SUMMER 2001 NEWSLETTER

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Fun, Food, Entertainment Draw Thousands to West Bradford Day

Sunday, June 3rd marked the first “West Bradford Day” celebration of the new millennium.  We hope you were among the estimated 3,000 people who ventured all over the 30 acres of Broad Run Park to enjoy the festivities.

Our community-wide event featured exhibits by various Township committees, businesses, community groups, and churches.   Unique crafts such as “Paper Making” and “Greenwood Woodworking” were demonstrated and displayed for all to see.  A wide variety of delicious food was made available by several eateries in our township.  The annual quiz program enabled people to visit various groups, gain answers to informative questions, and win a “West Bradford Day” T-shirt.

The crowds were treated to outstanding musical performances by the West Bradford Elementary School Band, the Downingtown Middle School 6th Grade Band, “The McGrath Brothers,” Catherine Selin, and “Makin’ Music.”  The outstanding artistic talents of many of the students at Bradford Heights and West Bradford Elementary Schools were displayed in an art show.

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Matt Carr brought along robot “Trooper Trusty” to entertain the youngsters as they walked along the trails.  The children kept the operators and supervisors of the three “Moon Bounces,” “Giant Slide,” and pony rides extremely busy all afternoon.    Magician Jim Beck actively involved many of our children in his two magic shows, and kids also tested their knowledge of fire safety by going through the “Kids Fire & Safety Education Unit – Smoke House” trailer.

Examples of some of the many fine West Bradford Youth Association programs such as basketball and hockey were presented.

West Bradford Fire Company and the West Bradford Township Road Crew had several of their vehicles on display.  People of all ages were treated to a special landing of Brandywine Hospital’s “Sky Care” Helicopter.

West Bradford Day 2001 will be remembered for the largest turnout ever, all the helpful information that was available, the abundance of good food and entertainment, and lots and lots of smiles and laughter!    Special thanks to all the volunteers who worked so hard to make this day such a success!

West Bradford Day Groups

The following groups helped make West Bradford Day 2001 a great success.  Thanks to you all for your tremendous participation and hard work!

If your group is interested in participating in West Bradford Day 2002, please call 610-269-4174. 

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Sign Rules

As we enjoy the beauty of spring and watch the trees and flowers bud and grow, we also watch our roadsides and utility poles become cluttered with signs of varying descriptions.  Some intersections begin to look like a sign wonderland, as if someone tried to collect every imaginable sign in one place.

Various local and state laws regulate signs for safety and aesthetic reasons.  Signs placed on utility poles can injure workers.  Improperly placed signs can also be a distraction to motorists and cause accidents; especially when placed where they interfere with the line of sight at an intersection.  Signs anchored incorrectly can become a danger during high winds.

A failure to follow regulations on the use of signs can result in fines of up to $500 per day plus court costs.  The following rules will help to keep you from having a problem with signs:

 Please keep our community beautiful and help us to enjoy the flowers and trees without having to peer around signs to do so.

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Updating Major Development in West Bradford Township

The following is an update on the major developments occurring in the Township:

DuPont Property (Stock Grange Farm) – 286 lots on 525 acres located around the intersection of Chestnut Lane and Romansville Road.  The developer is Orleans Homebuilders.  The developer has applied for approval from the Board of Supervisors to proceed with an open space design alternative for the site.  The Board has issued a Master Plan approval for a design that preserves 60% of the site in open space - preserving viewsheds and natural features on the site, provides for a comprehensive pathway/sidewalk system, and creates a neighborhood park for the future residents.  This Master Plan has already been reviewed and approved by the Board of Supervisors.

Phase I (2000-06) of the development, comprising 74 acres and proposing 59 units, is currently under review by the Planning Commission.  It is located on the northeast corner of Romansville Road and Chestnut Lane.  This plan is currently under review by the Planning Commission.

Phase II (2001-02) of the development, comprising 112 acres and proposing 79 units, is currently under review by the Planning Commission.  It is located on the south side of Lone Eagle Road.  This plan is currently under review by the Planning Commission.

Highgrove (2001-03) - 22 lots on 36 acres located off of Hall Road opposite Sherwood Drive.  The developer is GenTerra.  The Planning Commission has reviewed two Preliminary Plan submissions and recommended denial of both. The Board of Supervisors denied the first submission of the plan in January and the second in October.  

The applicant has submitted a revised Preliminary Plan to the Planning Commission for review.  The site has significant development constraints that the applicant and the Planning Commission are discussing.  The applicant has applied to the Zoning Hearing Board for a Special Exception to develop a road within a floodplain and to the Board of Supervisors for a Conditional Use to develop a road on steep slopes.

Pryor (2001-01) – 8 lots on 45 acres located off the end of the cul-de-sac on Crestmont Drive.  The developer is Grouse & Pheasant, Inc.  The Planning Commission has reviewed a Preliminary Plan submission with 16 lots and recommended denial. The Board of Supervisors denied the plan in October. 

The applicant has submitted a revised Preliminary Plan, showing fewer lots, to the Planning Commission for discussion.  The site has significant development constraints that the applicant and the Planning Commission are discussing.

Bradford/Stargazers Village (SK2000-08) – The Sketch Plan proposes a mixed-use development of 121 acres adjacent to Romansville.  The developer is GenTerra.  The development is divided into two tracts.  The western tract is a proposed single-family development of 57 acres connecting to Romans Village.  The eastern tract is a proposed village development of 63 acres.

The Planning Commission is working with the applicant to integrate the development into the village character of Romansville.

CMR Development (SK2000-01) – The 32 acre property is located adjacent to East Fallowfield Township on South Bailey Road north of Fawn Lane.  The applicant has submitted Sketch Plans showing various single-family development options.  

Southview (SK2001-04) -The Sketch Plan proposes a single-family development of 38 units on 65 acres.  It is located on north side of Shadyside Road near the intersection with Marshallton-Thorndale Road.  The owner is Robert Hodge of Highland Orchards.  The developer is GenTerra.  

Copies of all subdivision and land development plans are available for public review during business hours at the Township Administration Building.  Interested residents are encouraged to attend the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission meetings when developments are being discussed.  The Board of Supervisors meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month at 8:30 P.M. at the Township Administration Building.  The Planning Commission meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month at 8:00 P.M. at the Township Administration Building.  Meeting agendas are generally available the afternoon prior to the meeting.  You may contact the Township Office at (610) 269-4174 to see if a particular development is scheduled for discussion, or you may look at our web site for the agenda (www.westbradford.org).

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Township Experiences Sharp Increase in Building Permits

Within the past few months we have experienced an abnormal increase in the number of building permit applications that our office has to review.  Our Codes Department has hired additional staff and started some new procedures to deal more effectively with this influx.

The normal permit turn-around time averages two weeks.  However, this summer the average will be three to four weeks.  All permits will be reviewed in the order that they are received.  Permits with incomplete information must be resubmitted behind any newer applications.  Building inspections will be scheduled on first come first served basis according to our staff’s available slots.  We are no longer considering requests for next day or same day reinspections.  Requests for specific times and/or dates will not be considered.  There will be no exceptions to this process until the number of applications slow.

We realize the stress experienced by many people when having a building constructed or renovations done.  Please bear with us when dealing with our new procedures.  Some things that can be done by you to help us speed up your application include: 

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Did You Know?

West Bradford Township has a connection to the movie classic, “Casablanca.”  What is it?

Answer to Did You Know?
Actor Claude Rains, who earned an Oscar Nomination for supporting actor when he portrayed Louis in the film, lived in West Bradford Township.  Mr. Rains called Chester County his home and owned the Stock Grange Farm on Romansville Road from 1941 to 1958.  Kennedy, Joseph S. “From film to farm: Claude Rains.” The Philadelphia Inquirer. May 20, 2001.

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Be Neighborly

We all enjoy going for a summer stroll.  That is - until you step in pet waste that a careless owner has not taken the time to pick up.  All Township parks and several homeowners’ association open spaces have “mutt-mitt” dispensers.  Please take the time to use them and clean up after your pet.  Thirty seconds of your time can keep a summer stroll enjoyable for your neighbors.

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See and Be Seen

If you have a problem with seeing oncoming traffic when exiting your driveway, then most likely oncoming traffic can’t see you either.  Plantings, hedges, and trees on either side of your driveway will cause this problem.  Most people don’t realize that it’s as important for oncoming traffic to see you as it is for you to see the oncoming traffic.

We recommend that you trim all plant growth that interferes with your line of sight.  If hedges are used for privacy or sound barriers, you should consider moving them back from the road to an area that will not interfere with your line of sight.   Additionally, it is a violation of Municipal regulations to plant within the street right-of-way.   The public right-of-way extends beyond the paved portion of the street.  The right-of-way varies on some roads, but in most instances it is approximately 12 feet from the edge of the road.

Our Road Crew’s summer mowing program cuts back vegetation within the right-of-way.  They also cut back clear sight areas around intersections and remove large trees that block the line of sight.

However, we urge you - for your safety and your neighbor’s - to look at your own driveway next time you’re leaving your house and coming home.  If you see vegetation interfering with your sight, take the time to correct the problem.

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Pool & Hot Tub Regulations

For safety reasons, the Township requires barriers that completely enclose any swimming pool, hot tub, or spa that is over two feet deep.  Barriers for swimming pools are usually fences and barriers for portable hot tubs are usually safety covers.  Fixed hot tubs and spas, such as those permanently mounted in a deck, are treated as pools. 

Safety barriers must be at least four feet high measured from the outside of the fence and non-climbable.  These fences must be at least five feet from property lines.  All exterior entrances into the area must have self-closing and locking gates.  All doors leading from a residence to the pool must have audible alarms.  Aboveground pools having steps or ladders of any kind, or whose sides are less than four feet from ground level, must have a code compliant barrier.  

Hot tub and spa safety covers must be UL approved and bear a label indicating compliance with “ASTM 1346-91” specifications.

The codes and requirements for these barriers are very specific and extend beyond the scope of this article.  We suggest that you contact our Codes Department at (610) 269-4174 and speak to them before purchasing or installing a pool, hot tub, or spa.

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Prevent the Spread of the West Nile Virus

he West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne disease that causes a severe form of encephalitis.  Last year three crows tested positive in Chester County for the virus.  No trace of the virus was found in West Bradford Township.  This year the County Health Department has begun a program to prevent and control the disease.

They are especially concerned with identifying and getting rid of mosquito breeding sites.  Possible breeding sites include:

They recommend that you identify potential breeding sites on your property and remove the smaller, man-made items that could be breeding sites.  If you have concerns about larger potential breeding sites, contact Mr. Andrew Worth of the Chester County Health Department at (610) 344-6238.  Visit their website at www.chesco.org for more detailed information about the virus.

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Recycling Reminders

Brush and yard waste may not be placed in your regular trash and is not accepted at the municipal campus.  Open burning is discouraged in the township.  We recommend that this waste be composted on your property, if possible.  Contact the Chester County Health Department at (610) 344-5937 or www.chesco.org for more composting information. 

Brush and yard waste that cannot be composted is accepted for drop-off at the Lanchester Landfill in Honey Brook.  Call them at (610) 273-3771 for times open, location, and exact waste taken.  The Township’s leaf collection program is part of your regular trash payment and will continue this fall.  See our next newsletter or website for details. 

Heavy Cardboard is not accepted with your curbside paper recycling.  The Downingtown Paper Mill has closed and no longer accepts cardboard.  The Shyrock Mill in Downingtown accepts cardboard.  It is located on Wallace Avenue (Rt. 282) between Pennsylvania Avenue and the Downingtown Bypass (Rt. 30).  Their phone number is (610) 269-0115.  The drop off is only in operation when the plant is operating.  The plant is generally operating before 1 PM on weekdays and on limited weekends.

Place all items in the yellow dumpster on the side of the building.  They accept newsprint, magazines, cardboard, and  "junk mail".  No waxed paper products are accepted (for example, milk or orange juice cartons, frozen vegetable boxes, etc.). 

While we encourage heavy cardboard recycling, it can also be disposed of in your regular trash.  Light cardboard (such as cereal boxes and soda cartons) is accepted with your curbside paper collection.

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