The Planning Commission held their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in the Municipal Building at 253 Municipal Dr. and via Zoom as a virtual meeting. A public notice was published in the Daily Local News on December 18, 2024.
The agenda was posted on the Township website and at the Township building on March 12, 2025. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 P.M. by Adam Thomas. Salute to the Flag.
Roll Call – In attendance were Adam Thomas, William Schew, Michael Irwin, Jim Benko and John Woodcock. Ken Simon and Tom Parr were not present.
Township Staff and Consultants in attendance were Don Vymazal, Township Manager; Raymond Stackhouse, Director of Building and Life Safety; Board of Commissioners’ Liaison to the Planning Commission Lorraine Tindaro; and Elizabeth Nagy, Planning Commission Secretary.
Approval of February 18, 2025, meeting Minutes- Mr. Thomas made a motion to amend the draft minutes to correct the spelling of Cheryl Spaulding’s name on pages one and five and approve. Being no questions or discussion Mr. Thomas entertained a motion for approval, moved by Jim Benko and seconded by William Schew. With no objections the motion carries 5-0.
Agenda items- First Blackhorse-1401 Blackhorse Hill Rd.-Zoning text amendment – Appearing on behalf of the applicant is Brian Nagle of MacElree Harvey, attorney for the applicant and the applicant. The applicant appeared on the February agenda for a zoning text amendment and asked to return tonight with the undeveloped parcels that the Zoning Text Amendment could apply to. Mr. Nagel identified six parcels that would be affected by the rezoning to R2. The applicant feels that this would benefit the residents on Blackhorse Hill Rd. and Jonathan Dr. because they would bring public water and sewer to the area. Mr. Nagel proposed creating the R2A zoning district to protect Lloyd Farm from ever having townhouses built. R2A would allow multi-family townhouses subject to code 155-154 and density to 2.5 dwelling units/gross acre. He stated that the parcel cannot be developed the way it is zoned currently. Mr. Thomas argued that it could be done, it would just not be as cost effective for the applicant. There was discussion on whether creating a zoning district should be done by the Planning Commission or the Zoning Task Force. The R2A zoning would be used on site by site, project by project basis. The applicant would need to ask for that zoning specifically. Mr. Schew entertained a motion to recommend the support of the re-zoning of the two parcels to R2A. Moved by John Woodcock and seconded by Jim Benko. Mr. Thomas and Mr. Irwin oppose. With no objections the motion carries 3-2.
Chester County Municipal Park and Trail Improvement Grant for Beaver Creek Segment 5 – Mr. Stackhouse gave a brief overview of the grant and the intent to connect the trails throughout the Township. The amount allotted to Caln Township would be 1 million dollars. Mr. Thomas entertained a motion to accept the Planning Commissions signing of the acceptance letter. Moved by William Schew and seconded by Mike Irwin. With no objections the motion carries 5-0.
DCNR Community Conservation Partnership Program (C2P2) – Mr. Stackhouse gave a brief overview of the program, a grant for Beaver Creek Trail. Mr. Thomas entertained a motion to accept the Planning Commissions
signing of the acceptance letter. Moved by Jim Benko and seconded by Mike Irwin. With no objections the motion carries 5-0.
2025 CFA PA Small Water & Sewer Project Grant Application – Mr. Stackhouse gave a brief overview of the grant for Dogwood and Scott Lanes, phase 2. Mr. Thomas entertained a motion to accept the Planning Commissions signing of the acceptance letter. Moved by John Woodcock and seconded by Jim Benko. William Schew abstained. With no objections the motion carries 4-0.
Resolution 2025-05- Establishing Rules and Procedures for the Conduct of Remote and Hybrid Public Meetings – Don Vymazal gave a brief overview of the resolution. Mr. Stackhouse noted Section 4, part 6 regarding the recording of the hearings. The Commission could like to change the language of “shall be recorded” to “may be recorded” since the Planning Commission has never recorded their hearings. Mr. Thomas entertained a motion to adopt the hybrid resolution Establishing Rules and Procedures for the Conduct of Remote and Hybrid Public Meetings as adopted by the Board of Commissioners. Moved by William Schew and seconded by Jim Benko. With no objections the motion carries 5-0.
Communications – None
Discussion Items – Caln Clean up weekend will be March 29-March 30, 2025. The PC members agreed to select a different date in the future to participate and coordinate with Abbey.
Old Business – None
Upcoming Developments – Main Line Health made a change to their plan per PennDot. PennDot received a scoping application for the old Rite Aid location by Sheetz, a sketch plan is expected in the near future; there have been inquiries into the old Burger King property; Hills at Thorndale Woods are building their model homes; The Farmhouse are working on securing bonds and are getting ready to resubmit and have recorded; and Jefferis Family Farm was working on easements with Midas.
New Business- None
Best Planning Practices
Adjournment – With no further agenda items or Commission business, Mr. Thomas made a motion to adjourn the meeting, moved by William Schew and seconded by Mike Irwin. Poll of members: with no objections the motion passes 5–0. The meeting adjourned at 8:17 P.M.
Subdivision and Land Development Timeclock Dates:
Cohen-4109 Lincoln Hwy-Land Development-May 31, 2025
To the best of my knowledge, this summarizes the minutes of March 18, 2025, Planning Commission
meeting.
Respectfully,
Elizabeth Nagy
The agenda was posted on the Township website and at the Township building on March 12, 2025. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 P.M. by Adam Thomas. Salute to the Flag.
Roll Call – In attendance were Adam Thomas, William Schew, Michael Irwin, Jim Benko and John Woodcock. Ken Simon and Tom Parr were not present.
Township Staff and Consultants in attendance were Don Vymazal, Township Manager; Raymond Stackhouse, Director of Building and Life Safety; Board of Commissioners’ Liaison to the Planning Commission Lorraine Tindaro; and Elizabeth Nagy, Planning Commission Secretary.
Approval of February 18, 2025, meeting Minutes- Mr. Thomas made a motion to amend the draft minutes to correct the spelling of Cheryl Spaulding’s name on pages one and five and approve. Being no questions or discussion Mr. Thomas entertained a motion for approval, moved by Jim Benko and seconded by William Schew. With no objections the motion carries 5-0.
Agenda items- First Blackhorse-1401 Blackhorse Hill Rd.-Zoning text amendment – Appearing on behalf of the applicant is Brian Nagle of MacElree Harvey, attorney for the applicant and the applicant. The applicant appeared on the February agenda for a zoning text amendment and asked to return tonight with the undeveloped parcels that the Zoning Text Amendment could apply to. Mr. Nagel identified six parcels that would be affected by the rezoning to R2. The applicant feels that this would benefit the residents on Blackhorse Hill Rd. and Jonathan Dr. because they would bring public water and sewer to the area. Mr. Nagel proposed creating the R2A zoning district to protect Lloyd Farm from ever having townhouses built. R2A would allow multi-family townhouses subject to code 155-154 and density to 2.5 dwelling units/gross acre. He stated that the parcel cannot be developed the way it is zoned currently. Mr. Thomas argued that it could be done, it would just not be as cost effective for the applicant. There was discussion on whether creating a zoning district should be done by the Planning Commission or the Zoning Task Force. The R2A zoning would be used on site by site, project by project basis. The applicant would need to ask for that zoning specifically. Mr. Schew entertained a motion to recommend the support of the re-zoning of the two parcels to R2A. Moved by John Woodcock and seconded by Jim Benko. Mr. Thomas and Mr. Irwin oppose. With no objections the motion carries 3-2.
Chester County Municipal Park and Trail Improvement Grant for Beaver Creek Segment 5 – Mr. Stackhouse gave a brief overview of the grant and the intent to connect the trails throughout the Township. The amount allotted to Caln Township would be 1 million dollars. Mr. Thomas entertained a motion to accept the Planning Commissions signing of the acceptance letter. Moved by William Schew and seconded by Mike Irwin. With no objections the motion carries 5-0.
DCNR Community Conservation Partnership Program (C2P2) – Mr. Stackhouse gave a brief overview of the program, a grant for Beaver Creek Trail. Mr. Thomas entertained a motion to accept the Planning Commissions
signing of the acceptance letter. Moved by Jim Benko and seconded by Mike Irwin. With no objections the motion carries 5-0.
2025 CFA PA Small Water & Sewer Project Grant Application – Mr. Stackhouse gave a brief overview of the grant for Dogwood and Scott Lanes, phase 2. Mr. Thomas entertained a motion to accept the Planning Commissions signing of the acceptance letter. Moved by John Woodcock and seconded by Jim Benko. William Schew abstained. With no objections the motion carries 4-0.
Resolution 2025-05- Establishing Rules and Procedures for the Conduct of Remote and Hybrid Public Meetings – Don Vymazal gave a brief overview of the resolution. Mr. Stackhouse noted Section 4, part 6 regarding the recording of the hearings. The Commission could like to change the language of “shall be recorded” to “may be recorded” since the Planning Commission has never recorded their hearings. Mr. Thomas entertained a motion to adopt the hybrid resolution Establishing Rules and Procedures for the Conduct of Remote and Hybrid Public Meetings as adopted by the Board of Commissioners. Moved by William Schew and seconded by Jim Benko. With no objections the motion carries 5-0.
Communications – None
Discussion Items – Caln Clean up weekend will be March 29-March 30, 2025. The PC members agreed to select a different date in the future to participate and coordinate with Abbey.
Old Business – None
Upcoming Developments – Main Line Health made a change to their plan per PennDot. PennDot received a scoping application for the old Rite Aid location by Sheetz, a sketch plan is expected in the near future; there have been inquiries into the old Burger King property; Hills at Thorndale Woods are building their model homes; The Farmhouse are working on securing bonds and are getting ready to resubmit and have recorded; and Jefferis Family Farm was working on easements with Midas.
New Business- None
Best Planning Practices
Adjournment – With no further agenda items or Commission business, Mr. Thomas made a motion to adjourn the meeting, moved by William Schew and seconded by Mike Irwin. Poll of members: with no objections the motion passes 5–0. The meeting adjourned at 8:17 P.M.
Subdivision and Land Development Timeclock Dates:
Cohen-4109 Lincoln Hwy-Land Development-May 31, 2025
To the best of my knowledge, this summarizes the minutes of March 18, 2025, Planning Commission
meeting.
Respectfully,
Elizabeth Nagy
