Martin F. McKenzie

The agenda included regular business items such as approving minutes and expenditures, a police report, a sewer update, and several resolutions related to applications for Local Share Account Grants for various projects, including a stormwater study, plant upgrades, and a fire company pumper/tanker. Also discussed was a sewer extension project and an agreement for regional emergency response. A conditional use hearing was held for an application for an illuminated wall sign. The proposed 2026 budget was presented, and a motion was made to adopt and advertise it. Additionally, motions were made to accept a service agreement for auditing services and to award a circulation study to Bowman.

The meeting addressed a conditional use application for an illuminated wall sign at 4 Industrial Blvd, with concerns raised about the sign's compliance and correlation to building uses. A sketch plan was presented for lot line changes and a subdivision involving Willistown Friends Meeting, potentially creating a new buildable parcel for future financial interest and connecting conserved lands. Viable septic and well sites would need to be demonstrated for the buildable lots.

The meeting addressed several applications, including a conditional use for an illuminated wall sign, a variance request for an 8' fence, and a subdivision and land development application for a 57-unit age-restricted apartment development. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the sign with conditions for dimmable lights and a specific color range. They recommended denial of the fence variance and discussed updates to the application for the apartment development, emphasizing the need to reflect that only one building is proposed.

The meeting included discussions on proposed updates to ESC Ordinances, the tree giveaway at Okehocking Preserve, and the Shredding and Battery Recycling Collection event. There was a review of the TotalRecycle/Mascaro Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) Tour and an initial discussion with an EAC applicant, Mark Pilacik. The commission also discussed 2026 calendar goals.

The meeting included a presentation by AQUA Pennsylvania regarding a special study proposing the decommissioning of the Deerfield Knoll Wastewater Treatment Plant and constructing a force main to Willistown Woods WWTP. The Board also discussed and approved landowner agreements with the Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Association for tree planting in Okehocking and Serpentine Preserves. Public comments included concerns about a PECO line and transformer, overgrown grass, and a property resembling a dump site. There was also discussion regarding mowing and treatment of the lawn and riparian buffer area at Applebrook Meadows, along with questions about conditional use decisions overriding PA State Code.