The proposed zoning amendment to allow for a composting facility was discussed at length last evening at the Public Hearing previous to the Board of Supervisors' meeting. Access roads to the facility include Church Street, Pennhurst and Brown Drive. James Burns of the Spring City Borough has "no objections to the organic composting operation at Pennhurst," but is concerned with commercial access and stated "the Borough could impose weight limits for trucks using Church Street to limit using this road as an access point." Todd Bereda of the East Vincent Township Planning Commission reiterated that the Planning Commissions' fears about this operation were alleviated upon a site visit to the Yost Organic Composting Operation. He also stated that he "appreciates each municipality having a voice but is concerned that a private business can be dictated to in regard to access. These are the same roadways the National Guard goes over; roadways we all pay for and that are state roads also." The size of the trucks coming in and out of the facility were described as landscaping-type vehicles and pick-up trucks. The organic composting operation would be closed on Sunday (unless there were an emergency such as downed trees) and would sell to local residents, landscapers and garden shops. The owner assured the Board that no animal carcasses will be allowed. Only yard waste (i.e. leaves, branches), pre-consumer waste (i.e. corn husks) and post-consumer waste ( i.e. bits of hamburger, fruits, etc.) would be permitted in the organic composting. The chipper would be used 5-6 1/2 times weekly. If the organic compost is not marketable the company is in violation of the DEP Permit and the product will have to be hauled away in a container. Any complaints to the DEP are responded to within one day and it's in the best interests of the organic compost company to operate this facility properly to produce a marketable product and assure there is no odor. If this amendment passes, other areas where an operation of this nature may occur include Armory Drive, the Solty's Tract and the Ruth Tract. Residents expressed concerns about traffic, the ability of vehicles to maneuver on these roads and concern for the safety of veterans who often walk to the CVS on these roads. A petition was turned over to the Board of Supervisors by those who are against this facility. One resident who lives in the area stated his support for the organic composting operation.
The Board approved the purchase of 25 transferable development rights (TDR) at 710 West Seven Stars Road at the cost of $817,300.00 Open Space dollars.
The Board also approved the purchase of 41 transfer of development rights (TDR) at the Schantz Farm located at Brownback's Church Road and Bethel Road for $1,047,796.00 Open Space dollars.
Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) are used to preserve land deemed worthy of saving in order to send development where deemed appropriate. All residents pay .33% of their tax dollars toward open space, presently all the open space monies have gone south of the PECO power lines with the exception of a tiny bit used in administrative costs when the State gave us the 82 acres at Pennhurst to EVT as part of the agreement of sale with the owner of Pennhurst.
East Vincent still has a surplus of $179,000.00 but we are down in revenue by $49,000.00. Township Manager Mary Flagg stated she "hopes we may come even by years end." Property assessments are coming down and therefore the tax revenue is also down. Chairman Funk stated the township may have to look into raising taxes, finding revenue sources and ask that the school district look at their budget ( a large portion of our tax dollars goes to the Owen J. Roberts School District).
The Approval to Advertise the Phoenixville Regional Planning Committee Final Consistency Review Report Acceptance was not approved. Chairman Funk made a motion directing our Township Solicitor to provide us with the necessary information needed to withdraw from the Phoenixville Regional Plan. Supervisor Dunphy seconded this motion. Chairman Funk stated his reasons as "the plan being more trouble than it's worth." He stated that "the Board voted for an amendment to our zoning and our representative (Vice-Chair McNeil) voted against the Boards' decision" (and therefore not in accordance with the Boards' decision). Supervisor Dunphy stated he agrees with regional planning but feels our township would be better served working within our school district and not Phoenixville and Great Valley's School Districts. He doesn't feel we should allow Phoenixville and Charlestown Townships to dictate our planning. He stated that "the TDR issue is complex and when you talk about any use in the township you have to keep in mind you can't do density without TDR's. This is not just about a CCRC issue." Vice-Chair McNeil said the only townships included in the Pottstown Regional Plan are East Coventry and North Coventry. She feels we've spent eight years on the Phoenixville Regional Plan and since it's in Chester County we should stay with it. She also said that the Phoenixville Regional Planning Commission is not against a CCRC in East Vincent Township but would like to see it in the mixed-use district. Vice-Chair McNeil also stated that regional TDR's may soon be an option. This means TDR's can transfer from one municipality to another. In other words, development can be sent from one township to the other. Presently, as one IEVR stated, East Vincent Township appears to have the most available mixed-use, commercial and industrial lands available in the entire Phoenixville Planning Region.
In regard to the CCRC issue, IEVR would like to remind the readers that the land known as the Latshaw tract is in a sending area for TDR's. Therefore, the owner of this land (who initially wanted a CCRC on the Latshaw tract---and Mrs. McNeil felt was a "worth looking into," and IEVR would like to stress that this area is in a sending area and the Stoney Run Watershed), can buy TDR's from the township if he so chooses and then send the development to a receiving area. The size of the development will depend on how many TDR's are available to the developer. Presently, East Vincent Township has not retired the TDR's but is "banking" them. Simply put, the more you have in the "bank," the more opportunity for development north of the PECO power lines where the receiving areas exist. Supervisor Dunphy has repeatedly stated he would like the Board of Supervisors' and Planning Commission to look at our zoning in a holistic way, along with the Rt. 724 Corridor and TDR's, to determine the best approach to development in our township. He would like our residents and appointed/elected officials to make this determination; not just an outside advisory board such as the Phoenixville Regional Plan.
Ms. Flagg stated that there is virtually no revenue from development in the long run; to educate costs more money than a homeowner pays in taxes to the township. Single-family homes raise costs and raise taxes. The question is how can East Vincent Township mitigate the contribution to the Owen J. Roberts School District (for the taxpayer)?
A resident from West Bridge Street requested that the Board "look at all the unintended consequences of certain development and make sure the Township gets the type of revenue it's looking for."
Chairman Funk and Supervisor Dunphy voted "no" to spending $4,500 of taxpayer dollars for a Master Plan with East Coventry for the Schuylkill River Heritage Trail area. Vice-Chair McNeil feels we can get a PECO Green Energy Grant to offset costs. Chairman Funk feels the County should take the lead in this and Supervisor Dunphy stated that "we already have our hands full. We have the Reiff Park to plan for, and the 82 acres at Pennhurst to plan for, so let's finish what we have before spending more money on another plan."
The request for $1,000 donation to French and Pickering Creek is under advisement at this time.
Chief Demski reported there were two burglaries in the area; one in Barton Meadows and another on Brownback's Church Road. It's possible these homes were targeted specifically. The suspect is known but has not been found. In a separate incident, a burglar who broke into a home on Clover Hill Road, was caught.
During Public Comment, one resident mentioned that the Memorial at Pennhurst looks nice. He also asked what kind of camera was used to take the photos of the restoration of the Parkerford Tavern. He felt the cost of the pictures at $1,100 was a lot of money for what the Township received.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have about any proposals or issues affecting our township.
Thank You and Have A Nice day,
The Informed East Vincent Residents Group
http://www.informedeastvincentresidents.blogspot.com/
informedeastvincentresidents@gmail.com
