The Schuylkill Township Board of Supervisors held a special meeting on July 11, 2011 at 7:00 pm prevailing time at the Township hall at 111 Valley Park Road, in said Township. The purpose of the meeting was to vote on Resolution 2011-09 to accept the Conservation Easement and the Public Access Agreement for the Phoenixville Country Club. Board members in attendance were Mrs. Barbara Cohen, Chair, Mr. Jim Morrisson, Mr. Fred Parry and Mrs. Laurie Williams. Mr. Vutz, vice-chair was not in attendance due to the Valley Forge Sewer Authority meeting the same evening. Also present was the Township Solicitor Mr. William Brennan and Mr. Bob Mauch, Chair of the Open Space Committee.
Mrs. Williams questioned why Mr. Morrisson was not recusing himself from voting on the issue this evening since his property is adjacent to the Phoenixville Country Club. Mr. Brennan stated that he had opined about this issue in 2010 when discussions with the country club began last year. Mr. Brennan stated that it is legal for Mr. Morrisson to take action on this matter. Mrs. Williams stated that she wanted a copy of the opinion this evening. Mrs. Williams stated that a member of Mr. Brennan’s law firm also lived adjacent to the country club.
Mrs. Handforth questioned what changes have been made to the conservation easement document since the last meeting; what will the change in the taxes be on the property once the conservation easement is completed; and why the July 21 settlement date is set in stone. Mr. Brennan stated the changes made to the conservation easement were to the benefit of the Township in that the country club will need to come to the Township to request any expansion within the clubhouse area. Along with that the “deemed approval” language was stricken from the document. Lastly, the country club will be allowed to place about 30,000 square feet of impervious surface such as walking trails in the conserved areas. The square footage had been previously 20,000 square feet.
The Township Manager stated that the country club pays approximately $4,200 in Township Real Estate Tax a year. The change in the amount of tax to be paid will not be known until the property is reassessed by Chester County after the conservation easement is finalized. Mrs. Cohen stated that the July 21 date was the date that all parties could attend the closing on the conservation easement. Mrs. Cohen stated that she see this transaction as a win-win situation that is beneficial to everyone.
Mrs. Williams made a comment that according to a Township survey the “overwhelming majority” of residents want community parks. Mr. Morrisson countered saying “that is not true”. Mrs. Williams stated that she is in favor of the conservation easement for the following reasons: 1) protects view shed; 2) less traffic than if it were developed; 3) reduce the burden on the school district; 4) highly motivated seller; and 5)preserve open space. She is against it because: 1) the Township could protect Meadowbrook & the Reeves properties; 2) this transaction only benefits the landowners and not all taxpayers of the Township; 3) residents want active and not passive recreation and 4) this purchase is giving millions to millionaires
On motion by Mr. Morrisson, seconded by Mr. Parry, and passed, with Mrs. Williams dissenting, the Board of Supervisors approved Resolution 2011-09 accepting the conservation easement and the public access agreement for the Phoenixville Country Club.
There being no further business for discussion, the Board adjourned the meeting at 7:20 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary R. Bird
Township Manager