Resolution #09-12-02-01-Final Adoption of the Phoenixville Regional Comprehensive Plan Consistency Review Report, was approved. Although East Vincent Township Supervisors Funk and Dunphy would like to see East Vincent Township removed from this regional plan, East Vincent must remain with the regional group for one year.
KSK, the planners for the Phoenixville Regional Plan, sent correspondence to the township in regard to a cost proposal for reviewing our zoning ordinance amendment. Supervisor Dunphy; who voted "No" to joining the Phoenixville Regional Plan in February 2008, asked the Phoenixville Regional Planning Commission (PRPC) members present at this meeting, "Who approved the proposal, who authorized KSK to do this?" Mr. Dunphy pointed out that the PRPC did not have their scheduled meeting but hired KSK to draft a proposal of opinions from the PRPC, who had yet to have their scheduled meeting. Supervisor Dunphy wanted to know who approved spending $1,000 on KSK to provide opinions on the zoning ordinance. None of the Phoenixville Regional Plan Committee members answered the question. Chairman Funk stated "It's clear somebody jumped the gun" in allowing KSK to provide recommendations. East Vincent Township Representatives didn't share with the PRPC or KSK the opinions of East Vincent Township for if they had there would have been no reason to hire KSK, as many of the issues addressed by KSK were brought to light at East Vincent Planning Commission meetings, Board of Supervisors' meetings and Public Hearings held in the township. Our township representatives to the Phoenixville Regional Planning Committee are Vice-Chair McNeil and Mrs. Elaine Milito. Clare Quinn, the West Vincent Township Supervisor and PRPC member explained the draft is drawn, goes to the PRPC for approval, disapproval, etc. "KSK develops, then PRPC discusses, as the Phoenixville Regional Planning Commission Members all have jobs, are supervisors, etc. and can't read through all the ordinances." Vice-Chair McNeil said she did bring forth the financial benefits, the developer in mind, etc. to the PRPC.
Chairman Funk had two suggestions for the PRPC: 1. Approve the CCRC text change since East Vincent Township zoning already allows for hospitals, nursing homes, schools, age-restricted community, etc in the LR, MR, and HR districts. The zoning ordinance was merely a "text" change and not really a "use" change. He noted that the PRPC members should know this [EVT Ordinances] so why they said "No" to this ordinance doesn't make any sense to him. Mr. Funk spoke directly to the PRPC member from East Pikeland and said "You have them why can't we? You have two gold geese with the CCRC's in your township." Mr. Strauss replied that "we have them in our growth zone" to which Mr. Funk reminded him about the zoning changes along Route 113. The second suggestion was to get rid of the PRP Planners KSK. Chairman Funk feels having planners who are unfamiliar with our area; such as KSK, don't know the area well enough to understand the needs of the area.
Clare Quinn said PRPC is an advisory group. Stu Cohen, township solicitor, challenged this and said "East Vincent Township can't adopt a change in zoning unless it gets approval [from the PRPC] or we withdraw (Article 17)." Vice-Chair McNeil said "If there is a dispute [between what the municipality wants and what the PRPC wants] we can go through a mediation process but can't adopt without the approval." It was pointed out that township representatives "don't vote in light of the municipality [the decision of the Board of Supervisors] but vote in light of the consistency of the Phoenixville Regional Plan. "Submerge individual municipal plans to the Phoenixville Regional Plan." In other words, the municipality seems to be conforming to the regional plans, and this includes, but is not limited to, assuring residential density zoning and growth areas, for example, are consistent with the Phoenixville Regional Plan and therefore not what is necessarily in the best interest of East Vincent Township (in the opinion of the Informed East Vincent Residents.)
In other matters, Vice-Chair McNeil again presented to Chairman Funk and Supervisor Dunphy a request of $4,500.00 in taxpayer dollars for the Master Plan with East Coventry for the Parkerford Tavern area. After lengthy discussion, Supervisor Dunphy voted "No" and stated "We already spent $35,000 on a Master Plan for the Parker Ford Tavern. Towpath Park is right down the road, has all the facilities and putting money toward this Master Plan during these tough times is redundant. If Towpath Park wasn't already there I would agree to this." Chairman Funk compromised, and agreed to add $5000.00 to the EVT Park and Recreation Budget, in January, for the possibility of getting the PECO Green Energy Grant to have a Master Plan developed.
The 2010 Proposed Budget was adopted and available for review and comment through December 14.
Chief Demski reported that the burglary suspect has been arrested. He also reported that the police budget is down 9%. This is a result of not purchasing a new vehicle (these are routinely replaced every year), the loss of an officer who has not been replaced and the loss of a part-time officer who is deploying for Afghanistan and will not be replaced. There has also been a cut in the operating budget; for example, training. A resident asked if this will affect the availability of officers for emergencies, etc. Chairman Funk responded that many townships don't have their own police force and rely on the State Police. The resident made it clear that he felt spending money on roofs and parks is not as important as spending the money on the security of the residents.
Ordinance #202-Amending Chapter 15, Part 4 General Parking Regulation. A Motion advertising a $25.00 fine for parking along cul-de-sacs and other emergency roads during snow events, therefore impeding the ability for the Roadmaster to clear the roads, was approved.
Resolution #09-12-02-05--Granting Conditional Preliminary and Final Land Development Plan Approval for the Southeastern Veterans Center Expansion, was approved.
All Resolutions for the Open Space Amendment and Acquisition of TDR's for the Shantz Property (located on Bethel Road), were approved.
East Vincent Township residents extend their deepest sympathies to the Holoka Family/Ridge Fire Company and to the Cockerham family.
Please be sure to attend the Public Workshop meeting on Monday, December 14 at 7:00 P.M. in the East Vincent Township Municipal Building located at 262 Ridge Road. The Board of Supervisors will meet with the Planning Commission and the Spring City Borough to discuss the Route 724 corridor and other issues affecting our township. Also, last evening, all three supervisors--- Mr. Funk, Mrs. McNeil and Mr. Dunphy UNANIMOUSLY agreed to vote "yes" on the organic compost site on the Pennhurst grounds. This organic compost site operation was previously approved by the Planning Commission. This vote will take place on Monday, December 14th at the Public Workshop meeting.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have about issues or proposals affecting our township.
Thank You and Have a Nice Day,
The Informed East Vincent Residents Group
http://www.informedeastvincentresidentsgroup.blogspot.com/
informedeastvincentresidents@gmail.com
