicant made it clear that the DEP takes an active stance in regulating composting sites. The Applicant MUST operate the business in accordance with the DEP.
A multi-municipal consistency review involving the Phoenixville Regional Planning Committee and the Northern Federation Task Force will be compiled and sent to East Vincent Townships' Environmental Advisory Committee for review. A formal letter will then be written by the EAC to best address the protection of our natural areas.
Chief Demski is asking that all residents lock their doors. There was a burglary in a local large development recently while the family slept. The "cat burglar" often enters the home between 3-5 a.m. Anyone seeing suspicious activity, especially at these hours, should contact the police immediately. Also, it is the season for "Click It or Ticket." Buckle up!
Paul Bucco returned to the Board of Supervisors' last evening to put in an application to allow for independent units in the Light Residential district. The ordinance presently allows for nursing and assisted living facilities in the LR district. Mr. Bucco would like this amendment for use on the Ruth tract. The Ruth Tract is located on Stoney Run Road across from Kolb's meat store.
Thank you to the Historical Commission for creating the Atlas Project for the County.
In an issue separate from the organic composting operation, the owner of the Pennhurst property mentioned that when he settled with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, he made land available to the township. He stated that the left portion of Pennhurst is to be dedicated to the township. Mrs. Christine McNeil made it publicly clear that she and Chairman John Funk convinced Sen. Dinniman to provide the township with that land. Mrs. McNeil and Mr. Funk together met with Sen. Dinniman to get him to commit to following through with giving the township the 79.521+/- acres.
Chairman Funk and Vice-Chair McNeil both agreed to spend another $7,000 in taxpayer dollars on the Parker Ford Tavern renovation. Mrs. McNeil said we could get the money by asking the Historical Commission to give $3,000 from their budget and the other $4,000 can come from somewhere in the township budget. One resident asked why if revenues are down why are we spending more money on the tavern? The resident also asked if the $220,000 budget for the Parker Ford Tavern included the $23,000 spent on the architect. Vice-Chair McNeil said "yes." The Informed East Vincent Residents do not believe this is an honest response. Mr. Funk stated that $7,000 is not a lot of money, although he understands it's taxpayer dollars. He also felt that in order to produce a more authentic restoration, it is important to spend more money to cut into the wood (scarfing) than to cover the authentic wood by "scabbing." Supervisor Dunphy, who voted "no" to authorizing more money for this restoration on the basis that the Parker Ford Tavern should be in the hands of a private entity (a 501 C 3, for example) so the taxpayer isn't burdened with the cost, asked why no contingency was put in place. Vice-Chair McNeil stated that when dealing with a restoration things change under the process of discovery. Supervisor Dunphy feels that the Architect Frens and Frens should be responsible for paying the $7,000 as they did the original assessment and should have added in a contingency for such situations.
Another resident stated that with the downturn in the economy, people losing their jobs and a tightening budget, the symbolism of spending more money on this historic restoration is the issue. He also made it clear that any money from the Historic Commissions' budget is money taken from the East Vincent Township taxpayer. Money taken from the budget is taxpayer dollars. Finally, another resident reminded Chairman Funk the he vowed to NEVER use anymore taxpayer dollars on the Parker Ford Tavern and now he has reversed course. She would like to know at what point will taxpayer dollars stop being put into this building.
Please continue to read below the following blog dated Wednesday, May 13 for information pertaining to East Vincent Township Board of Supervisors' candidates.
