Charlestown Township Newsletter – Summer 2009
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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 Appalachian Trail 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 Pennsylvania 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.