WARWICK TOWNSHIP

Board of Supervisors’ Public Meeting Minutes

November 15, 2004

 

 

 

Members Present:          Judith A. Algeo, Chair                            

                                    Edward P. Thompson, Vice Chairman                  

                                    Bert Parrish, Member

 

Others Present:              Gail Weniger, Township Manager

                           Mary Eberle, Township Solicitor (until 7:30)

           

 

n        CALL TO ORDER:

 

The Warwick Township Board of Supervisors’ November 15, 2004 public meeting, held at the Warwick Township Administration Office, 1733 Township Greene, Jamison, PA., was called to order at 7:03 p.m., by Chair, Judith Algeo.  Ms. Algeo then led attendees in the pledge of allegiance.

 

n        EXECUTIVE SESSION:

           

            Chair Algeo reported that the Board of Supervisors had met in Executive Session prior to this evening’s meeting to discuss matters of open space and personnel.     

 

n        CITIZENS COMMENTS:   There were no Citizens Comments.

                       

n        SOLICITOR’S REPORT:             

 

_ Adjudication for Ridings at Warwick (tmp 51-3-144, 51-10-79-1, 51-12-39, 51-13-39-1,        51-17-4 & 51-17-6-1)  (exhibit)

 

            Mary Eberle, Township Solicitor, Presented the adjudication, noting that she will forward the adjudication to the Township Manager.

 

Motion by Mr. Thompson to Approve the Conditional Use application for the Ridings at Warwick project with the following conditions:

            1.  The subdivision and land development plan submitted in accordance with this approval must reflect the same layout of the lots as shown on the plan presented at the Conditional Use hearing as Exhibit A-4  

            2.  The area of mature trees between the tracts identified as Bucks County Tax Map Parcel No. 51-3-143.2 (Township Property) and Parcel No. 51-13-39-2 (Schlosser property) must be included in the open space area.  The Township Engineer shall confirm that reserving an open space area 900' from Dark Hollow Road

is sufficient to preserve the entire area of mature trees.  If necessary, this open space area shall be expanded to include the full area of mature trees.  In no event shall the area preserved be less than 900' from Dark Hollow Road.

            3.  The Developer shall provide a fee-in-lieu of active open space in the amount of $232,500.00.  This figure was calculated by using the formula established at Section 195.61 (2) and based on a fair market value of $50,000.00 per acre.

            4.  The open space areas in this development shall be dedicated to the Township.

 

 

November 15, 2004

page 2 of three pages

 

 

            5.  The Applicant shall construct a bituminous trail system from Dark Hollow Road through the development.  This path shall include a section along the rear of lots 40, 41 and 42 to allow for the construction of the trail which allows access between the two major open space areas.  A 20' easement should be provided

for construction of the trail and equestrian trail required below.  The plan shall be revised to show a 40' easement along the rear of Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4 to allow sufficient

area for both a bituminous trail and landscaping (trees and shrubbery) which provides a visual barrier along Dark Hollow Road.

            6.  The existing trail system along Dark Hollow Road shall be relocated out of the road right-of-way and placed to the rear of Lots 61 and 62.

            7.  Any land development plans submitted for the property shall prevent through traffic from Rushland to Dark Hollow Road by constructing that part of the road which crosses the stream in such a manner as to limit access to pedestrian and emergency vehicle traffic.

            8.  The Applicant shall include in the open space area that portion of the rear of Lot 8 which consists mainly of steep slopes.

            9.  The Applicant shall provide landscaping along the rear of Lots 61 and 62 to the satisfaction of the Township Board of Supervisors in order to protect the properties across Dark Hollow Road from the glare of house lights and car lights.  

            10.  The Applicant shall provide a bituminous trail designed to encircle the entire Property and available for use by all Township residents.

            11.  The Applicant shall provide a defined equestrian trail from Rushland Road, along the rear of Lots 40, 41, and 42 to Dark Hollow Road and the equestrian trail established as part of the equestrian trail established as part of the Estates of Dark Hollow development.  The equestrian trail shall be created through the use of signage and brush clearing.

            12.  The Applicant shall widen Watson Road to an additional half width of 8' along the portion of the Property which has frontage on Watson Road.  Said improvements will be addressed to the satisfaction of the Township Engineer upon review of the Applicant’s preliminary plan.

            13.  The Applicant shall provide the neighboring property owners with at least seven (7) days’ notice of the Township Planning Commission’s review of the preliminary plan, and shall meet with the interested residents in advance of the first meeting of the Planning Commission at which the subdivision and land development plan is reviewed.

            14.  All utilities on the Development, including those on Dark Hollow Road along the frontage of the Property shall be located underground.

            15.  The Applicant shall use its best efforts to have propane gas service extended to the residents of the adjacent development.

            16.  No detention basins shall be located on building lots.  Detention basins shall be located in the open space areas, but the area devoted to the basin shall not be included in the acreage used to meet the 50% open space requirements.

            17.  At the time of land development approval, the Applicant shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Township Engineer that the environmental features, especially steep slopes and agricultural soils are being preserved as required by the Zoning Ordinance.

Second to motion by Mr. Parrish. 

 

            Chair Algeo invited comment or discussion.  There being none, the vote was called.

 

Motion passed unanimously.

 

 

 

 

 

November 15, 2004

page 3 of three pages

 

 

n        MANAGER’S REPORT:

 

_ Preliminary Budget 2005 (exhibit)

 

            A power point presentation accompanied the 2005 Budget and Fiscal message.  Gail Weniger, Township Manager, summarized the Township’s financial position, reviewed  and measured 2004 goals, and introduced 2005 goals.  The General fund budget was reviewed.  Ned Thompson noted that the tub grinder that was included in the budget should be removed, as the Board has decided to reverse its interest in accepting the DEP grant.  After brief discussion among Board members, comment was solicited from the audience.  None were given. 

Motion by Mr. Thompson to remove line item 351.020 and line item 426.100 from the draft budget. 

Second to motion by Mr. Parrish.

 

            Chair Algeo invited comment or discussion.  There being none, the vote was called.

 

Motion passed unanimously.

 

            The general fund budget was discussed, along with trends and detailed line items of note were highlighted.  Audience participation included periodic comments and questions.  Next the Park and Recreation budget and the other Township budgets were reviewed.  The capital projects were reviewed at this time as well, noting that the detailed discussion took place at the last Board meeting.

 

            At the conclusion of the presentation, the individual Board members and residents asked specific questions or asked for procedural clarifications.  The summary of the Budget was given, emphasizing the only tax hike being the electoral debt tax.

 

Motion by Mr. Thompson to authorize advertisement of the draft 2005 budget, for public review and comment, scheduled to be adopted at the December 20, 2004 public meeting.

Second to motion by Mr. Parrish.

 

            Chair Algeo invited comment or discussion.  There being none, the vote was called.

 

Motion passed unanimously.

 

n        ADJOURNMENT:

 

            The Warwick Township Board of Supervisors’ November 1. 2004 Public Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                                    Gail V. Weniger,

                                                                                    Township Manager

 

 

These minutes were approved at the

Board of Supervisors’ meeting held: December 6, 2004