Environmental Advisory Council

Nockamixon Township, Bucks County, PA

 

Minutes - May 14, 2009

 

Members attending:
A. Balogh, S. Donovan, T. Fritz, P. Keyser, S. Mendelson, J. Petersen, S. Tenney

Supervisor liaison: Bruce Keyser

 

Guests: Members of the Nockamixon Open Space Committee: N. Alessi, E. Chapman, J. MacFarland, D. Meloche, T. Stone, G. Westerfer

 

Call to order 7:15 PM; minute preparation agreed upon.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE

 

  • Meeting held at an EAC member’s, Terry Fritz, house due to the limited space available at the township building as a result of the Zoning Hearing scheduled the same night.
  • Minutes of the April 9, 2009 meeting tabled until June meeting.

 

BUSINESS

 

  • Joint meeting. The EAC met jointly with members of the Open Space Committee to review cooperation between committees and related issues. Both committees will target to meet again once a year and invite the Park & Rec Committee to join given shared mission.
  • The EAC will explore setting up a plan review training session with OSC & Park/Rec Committees and also invite the BOS and Planning Commission to attend.
  • The EAC will include the OSC on site visits and copy OSC directly on EAC reviews.
    Committees agreed that education should continue concerning groundwater quantity and quality with the need for significant open space to ensure aquifer and township sustainability.
  • While current SALDO provides for good stormwater management, riparian buffers and natural resource protection, preservation of open space should be more strongly considered versus consideration of a fee in lieu.

 

  • Act 537 review. The final draft prepared by township engineer, Steve Baluh submitted to Bucks County Planning Commission for their review. S. Donovan gave an update on Water Act.

 

  • Riparian Buffers – Educational program The members continued discussion in preparation for the Educational program. Outline summaries to be forwarded from EAC members for final summary and incorporation into a public presentation - which would also include input from Mark Gallagher – and use at Community Day. The Conclusion: Each stream is unique with habitats and forested areas dependant on the width of the stream. The larger the buffer, the better protection.

 

  • Bucks & Montgomery Counties EAC Summit in Doylestown on 5/20/09. S. Mendelson will attend.

 

  • Water Usage Study – Palisades High School . The EAC continues to support the BNTGWC effort to monitor the groundwater levels in our area and, in particular, around the Palisades High School. S. Donovan reported for BNTGWC that a report is completion stages for submission to townships and ultimately dissemination to the community. A grant was obtained to hire a summer intern to conduct well measurements to determine time difference from 1990 study.
  • Wind Energy Systems Zoning Ordinance. Discussion with Planning Committee postponed.

 

  • EAC Initiatives for 2009 . Full discussion tabled until a future meeting.

~ Welcome brochure

~ Promote LEED & environmental friendly development

~ Review EAC Ordinance and update as necessary

~ Recommend available grants appropriate for township

 

  • Flexible Development Ordinance. Open Space Committee comments were sent to the Planning Commission. No further action at this time.

 

New Items

  • Community Day 9/19/09. P. Keyser offered to again lead this year’s EAC efforts.

 

  • T. Stone introduced the “Cool Counties Policies Initiative” as a tool for townships in future planning for sustainable development.

 

 

DEVELOPMENT PLANS UNDER REVIEW

 

  • DiPalantino Land Development

Easton Rd (Route 611) TMP # 30-11-83; 1.829 Acres, 1 Lot.

Site visit 2/9/08- EAC and PHydro report submitted 2/20/08. Revised plan submitted

5/13/08 . EAC revised report submitted 5/31/08. PC approved 9/2/08. Further revised plan submitted

2/5/09 EAC and PHydro report submitted 3/13/09. Action required by 7/20/09.

 

  • George Hoffman

Marienstein Rd TMP 30-11-164-5, 30-11-164-2, and 30-11-164-3; 20.179 Acres; 5 Lot Residential Subdivision

Site visit 3/22/08. EAC and PHydro report submitted 4/7/08, 9/11/08. Making progress but awaiting info. Action required by 5/30/09.

 

  • Morton Subdivision Lonely Cottage Road TMP 30-11-5; 19.39 Acres; 3 Lot Residential Subdivision

Site visit dated May 14, 2008. EAC review letter issued 6/17/08. PHydro letter dated 6/7/08. Revised plans submitted 4/8/09. Awaiting reply to EAC and PHydro concerns. Action required by 7/2/09

 

  • Gouck 2 lot subdivision – Site visit held 1/24/09. EAC review submitted 1/29/09, reviewed at 2/3/09 Planning Commission Meeting, plans to be revised. Action required by 6/30/09.

 

  • Smeland Lot Line Change – EAC comments provided 2/24/09, action by 6/1/09.

 

  • Cobbler – EAC review issued 4/30/07 – new 3 lot subdivision preliminary plan (incomplete) reviewed at 3/3/09 PC meeting, awaiting revised/complete preliminary plans, indefinite delay granted 6/7/07.

 

Development Plan review status - Awaiting Applicant Action

 

    • Dwayne Gross Byers Road - site visit held 7/31/07- EAC review issued 8/29/07- action

required by 6/30/09 

    • Christman - EAC reviews 11/6, 11/30, 12/5/07, reviewed at 12/4/07 PC meeting, new sketch plans

submitted 7/18/08- action required by 6/30/09 - indefinite extension

    • Harrow Station CVS & car wash- Revision dated 7/15/08, Conditional Final Approval by BOS

3/18/09 - PC Final Approval 2/3/09

    • Jesiolowski subdivision - site visit held 4/28/08- EAC & P Hydro review letter submitted 5/30/08,

Conditional Final Approval by BOS 3/18/09

    • Harrow Station senior housing development - EAC & P-Hydro report issued 5/19/08 & email

1/29/09 - BOS Conditional Approved 2/18/09

 

 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 PM, Motion made by S. Tenney, seconded by S. Mendelson.

Next meeting June 11, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sanci Tenney