MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MARCH 28, 2005
At 7:00 p.m. Chairman Pete Greenberg called to order the Executive Session. In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn, Prousi, Sarosky and Witmer. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Merle Ochrach, Andrea Collins, Eugene McGill, Holly Linsley, Tom Gailey, Phil Wursta, Carol Tukey and Richard Brady. Personnel and potential litigation matters were discussed. The Executive Session adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
The item originally scheduled for the work session was moved to the action meeting.
At 8:10 p.m. Chairman Greenberg called the regular meeting to order. In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn, Prousi, Sarosky and Witmer. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Mike Solomon, Richard Brady, Kevin Costello, Gerald Grover, Monica DeCaro, Andrea Collins, Merle Ochrach, John Chambers, Phil Wursta, Rick Tralies and Deb Rivas.
Representative Eugene McGill presented a check for $12,880 to Police Chief Richard Brady. This check represented the efforts of Rep. McGill and the Montgomery Township Police Department in obtaining a grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development. The police department will be purchasing a radar speed trailer with these funds.
Township Manager John Nagel introduced Carolyn Tukey. Ms. Tukey was appointed unanimously by Resolution #1 and sworn in as the Planning and Economic Development Director effective April 18, 2005.
Merle Ochrach announced that the Board had met in an Executive Session earlier this evening to discuss matters of potential litigation and personnel.
There was no Manager’s Report.
There were no Volunteer Advisory Committee Reports.
Under public comment, Paul Delp of 1100 Lansdale Avenue said that he was concerned when he spotted surveyors in the back of his property and was told by them that Tom Calhoun was building a house on the property behind his. Mr. Delp was further troubled when he learned that the driveway for this property was going to be installed right next to his own driveway. Mr. Delp said he has drainage problems and another driveway will create additional runoff. Mr. Delp also indicated that Lansdale Avenue has become a very busy road in the Township and there are additional safety issues when another driveway is added. Mike Solomon indicated that the plans for this property were currently in review and that he would notify Mr. Delp when the plan comes before the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors so that Mr. Delp can make his concerns known at that time.
Bernie Heinze, President of the Fire Department of Montgomery Township, made an annual report presentation for the fire department. Mr. Heinze highlighted the statistics and many activities of the volunteer force from 2004.
Rich Menno of 109 Kingston Way said that he was speaking on behalf of the Homeowners Association of Kingston Knoll. As the maintenance period is ending for the development, there are several concerns that the HOA would like to see addressed prior to the completion of the maintenance period. Mr. Menno said that there were problems with the landscaping, large puddling at the intersection of County Line Road and Kingston Way, and the detention basin. The Board asked if Mr. Menno had a list of the concerns and asked representatives from Boucher and James and Chambers Associates to take a look at the problems that Mr. Menno brought to the attention of the Board.
John Nagel provided a 202 Parkway update. PennDOT recently informed the Township that it will be communicating an invitation to members of the 202 Working Group for a meeting to further explain and gain concession on the concept. Township staff has also met to identify all rights-of-way along the original corridor to help ensure preservation.
William Cooper of 480 Doylestown Road came before the Board to outline his concerns regarding an ongoing storm water issue from surrounding properties which has created an accelerated erosion problem on his property. Mr. Cooper said that he is concerned about the construction of the new fire station and the W.B. Homes properties as this will generate more water onto his property. Mr. Cooper’s attorney, Doug Blazey, said that Mr. Cooper has retained Robert E. Blue Engineers, who conducted a preliminary inspection and found accelerated erosion. Mr. Blazey stated that they wanted the Board to authorize the Township Engineer to assess and determine if the nine existing basins, five of which are Township owned, are in working condition. It was also noted that during the construction of the Pine Crest development, water was directed from the east side of Doylestown Road and piped under the road to the west side for irrigation for the golf course. John Chambers indicated that his firm could check all nine basins in one day. The Board authorized Mr. Chambers to do so.
A public meeting was held to discuss the proposed Truss Ordinance. Fire Services Director Jerry Grover explained that the ordinance will require emblems be posted on buildings which identify truss construction. Mr. Grover said that such construction can fail under a fire load. The emblems will assist in keeping the firefighters safe. Merle Ochrach also mentioned that the ordinance contained language which would place added responsibility on the property owner that allows the placement of a collection bin on their property. Resolution #2 unanimously approved Ordinance #04-188, the Truss Ordinance.
Kirk Claus presented the plan for Devon Court. Devon Court is proposed to be constructed near the entrance to the Terrace of Montgomery. It will be a 21 unit townhouse development. The applicant was requesting four waivers. The Board requested if the applicant would be willing to offer a fee in lieu of attaching a trail to the proposed 202 multiuse trail. Mr. Claus would have to check with is client, but felt that the request would be acceptable. Resolution #3 unanimously approved the consideration of plan for Devon Court, pending the acceptance of a fee in lieu of the trail.
John Nagel informed that Board that the Township will be having a ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the new fire substation on Doylestown Road. The ceremony had been planned for Wednesday, March 30th, but there was a concern that many of the fire volunteers would be unable to attend due to work commitments. The Board concurred that the ceremony should be moved to a weekend so that the volunteers could attend as well. It was decided that Saturday, April 2nd would be a good date with Sunday, April 3rd as a rain date. (After the Board meeting, the date was subsequentially changed to April 23rd at noon due to scheduling conflicts.)
Richard McBride appeared before the Board to discuss the proposed rezoning of properties at Route 309 and Hartman Road. Mr. McBride was requesting a rezoning hearing be scheduled to allow for the rezoning of the property to a new age restricted development. The Cutler Group and Toll Brothers have gotten together and created a plan that would include a 16 acre park that would be donated to the Township. The Board suggested that sufficient time was needed to review the proposed ordinance. Several residents were present from the Montgomery Oaks development and they had questions about the proposed plan. Mr. McBride offered to meet with the residents to discuss the plan. The residents will also be notified when the public hearing and planning meetings will be held. Jeff Larsen asked how a development could be built next to a quarry. Mr. Larsen said that there should be concerns about dust, lung cancer and more traffic. The Board approved the setting of a date for the rezoning hearing on the consent agenda.
Under the consent agenda, the minutes of meeting for March 14, 2005 and the payment of bills were approved as submitted. Resolution #4 authorized the change orders approval for the fire substation. Resolution #5 awarded the bid for Equipment Rental without Operator to Eagle Power & Equipment. Resolution #6 approved the Autumn Festival solicitation letter. Resolution #7 authorized the Township Manager to advertise for a public hearing for proposed Ordinance #05-195Z - Route 309 & Hartman Road to create an Age Restricted Zoning District for May 9, 2005. Resolution #8 authorized the Township Manager to advertise for a public hearing for proposed Ordinance #05-196Z - Amending Zoning Map for Rezoning of Route 309 & Hartman Road for Age Restricted Development on May 9, 2005. Resolution #9 approved the dedication of right-of-way on Route 202 for the fire substation. All consent agenda resolutions were approved unanimously.
Under other business, Supervisor Kuhn asked the Board to let him know if the Board had any comments or changes to the proposed PSATS resolutions that are to be discussed and voted on at the annual convention.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m.