A Work Session of the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, April 17, 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 April 17, 2007 Supervisors' Meeting. Vice Chairman Joseph J. Palmer was present with Supervisors Brian W. Young, William L. McKernan III, 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, Fire Marshal David M. Camarda, and Parks and Recreation Director Kurt W. Baker were also present. Chairman Leigh P. Narducci arrived late. Director of Code Enforcement, Michael E. McAndrew was absent. There were 5 residents and one reporter present.

The Supervisors reviewed the agenda discussing approval of the minutes of the April 3, 2007 Supervisors' Meeting, approval of the Treasurer's Report for the month of March, 2007, approval of the second escrow release for the Broad Axe Tavern, consideration of a request from Penn American Real Estate Company for a waiver from the requirement of preparing a land development plan for the construction of a 10 foot by 4 foot concrete pad and installation of a portable generator at 475 Sentry Parkway, consideration of a request to waive the Zoning Hearing Board fee for Boehm's Church for a request for an off-premises directional sign at 599 Skippack Pike, and several Zoning Hearing Board applications.

Mrs. Lieberman noted that she had received a call from the developer of Phipps Station asking if it would be acceptable to change its designation as a 55 and older community. He would still have to go to the Zoning Hearing Board for permission, because it was originally testified to and approved as a 55 and older community at the Zoning Hearing Board. After some discussion, the Supervisors said that changing the designation was not acceptable to them. Concessions were made on density, because it was going to be a 55 and older community and no impact on the school district.

Mrs. Lieberman then referred to e-mails received from a resident regarding trash and recyclables. She noted that the resident was concerned with the amount of trash blowing around neighborhoods and in commercial areas such as the Super Fresh store in Centre Square. She also wondered if we should be requiring residents to recycle more items than what our present ordinance requires. Mrs. Lieberman had placed in the Supervisors packets the previous Friday a summary of what we presently require. She said that the real issue is not enacting stricter laws, but more diligent enforcement. The rest of the staff agreed. The trash regulations are enforced by the police department and Chief Smith said that he has advised his people to be more active in going after violators. As far as recycling goes, the township has required a minimum number of items. The haulers have additional services available if a resident wants them. Mrs. Lieberman will contact the resident. If for some reason the situation doesn't get better, we will revisit the matter at a later date.

Mrs. Lieberman and Mr. Baker asked which Supervisors will be going to the Earth Day celebration on Thursday, April 26th.

The Supervisors discussed a legal matter.

The Supervisors then left for the public meeting.

At approximately 8:10 PM the Work Session was reconvened. Mr. Narducci joined the group.

The Supervisors then discussed another legal matter.

At approximately 9:00 PM the Work Session was adjourned.

Phyllis C. Lieberman
Whitpain Township Manager

#8 - 2007
The regular meeting of the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at the Whitpain Township Building, 960 Wentz Road, Blue Bell, PA. Supervisors Joseph J. Palmer, Anthony F. Greco, Brian W. Young, and William L. McKernan 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, Director of Public Works, Ronald J. Cione, 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. Supervisor Leigh P. Narducci and Code Enforcement Officer, Michael E. McAndrew were absent. There were approximately ten members of the public in attendance.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Vice-Chairman Palmer called the meeting to order. He noted that the Board of Supervisors will be recognizing the week of April 15th through April 21st as National Volunteer Week, with this year's theme being "Inspire by Example", and He thanked all the volunteers who serve the Township.

A motion was made by Mr. Young, duly seconded by Mr. McKernan, and unanimously passed to approve the minutes of the April 3, 2007 Supervisors' Meeting.

A motion was made by Mr. Young, duly seconded by Mr. Greco, to approve the Treasurer's Report for the month of March, 2007.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. McKernan, and unanimously passed to release $ 37,193.03 (Release #2) from the escrow fund for the Broad Axe Tavern, 901 W. Butler Pike (LD-3-06).

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. McKernan, and unanimously passed to approve a request from Penn American Real Estate Company for a waiver from the requirement of preparing a land development plan for the construction of a 10 foot by 4 foot concrete pad and installation of portable generator ay 475 Sentry Parkway.

A motion was made by Mr. Young, duly seconded by Mr. McKernan, and unanimously passed to approve a request waiving the Zoning Hearing Board fee for Boehm's Church to request a variance for an off-premises directional sign at 599 Skippack Pike.

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

NO: 1730-07: Application filed by James F. Mooney & Paula L. Lian as owners of 45 Betsy Lane, Ambler, PA, 19002 for a variance from the terms of Article XXII, Section 160-165.A to allow a storage shed within the floodplain at the subject property. The zoning classification of the subject property is "R-2" Residence District.

NO: 1731-07: Application filed by Leon & Tracy S. Clemmer as owners of 737 Hoover Road, Blue Bell, PA, 19422 for a variance from the terms of Article V, Section 160-19 to allow a detached garage with a height of 16.75' reducing the minimum required setback from the side lot line from 22' to 10' at the subject property. The zoning classification of the subject property is "R-1" Residence District.

NO: 1732-07: Application filed by Sun Refining & Marketing Co. as owner, and Shailesh P. Bhalala as tenant, of 1405 Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, PA, 19422 for the following relief at the subject property:

1. A special exception under Article XVII, Section 160-112.Q.(8) for a convenience store in the garage bays.

2. An appeal from the determination of the Zoning Officer under Article XVII, Section 160-112.Q.(8) that a convenience store is being operated in the garage bays.

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

NO: 1733-07: Application filed by 775 Penllyn Pike, LLC as owners of 775 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, PA, 19422 for a special exception under the terms of Article XXIV, Section 160-184 to allow the required minimum parking spaces for the subject property to be located at 711 Boehms Church Road. The zoning classifications of the subject property are "C" Commercial District & "P-R" Park & Recreation District.

NO: 1734-07: Application filed by Aetna Life Insurance Co. as tenants of 980 Jolly Road, Blue Bell, PA, 19422 for variances from the terms of Article XVI, Section 160-104 & Section 160-107 to permit 193 parking spaces on the PECO right-of-way and to allow parking closer than 50' to the ultimate right-of-way at the subject property. The zoning classification of the subject property is "R-E" Research & Engineering District.

NO: 1735-07:Application filed by Philomeno & Salamone as owners of 504 & 508 Deerfield Court, formerly 527 Stenton Avenue, Blue Bell, PA, 19422 for the following relief at the subject property:

1. A special exception under the terms of Article XXII, Section 160-166.E to permit an impoundment basin or a wet basin in a floodplain.

2. An appeal under the terms of Article XXII, Section 160-163.A. to change the boundaries of the Floodplain Conservation District.

3. Variances from the terms of Article XX, Section 160-152 and Article XXV, Section 160-193 to allow a spring house, an existing accessory structure, in the side yard rather than the rear yard.

The zoning classifications of the subject property are "R5" Agricultural/Rural Residence District & "FP" Floodplain Conservation District.

NO: 1736-07: Application filed by James S. Patton & Rosellen Gallo as owners of 125 Gillin Road, Ambler, PA, 19002 for variances from the terms of Article VII, Section 160-35 and Article XXV, Section 160-192 to allow an 8' x 12' garden shed to remain in the front yard at the subject property. The zoning classification of the subject property is "R-2" Residence District.

NO: 1737-07: Application filed by St. John's Lutheran Church as owner of 1802 Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, PA, 19422 for a variance from the terms of Article XXVI, Section 160-208 to allow the addition of a 148 sq. ft. porch roof to the existing 947.88 sq. ft. non-conforming garage at the subject property. The zoning classification of the subject property is "IN" Institutional District.

NO: 1738-07: Application filed by Keystone Property Group as owner of 1777 Sentry Parkway West, Bldg 17, Blue Bell, PA, 19422 for the following relief:

1. A variance from the terms of Article XXVI, Section 160-183.B.(2).(k) to reduce the minimum required parking spaces for medical practitioners, from 46 spaces to 41 spaces at the subject property.

2. A variance from the terms of Article XXIII, Section 160-182.2.E to allow two (2) tenant identification signs for two (2) tenants, neither occupying more than 50% of the floor area, and to allow three (3) directional signs on a street frontage.

The zoning classification of the subject property is "A-R" & "A-R-1" Administrative & Research District.

At this time, Vice-Chairman Palmer called for any comments or questions from the Board. An attorney from the law firm of Eastburn & Gray was present to speak on behalf of her client, 775 Penllyn Pike, LLC, which has a pending Zoning Hearing Board application No. 1733-07. Mr. Palmer advised that the Whitpain Township Planning Commission has recommended approval of the application, and the Board of Supervisors has chosen to remain neutral regarding the application. The next step would be to present any changes made to the application before the Zoning Hearing Board.

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,

Brian W. Young, 
Secretary

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