James Hanak

The Westtown Township Comprehensive Plan serves as a detailed guide for the Township's development and conservation efforts. It focuses on several key areas: preserving remaining open space, enhancing connectivity and access to parks and trails, and improving recreational value. Furthermore, it addresses future land use and housing by considering specific regulations for institutional uses, promoting housing diversity, improving access to walkable places, and encouraging new mixed-use development.

The meeting included the swearing-in of a new supervisor and an overview of his background. The board held a workshop to discuss personnel and legal matters, and received a presentation on facade easements. Financial reports for the township were reviewed, indicating a strong fiscal position compared to the previous year. Departmental updates were provided by the Fire Marshal and Police Chief, highlighting service call statistics and upcoming community events. Public comment addressed maintenance issues on local roads and historical preservation concerns. Additionally, a public hearing was conducted regarding amendments to the comprehensive plan to reflect recent land acquisitions and improvements to public parks.

The meeting focused on the recap of a recent joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors and a review of the land development application for the Westtown School dining hall project. Key topics included the proposed construction of a new two-story dining hall, the implementation of a closed-loop geothermal system, the installation of a subsurface stormwater management system beneath a new access road, and requested waivers related to stormwater management requirements for the geothermal well installation.

The Board of Supervisors held a workshop to discuss the concept and implementation of historic preservation easements. Presentations were provided by the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia regarding the legal and technical aspects of donating an easement, the role of the holding organization in monitoring and enforcing the agreement, the tax benefits for property owners, and the process of tailoring easement agreements to specific properties and future use needs.

The Planning Commission discussed several items, including zoning hearing board applications for properties on Robin Drive, and reviewed a resubdivision application for properties on South Conquered Road. The discussion focused on lot line changes, lot area compliance with zoning ordinances, the status of septic systems and water lines, and the requirement for property corner monuments. The commission ultimately decided to table the resubdivision application pending receipt of additional documentation from the health department and clarification on compliance with township engineering requirements.