PPL COMMISSIONER COMMITTEE MEETING UPPER DUBLIN TOWNSHIP PLANNING, PARKS & LIBRARY COMMITTEE TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2019 | 7:00 PM Main Meeting Room The meeting location is accessible to person with disabilities. A request for special accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting by calling 215-643-1600 x3220. The agenda may be amended during the meeting to add or delete items, change the order of agenda items, or discuss any other business deemed necessary at the time of the meeting. 1 CALL TO ORDER 2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3 CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 4 STANDARD BUSINESS 4.a. MOVE to accept the minutes from the April 23, 2019 meeting without reading. 5 REPORTS 5.a. Report of the Library Director 5.b. Report of the Parks & Recreation Director 5.c. Report of the Environmental Protection Advisory Board 5.d. Report of the Planning Commission 6 DISCUSSION ITEMS 1 6.a. Discuss Twining Valley - Preparing for Management (presentation and discussion) 6.b. Discuss Amendments to Real Estate Sign Regulations 6.c. Amendment to the Greater Fort Washington District Ordinance Height Restrictions Map, UD #19-04 7 NEXT MEETING: AUGUST 27, 2019 AT 7:00 PM 8 ADJOURN 2 Agenda Item No:4.a Planning, Parks & Library Committee Agenda Item Report Meeting Date: June 25, 2019 Submitted by: Deb Ritter Submitting Department: Item Type: Minutes Agenda Section: Subject: MOVE to accept the minutes from the April 23, 2019 meeting without reading. Suggested Action: Attachments: MinutesBOC-PPL-20190423.pdf 3 A meeting of the Planning, Parks and Library Committee (PPL) of Upper Dublin Township (UDT) was held on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at 7:00 PM, in the Township Building, Chairperson Rebecca Gushue presiding. In attendance were Commissioners Rebecca Gushue, Meredith Ferleger, and Dr. Gary Scarpello. Also present were Paul Leonard, Township Manager; Gilbert High, Township Solicitor; Cherilyn Fiory, Director of the Upper Dublin Public Library (UDPL); Derek Dureka, Director of Parks and Recreation (UDPR); and Cheryl Knight, Chairperson of the Environmental Protection Advisory Board (EPAB). PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Ms. Gushue asked all present to pledge allegiance to the flag. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Ms. Gushue reminded that the Upper Dublin Triathlon is coming up on May 19, 2019 and that registration is open. PRESENTATIONS: Derek Dureka introduced a group of Upper Dublin High School students who were participating in a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) class. These students presented a bold new approach to Robbins Park. This PBL class has spent the past school year planning, designing and now proposing a new design for an environmentally sustainable building and plan for Robbins Park. STANDARD BUSINESS: Move to Accept the Minutes from February 26, 2019 Without Reading: Dr. Scarpello motioned, with Ms. Ferleger seconding, to accept the Minutes of the PPL meeting of February 26, 2019 without reading. VOTE ON MOTION ALL YES MOTION CARRIED REPORTS: Report of the Upper Dublin Public Library (UDPL) Director: Cherilyn Fiory reported on activities at the UDPL as follows: Updates: April contains both National Library Week and National Volunteer Week. We celebrated National Volunteer week by honoring our volunteers with our annual luncheon. Alan Libove received the Volunteer of the Year Award for his work as a volunteer tech tutor. We celebrated National Library Week with the 300 Books in a Day Challenge, residents and staff read 321 picture books that day. We invited the community to help us select two more museum passes to add to our collection for borrowing. Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ was the clear winner. Author Events/Programs for Adults: The Library will be hosting a performance this Friday at 7 PM by the Ambler Symphony Orchestra String Quartet. On Friday May 17 it will be an evening of opera and American song performed by Opera North, Inc. We encourage residents to bring their families. 4 1 The Library will be partnering with the Upper Dublin Police Department in hosting Mental Health Awareness: Recognition and Resources on May 8 at 7 PM. Children’s Programs: A Visit from Mother Goose on Monday, May 6 at 10:30 AM and Touch a Truck on Friday, May 10 at 1:30 PM. Staff are preparing for Summer Quest, our summer reading program, this year’s theme is A Universe of Stories. Additional information can be found at the UDPL. Stop into the Library or visit udpl.org for more information. Report of Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation (UDPR) Director: Derek Dureka reported on activities at UDPR as follows: Recreation: Summer camp registrations are continuing and we have already surpassed last year’s registration numbers. April 12 we held our Annual Eggstravaganza with approximately 100 people participating. Today we hosted our Comical Kids Concert with over 150 people in attendance. Discounted park tickets will be available tomorrow on our website. Upcoming Events: Everybody’s Theater Company Murder Mystery on May 10 and 11 Spring Flee Market & Sports Equipment Swap on June 1 NYC Day Trips on May 8 and June 19 Discount Phillies tickets vs the Cincinnati Reds on June 8 and in July vs the Nationals, the fireworks game Park Division: Parks staff has been busy preparing 25 athletic fields and regular mowing operations. New equipment has been installed at Mondauk Common. Township Fundraising Events: Monte Carlo Night was held Saturday March 23 at the Mercedes Benz of Fort Washington. The unofficial numbers topped all past fundraising efforts. The 8th Annual UD Triathlon will be held Sunday May 19, 2019. We are anticipating 375-380 participants. Volunteers are still needed, please contact our office if you are interested. Upper Dublin Township’s 300th Anniversary of Incorporation: The Tricentennial celebrations continue with the Parade on May 4, approximately 700 people are set to participate. Community Dinner and Dancing on Loch Alsh will be Friday June 21. AutoFest will be September 15 and the Fall Fest will be November 3. 5 2 Update on Twining Valley: We have given two presentations on the site development plan, one in February and one in April. Overall, we have received positive feedback. We have applied for two grants and we are working on applying for one more. We have been exploring interest in the clubhouse. Ms. Gushue asked about the types of business interested in the clubhouse. Mr. Dureka stated that there has been interest in maintaining the clubhouse as a fitness facility, but there has also been some interest in restaurant/catering facility. Mr. Dureka also mentioned that he, along with Rebecca Lohoefer, have been working on a “New Business Welcome” initiative. This will include staff visiting new businesses, introducing ourselves and highlighting them through social media. Report of the Environmental Protection Advisory Board (EPAB): Ms. Knight reported on the activities of the EPAB as follows: At our April meeting we welcomed our newest member Dr. Marc Osias. At our March meeting we were joined by a group of Upper Dublin residents promoting the “Ready for 100” Sustainable Energy Initiative, which is a commitment to 100% renewable energy by 2035. Also in March Mike Hass and I attended the Pennypack Sustainable Film Series and had the opportunity to speak with residents about the spotted lantern fly and other issues. In May we plan to send representatives from our Board to the Annual Environmental Advisory Council Conference in the Poconos. It is an educational and networking opportunity for EAC’s. The EPAB will be participating in the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association creek clean up this Saturday, April 27. We always welcome volunteers. Ms. Gushue mentioned that the “Ready for 100” Sustainable Energy Initiative seems like a lofty goal and asked if the presenter was able to give a detailed plan on how the Township could go about something like this. Ms. Knight stated that the EPAB has been looking into this for a few months and had that same feeling. However, by gathering information it is seeming more realistic. To clarify, it is renewable electricity by 2035 and 100% renewable energy by 2050. Mr. Leonard stated that this initiative is absolutely achievable. The township has been at 100% renewable in the past, but it came at a significate premium. The township can perform updated feasibility studies on this. Ms. Knight mentioned presenting a stepwise plan that explains these different measures. 6 3 Report of the Planning Commission (PC): Mr. Barton reported on the activities of the PC as follows: The three major projects we have been working on, most notably has been the proposed Greater Fort Washington zoning ordinance. We have had a number of public hearings. We hope the final public hearing will be May 14. We took seriously the BOC’s comments at the last public hearing and I have highlighted a few key changes: 1. Density is capped at 50 units/acre 2. Maximum height will be reduced to 75 feet. The second project we just reintroduced to the PC was to upgrade our sign regulations. One of the problems in the office park are what we call limited duration signs, these are for lease or for rent signs. We currently have no control over these and we are looking to institute a temporary sign, or a limited duration sign regulation. The third project is by-laws for the Planning Commission. We have never had these, but they may be useful in addressing possible conflicts of interest and generally how to conduct themselves. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. 7 4 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to discuss, Dr. Scarpello motioned, with Ms. Ferleger seconding, to adjourn the meeting. VOTE ON MOTION ALL YES MOTION CARRIED Respectfully submitted, ______________________________ Jesse Conte, Recording Secretary Attest: _______________________________________ Rebecca Gushue, Chairperson 8 5 DATE: June 5, 2019 TO: Board of Commissioners Upper Dublin Township FROM: Upper Dublin Township Environmental Protection Advisory Board (EPAB), Cheryl Knight, Chair SUBJECT: Recommendation to Adopt a Resolution to Transition to Clean and Renewable Energy Sources Support for a transition to 100% renewable energy is building in southeastern Pennsylvania and throughout the country.