WHITEMARSH TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES A Regular Monthly Meeting of the Whitemarsh Township Board of Supervisors was called to order on Thursday at 7:00PM in the Whitemarsh Township Building, 616 Germantown Pike Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania. Supervisors Present: Amy Grossman, Chair; Missy Sterling, Vice Chair; Michael Drossner; Laura Boyle Nester and James A. Totten Also present: Richard L. Mellor, Jr., Township Manager; Sean Kilkenny, Township Solicitor and Charles L. Guttenplan, AICP. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ANNOUNCEMENTS Supervisor Sterling announced: The Township is asking residents to join Township staff and consultants from Bergmann Associates on Tuesday, October 3 at 7 PM at the Barren Hill Fire Company at the Comprehensive Plan Update Public Meeting to discuss and share your ideas and visions about future development and open space in Whitemarsh Township. The Comprehensive Plan is a policy guide for future development for the Township. It is a crucial document to guide recommendations and decisions of the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors, as well as for decisions made by private developers, Township businesses and residents. More information on the Comprehensive Plan Update is available on the Township website. The Fall Shredding Day is scheduled for Saturday, October 14 from 8 am to Noon at the Miles Park lower parking lot. This is a free event thanks to the sponsorship of Horizon Waste Services, but donations are appreciated to benefit the Barren Hill Fire Company and the Township Parks & Recreation Department. The Fall Electronics Collection is scheduled for Wednesday, October 18. Residents are asked to leave electronics out on the front curb next to the yard waste for the Township Public Works crew to pick up. Do not leave out electronics for pick up earlier than Tuesday night. All electronics for pick up must be out by 6 AM on the collection date. Introduction of New Police Officers and Police Department Recognitions Chief Ward introduced Officer Caleb MacMain he stated Officer MacMain joined the Whitemarsh Township Police Department on Tuesday, September 5, 2017. Judge Deborah Lukens performed a ceremonial swearing in and Officer MacMain was introduced to the Board of Supervisors. Chief Ward introduced Officer Robert G. Bates, Jr. he stated Officer Bates was hired on November 1 of 2016. Due too many issues Officer Bates was never given a ceremonial swearing in, and the Chief wanted to take the opportunity to introduce Officer Bates to the Board of Supervisors. Lieutenant Nowak presented the following commendations:
2 Citizen Commendation for Denise Caramenico On March 2, 2017 Mrs. Caramenico was working in her store, Floral Sampler, in the 500 block of Germantown Pike, when she observed suspicious activity involving the Santander Bank, which is across the street from the flower shop. Mrs. Caramenico realized that two males had dropped off a female, who appeared to be in disguise, at the bank and had parked across the street, backed in to observe the bank. Mrs. Caramenico called 911 and reported this activity. She stayed on the line and provided descriptive information to the responding officers. Investigation revealed that the trio was attempting to pass fraudulent checks for thousands of dollars and had done so at other locations in the area. Mrs., Caramenico's observations and willingness to react resulted in the arrest of three felons. Lifesaving Commendation for Officer Stephen Kerns and Officer Robert Bates Officer Kerns and Officer Bates were dispatched to a medical emergency in a vehicle on Butler Pike at Cardinal Drive on July 1, 2017. Arriving on scene the officers found a female in Cardiac Arrest in the vehicle. After removing the female from the vehicle, the officers performed CPR and utilized an AED to treat the victim. EMS arrived and took over care and transport to a local hospital. The female walked out of the hospital and returned to work two weeks later. The quick Lifesaving actions and teamwork of Officer Kerns and Officer Bates made a difference that day and directly resulted in the survival of the patient. Lieutenant Keenan presented the following commendation: Lifesaving Commendation for Corporal Michael Burton Corporal Burton was dispatched to Andorra Glen Court for a medical emergency on April 13, 2017. Arriving on Scene the corporal found a male in Cardiac Arrest lying on the floor of his apartment. The corporal utilized the AED to administer one shock to the patient and then administered CPR until the ambulance arrived. The ambulance member continued care and the patient regained consciousness and was responsive prior to being transported to the hospital. The quick Lifesaving actions of Corporal Burton made a difference that day and directly resulted in the survival of the patient. Chief Ward made the following recognitions: Recognition of Christopher Zolko and the Zolko Family for the Tree Donation in Chief Richard A. Zolko's Memory Richard A. Zolko was a police officer in Whitemarsh Township for 37 years, serving from 1965 until the time of his death in 2002. After serving as a patrolman, a detective and a Lieutenant, Chief Zolko served 22 years as the Chief of Police. Chief Zolko was recognized locally and statewide for his progressive thinking and the advancements that he made not only in Whitemarsh Township, but across Montgomery County and the State of Pennsylvania. Chief Zolko was posthumously inducted into the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in January of 2003. Chief Zolko's youngest son, Christopher, on behalf of his family, has personally planted the Princeton Elm that is now located on the island next to the Police parking area. We will be placing a plaque at this location as soon as it arrives.
3 The following officers are being recognized lifesaving actions directly related to the administration of Narcan to reverse Opioid Overdoses in Whitemarsh Township since March of 2016: Corporal Wilhelm, Officer Galie, Officer T. Burton, Sergeant Mack, Sergeant Johnson, Officer Householder, Officer Cooney, Sergeant Swan and Corporal Burton, Officer Mundy and Officer Bates. PUBLIC HEARINGS None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. September 14, 2017 On a motion by Supervisor Nester, seconded by Supervisor Sterling (Vote 5-0) the Board of Supervisors approved the September 14, 2017 meeting minutes. BOARD PUBLIC DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Review SLD #02-16; S.J. Paone Development, Inc. - Maple Hill/ 3047 Spring Mill Road Conditional Final Plan Mr. Guttenplan explained SLD #02-16, the Final Plan for 'Maple Hill' by Phipps Station Group, LLC (Paone Builders) is for the property at 3047 Spring Mill Road consisting of 10.5+ acres. The plan also includes 3037 Spring Mill Road; the property extends from Spring Mill Road to Butler Pike. The subdivision is proposed using the Conservation Design Overlay District standards in the Zoning Ordinance; the site is also within the Plymouth Meeting Historic District (the three existing homes and other structures have historic significance, especially the home of the late Dr. Joseph Corson, on Spring Mill Road). The Final Plan proposes 21 lots as did the Preliminary Plan and is otherwise consistent with the Preliminary Plan. Three lots contain the three existing homes, one of which is on Butler Pike; a fourth lot contains the barn originally associated with Dr. Corson's home, which is to be converted to a home, or to be combined with the lot on which Dr. Corson's house is located and kept as an accessory building; and the 17 additional lots are vacant, each to be developed with a new home. The Planning Commission reviewed this application at after a brief discussion and some comments by neighbors, the Commission passed a motion recommending approval of the Final Plan, conditioned upon the Plan including bollards and a chain where the emergency access drive connects to Cardinal Drive. Supervisor Drossner asked if the bollards are to prevent thru traffic from Cardinal Drive to the new development. Mr. Guttenplan agreed and clarified it will not look like a road; it will be grass pavers, regardless of the ability of it to be an emergency access. There was a discussion about notifying local residents that there is no access from Cardinal Drive and stormwater management. Resolutions 1. SLD #02-16; S.J. Paone Development, Inc. - Maple Hill/ 3047 Spring Mill Road Conditional Final Plan
4 Supervisors adopted Resolution #2017-25 granting conditional Final Plan approval for SLD#02-16; Paone- Maple Hill/3047 Spring Mill Road for a new 21-lot single-family conservation design subdivision. ACTION ITEMS Ordinances 1. No Parking Germantown Pike between Mayflower Road and Alden Road Mr. Mellor explained the Traffic Safety Unit received a written request from the residents of 102 and 104 Germantown Pike to evaluate the location for safety issues while exiting their private driveway. He said the residents are requesting amending the current ordinance from "No Parking 7am to 6pm, except Saturday and Sunday" to "No Parking Anytime". They cite the reason for their concerns is they do not have proper sight distance looking left out of their driveway due to declining pitch of the roadway for eastbound traffic approaching their driveway. The issue becomes increasingly worse when vehicles park on the shoulder in front of their residence. In response to the complaint the Traffic Safety Unit did survey the location to determine if there were any safety issues. The Traffic Safety Unit does agree that due to the topography of the roadway and vehicles parking on the shoulder this does create sight issue for vehicles exiting the driveway of 102/104 Germantown Pike. Therefore the Traffic Safety Unit is recommending changing the current ordinance of "No Parking 7am to 6pm, except Saturday and Sunday" to "No Parking Anytime" from the property line of Mayflower Road to Alden Road. This will improve sight distance for vehicles exiting the driveway of 102/104 Germantown Pike. On a motion by Supervisor Drossner, second by Supervisor Totten (Vote 5-0) the Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance #979 amending the Whitemarsh Township Code Chapter 111, Vehicles and Traffic, Article III, Parking Regulations to install No Parking sign on Germantown Pike between Mayflower Road and Alden Road. 2. Ordinance Amendment Media Communication Advisory Board Mr. Mellor explained the current members of the Media Communication Advisory Board Amendment (MCAB) voiced concerns over the number of vacancies on the MCAB. The group asked whether MCAB even needed 7 members to function and discussed that with the small group, they seemed to be functioning well and efficient. They then made a motion to recommend reducing the MCAB members from 7 to 5. Supervisors adopted Ordinance #980 amending the Whitemarsh Township Code Section 3-53.3.B.(1) reducing the number of members of the Media Communications Advisory Board from seven to five. Resolutions Motions 1. Public Hearing Zoning Text Amendment in the AD Attached Dwelling District
5 Mr. Guttenplan explained this is a request to authorize a Public Hearing for a Zoning Text Amendment; the applicant is Phipps Station Group, LLC (Paone Builders). The amendment resulted from the Whitemarsh Station' development at 5130 and 5136 Butler Pike, the zero-lot-line single-family development being built by Paone Builders under the AD Attached Dwelling District standards that were added for this development type in 2014. The amendment is to allow decks as close as 8 feet to the property line. Several decks were designed or built in violation of the current standard for deck encroachment in the rear yard; the current Zoning Ordinance allows a deck to encroach half the depth of the required rear yard. For this development, the minimum required rear yard is 20' so the decks can only be 10' deep on homes that have a rear yard with this minimum depth. The Zoning Hearing Board recently granted variances for 4 decks that are 12' deep for homes with 20' deep rear yards. Rather than continue to handle this issue with multiple variances, staff and Zoning Hearing Board felt it would be more appropriate to amend the Zoning Ordinance to allow for a reasonable depth deck on the homes in this or future developments that might be built under these AD standards. Should the Board authorize a Public Hearing, the specific language of this text amendment will be brought back to the Planning Commission for review and a recommendation made prior to the scheduled hearing. The Planning Commission reviewed this application the Commission passed a motion recommending that the Board authorize the advertisement of a Public Hearing. The Supervisors and Mr. Guttenplan discussed their concerns and ideas for the text amendment, in conjunction with the new Comprehensive Plan. Supervisors authorized a public hearing for a zoning text amendment to the AD-Attached Dwelling District allowing deck encroachments in rear yards of zero lot line developments. 2. Ordinance Advertisement - Multi-Municipal Agreement Recycling Performance Grant Mr. Mellor explained Whitemarsh Township has contracted with Hough Associates since 2008 to coordinate the submission of the annual DEP 904 Recycling Performance with Plymouth Township, Upper Dublin Township and Whitpain Township as joint applicants in order to maximize the grant award available. In doing so, Whitemarsh Township has received an average additional grant award of almost $12,000 per year over the last four years as a result of the joint application. This method of grant application has been very beneficial to all four municipalities involved in the joint application. In the past year, DEP has updated provisions of the grant application requiring that municipalities that submit joint applications must have a multi-municipal agreement in place. In working with Hough Associates along with Plymouth, Upper Dublin and Whitpain Townships, staff representatives of the four municipalities drafted a Multi-Municipal Agreement, which has been reviewed by their respective solicitors. The agreement is for three years with the option to renew from year to year thereafter. Supervisors authorized the advertisement for a multi-municipal agreement for the submission of the Township s Recycling Performance Grant. 3. Escrow Release No. 1; $114,576.84 - DJB Properties, LLC/737 Spring Mill Avenue On a motion by Supervisor Sterling, second by Supervisor Drossner (Vote 5-0) the Board of Supervisors authorized escrow release #1 for DJB Properties, LLC/737 Spring Mill Avenue in the amount of $114,576.84.
6 8. August 2017 Expenditures and Payroll and Pension Plan Paid Costs On a motion by Supervisor Drossner, second by Supervisor Sterling (Vote 5-0) the Board of Supervisors approved expenditures totaling $1,305,644.20; payroll totaling $635,918.38 and pension paid costs totaling $6,018.01 for August 2017. AMEND AGENDA On a motion by Supervisor Drossner, second by Supervisor Nester (Vote 5-0) the Board of Supervisors amended the agenda for additional action item. 9. Volunteer Resignation On a motion by Supervisor Sterling, second by Supervisor Totten (Vote 5-0) the Board of Supervisors accepted the resignation of James Hoban from the Planning Commission and thank Jim for his volunteer service to the Whitemarsh Township. 10. Sewer Planning Module - Holman Automotive, LLC/426,428, 432 Pennsylvania Avenue On a motion by Supervisor Sterling, second by Supervisor Totten (Vote 5-0) the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution #2017-33 authorizing the submission of a sewer facilities planning modular for SLD#09-16; Holman Automotive, LLC/426,428, 432 Pennsylvania Avenue. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD None BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS Supervisor Totten asked when the leaf collection would begin. Mr. Mellor stated Monday, October 16. He stated the Public Works Department tries to get to each road once a week and to leave the leaves at the curb, do not put it in biodegradable bags. ANNOUNCE EXECUTIVE SESSION Chair Grossman announced the Board of Supervisors did not hold an Executive Session. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Supervisor Drossner, seconded by Supervisor Sterling, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM. Respectfully submitted, Richard L. Mellor, Jr. Township Manager