CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP NEWSLETTER

4030 Whitehorse Road, Devault, PA 19432 - (610) 240-0326 phone (610) 240-0328 fax

Published by the Board of Supervisors:

Summer 2009 Paul J. Hogan Kevin R. Kuhn Charles A. Philips Michael J. Rodgers Hugh D. Willig

June 14th – Celebrating Flag Day at Charlestown Park

The Great Valley Chapter of the American Cancer Society held its first annual “Bark for Life” fundraiser event at Charlestown Park on Flag Day, June 14th.

About 150 people (and their dogs) attended and enjoyed games, prizes, music, silent auction, contests and more.

VFW Post 5203 was on hand to lead the crowd in singing the National Anthem, distributing free American Flags and collecting old and tattered ones for honorable disposal.

They were joined in their efforts by a color guard from Boy Scout Troop 67 of Charlestown, at left.

On hand from the Township were Supervisor Paul Hogan, Administrator Linda Csete, and Public Works Superintendent Fred Alston and his dog Rumple. Rumple was a finalist in the "Musical Sit" contest, where the dog owner repeatedly gets his dog to sit when the music stops playing.

Plan to join us next year for this enjoyable event!

Burning Regulations

We receive questions from time to time related to the burning regulations within the Township. The following is a brief summary of those regulations: Only leaves and waste papers may be burned on the premises of a single family dwelling between sunrise and sunset and must be constantly attended by a responsible person equipped to extinguish the fire if a need arises. The Chester County Fire Board must be notified before the fire is lit and after it has been extinguished – the telephone numbers that may be used are 610-644-1224, 610-933-8966 or 610-436-4704. Please remember that any permitted fire may be extinguished by the Fire Company either with or without the consent of the landowner or person in charge if, in the opinion of the Fire Marshal, police officer, or fire officer that such fire constitutes a danger to persons or property or is deemed a nuisance fire. This is a summary of the regulations. Please contact the Township office for the complete burning ordinance 100-2002. If you have any questions, please contact the Fire Marshal, Fred Alston at 610-656-9315.

CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2009 PAGE 1 OF 8 TRAILS IN CHARLESTOWN - by Sue Staas Charlestown is fortunate to host four beautiful trails, with more in the planning stages.

Horse-Shoe Trail

The Horse-Shoe Trail is sponsored and maintained by the Horse-Shoe Trail Club (www.hstrail.org) for use by hikers and horses. Founded in 1935, it’s open from Valley Forge to its connection with the northeast of Harrisburg. Much of the trail is hosted by private landowners, through whose generosity those of us who hike or ride have the opportunity to enjoy some beautiful countryside.

Several miles of the trail traverse Charlestown. The trail is well marked with yellow blazes and the occasional signpost. Access Points with parking can be found:

• On Rees Road near the power lines. Look for the Parking Signs. Cross Rees Road from the parking lot to access the trail. Horse Shoe Trail entrance adjacent to the Nature Center • At the Great Valley Nature Center at the corner of Hollow Road and Route 29.Park in their lot on Hollow Road, detour up the hill to enjoy The Raptor Center behind the barn, and the small animal/reptile exhibit in the barn.

• Cross Hollow Road and walk towards the small bridge to the right; turn left just before the bridge to access the trail, marked by a Horse-Shoe Trail signpost

• At the Charlestown Elementary School on Charlestown Road.

o Park toward the rear of the main parking lot. Look for trail blazes to the left of the drive, and behind the large play equipment.

o Or, cross Charlestown Road (carefully), go right and look for blazes on the left.

• At Brightside Farm on Yellow Springs Road. Brightside Farm is owned by the Township, and offers community garden plots, and its own trail. Park diagonally along the drive, and look for the Brightside trail signs to the right of the driveway.

o To access the Horse-Shoe Trail, cross Yellow Springs Road and proceed along Valley Hill Road. Look for the Yellow Blazes on the left.

Brightside Trail

Take time one day to walk the Brightside Trail, which circles the farmed fields. The small stone house on Yellow Springs Road, near Hollow Road, is the Wisner-Rapp House, a 19th century house and saddle shop on the National Register of Historic Places. It is owned and maintained by the Charlestown Historical Society. You may see cars parked there on Tuesday mornings when volunteers of the Historical Society are working.

The Grass Trail at Brightside Farm

CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2009 PAGE 2 OF 8

Pickering Trail

This trail parallels the Pickering Creek between Charlestown Road and Route 29. This is a beautiful hiking trail, and a favorite spot for fly fisher folk. The stream is stocked with trout. There are two public access points:

• Park along Pickering Dam Road below Route 29. There is room for two or three cars on the stream side. Look for the trail entrance, and follow the trail across the bridge and turn left.

• Park on the shoulder of Charlestown Road beside the Charlestown Mill (a historic, 19th-century mill now owned and preserved by Charlestown Township), cross Charlestown Road very carefully, and enter the driveway. Follow the signs to the trail.

Supervisor Kevin Kuhn and Parks & Recreation Chairman Bob Jones on the • Residents of Charlestown Hunt can access the Pickering Trail Pickering Trail from their own perimeter trail. Just follow the trail that goes down hill toward the creek!

Charlestown Park Trail

Our most frequented trail is the one at Charlestown Park. It’s a paved trail that circumnavigates the park adjacent to the Christian College. Public access into the park is from Township Line Road.

Walk the long or short route, and visit the observation deck. Relax and enjoy the park by taking a seat on one of the many memorial benches now placed along the trail.

At right - walkers enjoying the fresh air at Charlestown Park

Charlestown’s trails depend on your stewardship. Please note that ATVs, alcoholic beverages and camp fires are not permitted on any township trails, and we ask you to be considerate of the property owners who allow trails on their properties. It’s greatly appreciated by the land owners and trail users alike if you bring a bag to help pick up litter along the trails as you go.

Thank you for taking care of our neighborhood and enjoy our trails. Trail Maps are available upon request from the Township Office.

Questions? Want to become involved in preserving our trails?

• Contact Aliena Gerhard, Director of Open Space, Charlestown [email protected]. • Sue Staas, Charlestown Horse-Shoe Trail Committee Chair, [email protected].

CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2009 PAGE 3 OF 8

Planning Commission Activities

Through July 31, 2009 of this year, the Planning Commission has reviewed the following applications and proposals.

Subdivisions

Alleva Subdivision Plan – Rees Road

The Planning Commission recommended approval of the preliminary/final plan dated 3/23/09 for Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Alleva changing a lot line to reduce the non-conformity of one of two existing lots. The plan was approved by the Board of Supervisors in June.

Gluchanicz Subdivision Plan – Charlestown Road

The Planning Commission has reviewed several sketch plans for the applicant, who proposes subdividing two existing lots into three lots, and plans improvements to the former “Ott Fur Shop” building. The next step will be for the applicant to submit a preliminary subdivision plan for review.

Dewey Homes - Spring Oaks Traditional Neighborhood Development – Whitehorse Road

This is the first application to be proposed under Traditional Neighborhood Development Zoning and includes 184 residential units on 64 acres. There are four housing types, including large single homes, smaller singles, twin homes and townhomes. The applicant works intensely with the Design Review Committee and makes frequent appearances at the Planning Commission to ensure that the process is on track. Their next step is to create an architectural design manual for review. A presentation will be made to the Planning Commission at a specially scheduled meeting on September 15th..

Thompson Family Sketch Plan – Whitehorse Road

The Thompson family proposes 23 conservation-sized lots on 380 acres, 200 of which are in Charlestown and 180 in Schuylkill Township. An emergency access connection between Tinkerhill Road and Tinkerhill Lane was shown in the latest revision. The next step will be for the applicant to submit a preliminary subdivision plan for review.

J. Loew & Associates - Tyler Griffin Sketch Plan – Phoenixville Pike and Charlestown Road

This is the second TND application currently under review with the Design Review Committee. The applicant proposes 80 townhomes and possibly one retail/commercial building on the 23.8 acre tract at the northeast corner of Phoenixville Pike and Charlestown Road. A presentation will be made to the Planning Commission at a specially scheduled meeting on September 15th..

Zantzinger Minor Subdivision Plan – Pikeland Road

The Planning Commission recommended approval for a lot line change plan between two parcels, which the Supervisors approved in April.

Land Development

Genterra for Proposed “Great Valley Business Campus” – Yellow Springs Road & Phoenixville Pike

The Planning Commission has reviewed several sketch plans proposing six commercial office buildings at their 53-acre property located at the intersection of Yellow Springs Road and Phoenixville Pike. The next step will be for the applicant to submit a preliminary land development plan for review.

CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2009 PAGE 4 OF 8

Holy Ascension Antiochian Orthodox Church– Phoenixville Pike

The Planning Commission recommended approval of the Holy Ascension Church land development plan for a new church to be constructed on a 10.1 acre property on Phoenixville Pike across from Wagsworth Manor. The Board of Supervisors approved the plan in July.

Laurabrooke Sketch Plan – Phoenixville Pike

The applicant has submitted several sketch plans proposing 3 commercial office buildings with most of the parking underneath. The next step is for the applicant to submit a preliminary land development plan for review.

Phoenixville Regional Planning Committee

The Planning Commission heard a presentation from Jim McMasters, Esq. and Elizabeth Lankenau of Kise, Straw & Kolodner on the plan consistency review for Charlestown Township as one of the six members of the Phoenixville Regional Planning Committee. Charlestown Township’s zoning was generally found to be consistent with the future land use vision presented in the Regional Comprehensive Plan.

Ordinance Reviews

Revisions to the Ordinance Requiring Underground Stormwater Management Basins

The Planning Commission is examining proposed changes to Ordinance #152-2009 passed by the Board of Supervisors on May 4th requiring all stormwater management basins to be subsurface systems. Under discussion is whether to allow applicants to construct surface systems provided they can meet certain aesthetic requirements. A subcommittee is being formed to work on a draft amendment, which would provide design standards including an appendix with pictures. This matter will be considered further at their September 22nd meeting.

Ordinance Regulating the Number of Horses per Acre

The Planning Commission discussed the horse density issue and proposed a density of one horse per pasture acre after the first four acres qualify to have the first horse. A definition for “pasture acre” will also be needed.

Illuminated Sign Ordinance

The Planning Commission recommended approval of a proposed ordinance amendment to prohibit internally illuminated or moving displays on signs with a proposed modification to the text. The Board of Supervisors passed Ordinance #154-2009 in July.

Ordinance Amendment – Net Lot Area and Net Tract Area

The Planning Commission reviewed the definitions for Net Lot Area and Net Tract Area and forwarded a recommendation to the Supervisors.

Ordinance Amendment – Impervious Coverage and Residential Cluster (RC) District Standards

The Planning Commission decided not to recommend further amendments to the impervious or building coverage in the commercial zoning districts, considering them unnecessary since the ordinance amendments made in 2004 served to reduce the percentage of allowable impervious coverage in those zones.

Charlestown Township Planning Commission Meetings are scheduled as follows through the end of 2009

September 15, 2009 - September 22, 2009 - October 13, 2009 - November 10, 2009 - December 8, 2009 Meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. at the Great Valley Middle School, 255 N. Phoenixville Pike in room 154.

CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2009 PAGE 5 OF 8 Charlestown Historical Society 2009 Art Show Celebrating Charlestown Artists Now and Then -by Barbara DeWilde

Beautiful, fun, joyous, interesting, amazing and thought provoking, were some of the comments made by the people enjoying the Charlestown Historical Society’s Art Show, Celebrating Charlestown Artists Now and Then. The event was held at Charlestown Elementary School on May 15 and 16, 2009. There were over 200 works of art including paintings, sculpture, handmade furniture, pottery, baskets, clocks and children’s art from Charlestown Elementary School and The Great Valley Middle School.

Our goals in holding the Art Show were two fold. First, we wanted to sponsor an event which would bring the community of all ages together. Second, we wanted to celebrate the work of the artists of Charlestown from kindergarten age to senior artists and artists of the past. There were many reasons why the show will be cherished. Here are a few:

• Fifteen members of the GVHS Honor Strings Ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Doug Wilfert, performed beautiful music to help us celebrate the Artists. Many commented about the high quality of the music, choice of music and the attire of tuxedos and gowns. This concert made our Above left to right: Jacob Merriwether, Art Show Planner; Debbie Kuhn, Artist and Planner; Robert De Wilde, Artist; John Pittock, celebration very joyous. We commend President of the Charlestown Historical Society; Eleanor Calvecchio, Mr. Doug Wilfert and the students for Artist and Secretary of the Charlestown Historical Society; Barbara their presentation. De Wilde, Art Show Planner; Tina Daly, Art Show Planner.

• The amazing factor was that all of the artists live in Charlestown or lived here in the past. Charles Segal displayed a beautiful winter scene of the Pickering Creek. He is known in this area for the two murals he painted on Phoenixville buildings. His work is often displayed in Phoenixville Galleries. There was a special exhibit of Henry Soulen’s art work. He lived in Charlestown in the early 20th century. Henry Soulen’s work appeared in the National Geographic and often appeared on the front page of the Ladies Home Journal. Paul Hogan, a current Supervisor of Charlestown, showed unique tables and benches he created out of beautiful wood. A former resident, Nancy Most, started creating sculpture in her 80’s. One piece called Eve was particularly appealing. One of the children was excited to tell us why her art work had such vibrant colors. Her teacher explained that sometimes we are all sad. If you take the time to make a piece of art with joyous colors, often it will help make you feel better. • Visitors had great opportunities to speak with each other and the artists. Some people were strangers, while others were friends and neighbors. Some had not seen each other for many years and were thrilled when they discovered a long lost acquaintance. We thank The Phoenix for running an article and picture about the show. This article drew people from a wide area around Phoenixville. The Charlestown Historical Society wishes to extend its appreciation to the Charlestown Elementary School for allowing us to hold the Art Show in the school. The Charlestown Historical Society thanks all of the people responsible for putting together this wonderful art show that brought the community together through beautiful art.

CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2009 PAGE 6 OF 8 FINAL COUNTDOWN: TAX BREAK TO EXPIRE !

- Aliena J. Gerhard, Director of Open Space

It’s Summertime, and all you want to do is think about your vacation, relaxing in the garden or at the shore, and counting down the days until school starts again. The LAST thing on your mind is TAXES! But now, as you look outside at your beautiful land, is the perfect time to think about how you can benefit from a tax law.

If you own land with important natural or historic resources, donating a voluntary conservation agreement can be one of the smartest ways to conserve the land you love and protect America’s natural heritage, while maintaining your private property rights and sheltering some or all of your earned income for up to 16 years.

These incentives make it easier for average Americans, including working family farmers and ranchers, to donate land. The legislation allows:

ƒ A conservation agreement donor to deduct up to 50% of their adjusted gross income in any year; ƒ Qualifying farmers and ranchers to deduct up to 100% of their adjusted gross income; and ƒ Donors to take deductions for their contribution over as many as 16 years.

These changes allow many modest income landowners to deduct much more than they could under the old rules, bringing increased fairness to the tax code.

Many of your neighbors have taken advantage of this deal and are working with the Township and a land trust to finalize their conservation easements before the December 31st deadline. Because it can take several months to complete an easement, and because land trusts are busy with the increased numbers of people hurrying to be a part of it, the time is NOW! So, make a call or send an email to find out more. You won’t regret it! 610-636-7292, [email protected].

Reminder: Two Dates Left in 2009 for Fireworks Displays Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Fireworks displays may be held only by Charlestown Township is a 2009 Participant in the Regional permit issued by the Fire Marshal and Southeastern Pa Hazardous Household Waste Program. You can must be under the control of licensed and properly dispose of unwanted hazardous household automotive insured individuals. For additional products, home maintenance, lawn and pest control products at information, contact the Fire Marshal at either of the events listed below. 610-656-9315.

Remaining Drop-off Dates & Locations: (all 9 AM - 3 PM) Roadside Trimming

Saturday, September 19, 2009 The roadways throughout our Township, New Garden Township Building while rural and picturesque, must be 8934 Gap Newport Road maintained for safety and drivability. If Landenberg, PA 19350 your property abuts a roadway, especially an intersection, please trim your Saturday, October 10, 2009 shrubbery in order to improve the sight Government Services Center distance and general safety along that 601 Westtown Rd section of the roadway. Thank you for West Chester, PA 19380 your help and if you need additional information, please contact the (Computer recycling on October 10 only) Roadmaster at 610-656-9315.

CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2009 PAGE 7 OF 8 What Is Envirofest? - by David Greer, Open Space Commission Chair

On May 2nd, members of the Open Space Commission enjoyed a fun-filled Saturday at Envirofest and shared with folks far and wide all the wonderful things going on in our Township.

Green Valleys Association holds Envirofest each year at Welkinweir, located on Prizer Road off Route 100 in northern Chester County. In this beautiful setting, Envirofest promotes Green products and programs. One of the best ways for each of us to make a difference in the health of our watersheds and the water we drink is to begin to observe and change our habits, and Envirofest is aimed at teaching the residents of Northern Chester County how to promote Sustainable Living!

Envirofest ties into many of the goals Charlestown has for protecting our land (especially our watersheds) and so the Township supports Envirofest with a booth. Township residents can talk to Open Space volunteers about Charlestown’s habitat preservation programs, our trails, and, in general, our commitment to preserving the quality of life in our township. A number of township residents stopped by the booth to discuss township programs. Many residents of our neighboring townships came by to learn about Charlestown’s programs and sometimes to give us ideas on how we can improve them. Because other townships were also represented at Envirofest it was also a great opportunity to share ideas.

Envirofest is always free to the public. There are a number of family-oriented events aimed at teaching young and old alike how to develop a carbon neutral life style. It is an event that all township residents should consider attending in the future both for the learning experience and for the fun of the family events.

Charlestown Township P.O. Box 507 Devault, PA 19432

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2009 PAGE 8 OF 8