A Work Session of the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at the Whitpain Township Building, 960 Wentz Road, Blue Bell, PA at 7:30 PM for the purpose of reviewing the agenda of the March 20, 2007 Supervisors' Meeting. Chairman Leigh P. Narducci was present with Supervisors Joseph J. Palmer and Anthony F. Greco. Solicitor J. Peirce Anderson, Township Manager Phyllis C. Lieberman, Assistant Township Manager/Township Engineer Roman M. Pronczak, Chief Mark A. Smith, Director of Finance M .Elizabeth McBride, Director of Code Enforcement Michael E. McAndrew, Fire Marshal David M. Camarda, and Parks and Recreation Director Kurt W. Baker were also present. Supervisors Brian W. Young, William L. McKernan III, and Director of Public Works Ronald J. Cione were absent. There was one resident present.

The Supervisors reviewed the agenda discussing approval of the minutes of the March 6, 2007 Supervisors' Meeting, approval of the Treasurer's Report for the month of February 2007, consideration of a request from St. Helena's Church for a waiver from the requirement of preparing a land development plan for the construction of a service drive and turn-around area for deliveries to the banquet facility, consideration of a request from Hansen Properties, Inc. for a waiver from the requirement of preparing a land development plan for the construction of a 12' x 27' enclosure on a portion of the existing terrace at the clubhouse at Blue Bell Country Club, three confirming motions to release escrow, consideration of a request from St. John's Lutheran Church for a waiver of the Zoning Hearing Board fee for a project being conducted with volunteer labor and donated materials for a Boy Scout/Eagle Scout project, a motion to adopt Resolution Number 823 proclaiming April 26, 2007 as Earth Day in Whitpain Township, a motion to adopt Resolution Number 824 accepting deeds of dedication for a permanent right-of-way easement, permanent traffic signal easement, and a temporary construction easement from the Wissahickon School District in front of Shady Grove Elementary School, and several Zoning Hearing Board applications.

Mr. Pronczak then discussed the proposed noise wall to be erected on Route 202 near Jolly Road as part of the road widening project. He noted that it will be in front of three homes and will be 16 ft. high. PennDot has said that they are willing to plant vegetation on the street side of the wall, but only if the Township will maintain it. Mrs. Lieberman noted that Mr. Cione does not want the Township to maintain anything on state highways. After some discussion the supervisors suggested that staff meet with the residents again and explain the impact of the noise wall and if they still want it, there is to be no vegetation planted.

Mrs. Lieberman stated that PSATS is now providing townships with a proposed newsletter explaining various aspects about Townships of the Second Class. It will come out quarterly and can be placed on web sites. After some discussion, the Supervisors decided that they could be placed on the Township’s web site, but with a disclaimer.

The Supervisors then left for the public meeting.

At approximately 8:15 PM the Work Session was reconvened.

The Supervisors discussed two legal matters.

At approximately 9:05 PM the Work Session was adjourned.

Phyllis C. Lieberman
Whitpain Township Manager

#6 - 2007

The regular meeting of the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at the Whitpain Township Building, 960 Wentz Road, Blue Bell, PA. Supervisors Leigh P. Narducci, Joseph J. Palmer, and Anthony F. Greco were present. Township Manager Phyllis C. Lieberman, Township Solicitor J. Peirce Anderson, Township Engineer/Assistant Township Manager Roman Pronczak, Director of Finance, Elizabeth M. McBride, Code Enforcement Officer Michael E. McAndrew, Fire Marshal David M. Camarda, Chief Mark Smith from the Police Department, Park and Recreation Director, Kurt W. Baker, and Recording Secretary Michele Alifano were also present. Supervisors Brian W. Young and William McKernan, III, and Director of Public Works, Ronald J. Cione, were absent. There were six members of the public in attendance.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Narducci called the meeting to order.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. Palmer, and unanimously passed to approve the minutes of the March 6, 2007 Supervisors' Meeting, and the Treasurer's Report for the month of February, 2007.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. Palmer, and unanimously passed to approve the request from St. Helena Church for a waiver from the requirement of preparing a land development plan for the construction of a service drive and turn-around area for deliveries to the banquet facility.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. Palmer, and unanimously passed to approve the request from Hansen Properties, Inc. for a waiver from the requirement of preparing a land development plan for the construction of a 12' x 27' enclosure on a portion of the existing terrace at the clubhouse at Blue Bell Country Club.

One confirming motion was made by Mr. Palmer, duly seconded by Mr. Greco, and unanimously passed to release $7,553.70 (Release #5) from the escrow fund for Hanover Hills, Inc. (70-78 Norristown Road), $ 22,500.00 (Release #5) from the escrow fund for 630-646 Skippack Pike (LD-2-03), and $ 36,705.83 (Release #1) from the escrow fund for the Broad Axe Tavern, 901 W. Butler Pike (LD-3-06).

A motion was made by Mr. Palmer, duly seconded by Mr. Greco, and unanimously passed to approve a request from St. John's Lutheran Church for a waiver of a Zoning Hearing Board fee. The project is being conducted with volunteer labor and donated materials for a Boy Scout/Eagle Scout project for Daniel Erdman.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. Palmer, and unanimously passed to adopt Resolution Number 823, a resolution proclaiming April 26, 2007 as Earth Day in Whitpain Township.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. Palmer, and unanimously passed to adopt Resolution Number 824, a resolution accepting deeds of dedication for a permanent right-of-way easement, permanent traffic signal easement, and a temporary construction easement from the Wissahickon School District in front of Shady Grove Elementary School.

The Board of Supervisors took no action regarding the following applications to the Zoning Hearing Board:

NO: 1723-07: Application filed by Paul & Sharon L. Millinghausen as owners of the property located at 926 Valley Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422, for a variance from the terms of Article XXII, Section 160-165.A to allow a 24'-9 ½" x 12' addition to the side of the house to encroach 4' into the floodplain conservation district at the subject property. The zoning classification of the subject property is "R-1" Residence District.

NO: 1724-07: Application filed by David & Karen T. Grossberg as owners of the property located at 1205 Horseshoe Drive, Blue Bell, PA 19422, for variances from the terms of Article XII, Section 160-71.C. (1) and Article XXV, Section 160-192 to allow a 7' x 7' shed in the front yard of the property to be placed one foot away from the side of the house at the subject property. The zoning classification of the subject property is "R-7" Residential District.

NO: 1725-07: Application filed by Continental Bank as a tenant of 599 Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, Penna., 19422 for the following relief at the subject property:

1. An Appeal from the Zoning Enforcement Notice dated January 24, 2007.

2. An Appeal from the determination of the Zoning Officer under the terms of Article XXIII, Section 160-175.B that an interior decoration consisting of the placement of the words Continental Bank on an interior wall, not attached to a window or an awning, and visible from the public right-of-way, is regulated by the Zoning Ordinance or that a landowner is required to obtain a permit in order to place such an interior decoration within a building.

3. A variance under the terms of Article XXIII, Section 160-182.2.C to allow the placement of the words Continental Bank on the interior wall of the building visible from the right-of-way.

4. Challenge to the validity of the Zoning Ordinance insofar as it is interpreted to regulate interior decoration of a building.

The zoning classification of the subject property is "C" Commercial District.

NO: 1726-07: Application filed by Frank P. & Linda A. Cymbala as owners of 840 & 850 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, Penna., 19422 for the following relief at the subject property:

1. A special exception under the terms of Article XXIV, Section 160-184 to allow shared parking between 840 & 850 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike.

2. Variances from the terms of Article XXIV, Section 160-183.B.(2)(i) and Section 160-183.B.(2)(p) to allow the reduction in the required minimum number of parking spaces from 27 to 18 for 840 & 850 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike together.

The zoning classification of the subject property is "C" Commercial District.

NO: 1728-07: Application filed by Vijay & Leena Samant as owners of 94D Norristown Road, Blue Bell, Penna., 19422 for variances from the terms of Article VII, Section 160-35 and Article XXV, Section 160-193 to allow a two-story detached garage in the side yard 5' from the property line at the subject property. The zoning classification of the subject property is "R-2" Residence District.

A motion was made by Mr. Palmer, duly seconded by Mr. Greco, and unanimously approved to authorize the Township Solicitor to send a letter on behalf of the Township in support of Zoning Hearing Board Application No. 1727-07, filed by The Church Foundation/St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church as a tenant of the property located at 750 Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, PA, for an additional 4.6 sq. ft. of signage on the premises for a total of 34.6 sq. ft. at the subject property.

A motion was made by Mr. Palmer, duly seconded by Mr. Greco, and unanimously approved to authorize the Township Solicitor to send a letter on behalf of the Township in support of Zoning Hearing Board Application No. 1729-07, filed by Sunoco, Inc. as owner of the property located at 1 W. Skippack Pike, Broad Axe, PA, for a special exception to permit a convenience store and the re-establishment of a gas station, as well as a variance to allow the reduction of the minimum required rear yard from 30' to 4.1'. Chairman Narducci stated it is the Board's intention to support this application as the Broad Axe intersection has remained blighted for too long, and it is out of character with the Township. He stated Sunoco has agreed to donate land to the Township to help with traffic improvements in that area.

At this time, Vice-Chairman Palmer called for any comments or questions from the Board. There were none. He then called for any comments or questions from the audience. Mr. Bruce Wall commented on the fine job performed by the Whitpain Township Public Works Department in clearing the snow and ice from the storm on Friday, March 16.

There being no further business to come before the Board, on motion made by Chairman Narducci, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Anthony F. Greco, Assistant Secretary
Secretary

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