CHARLESTOWN OPEN SPACE COMMISSION

MINUTES: January 15, 2003

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, February 19, 2003, 7:00 PM, Great Valley Middle School

Commission Members Attending Meeting:

Andy Motel, Chair x, William Anderson x, Alexandra Coleman x, Frank Corcoran x, Aliena Gerhard x, Mary Ellen Joos x, Bob Jones _, Kevin Kuhn x, Rosemary Philips x, Bob Roggio x, Marcia Solda x, Sue Staas x.

Minutes were accepted as presented.

I) Officers of the OS Commission were elected for 2003. They are:

a) Andy Motel - Chair

b) Bob Jones - Vice Chair

c) Sue Staas - Secretary

d) Bob Roggio - Treasurer

II) Republican Party endorsement of candidates for County Commissioner

a) Sue Staas pointed out that this is a matter of concern to the OS Commission because the champions of Growing Greener and Open Space, Karin and Colin are not running for office. The field of candidates numbers eleven. The Republican Party has not been notably supportive of Open Space; and is, of course, representative of many concerns such as lower taxes and business development. A survey of Republican voters in Chester County, funded by a coalition of Chester County Environmental Organizations, has resulted in an 86% support for Open Space; which is a plus.

b) The Commission suggested that Sue write a letter to all the Candidates and to the Party Committee reiterating our support of open space and our concern that the next group of Commissioners work to assist townships in their fight to preserve open space. Sue will draft the letter and send it to the OS Commission for edits. Andy will sign it.

III) Goals Revisited:

a) Informative booklet about Open Space in Charlestown. Andy

1) Draft is on email - Andy asked Commission members to review it and comment.

2) A completed rough draft will be presented at the February meeting.

b) Feasibility of developing a partnership to buy, ease, resell open space property: Bob Roggio

1) Bob committed to a report at the March meeting.

c) Teaching about open space in the schools. Aliena

1) Aliena has a meeting with Tom Pascocella of the GVNC next week. Will be in touch with the School. She will report in February - deadline is March 1.

d) Trails: Bob Jones

1) No report: Bob was absent with the flu.

2) Andy reported that official map seems to be on track; but because of the controversy about the trails - trails will not be shown on the map.

e) Presentation on Historic Property Maintenance: Marcia, Alix, Rosemary

1) Target: March 19. Place will be the Middle School.

2) Presenters will be Dr. Saraceno and perhaps Dale Frens

3) Advertising will be via flyer - should go out about 3 weeks in advance.

4) Committee will meet and complete the organization.

f) Tour of the Township: Rosemary, Sue & Mary Ellen

1) Date: Sunday afternoon, April 27.

2) Sue will call about buses

3) Committee will meet and tour twp to decide route

4) Tour guides will be recruited

5) Publicity will go out in Newsletter and by flyer the beginning of April.

g) Fundraising party: Marcia

1) Possibility of doing this in cooperation with another organization. Marcia and Kevin will explore the possibilities and report back in February.

h) Communication Strategy: Frank

1) Frank presented an outline of a communication plan for the Commission (attached).

2) Suggested an exhibit at the May Primary that explains the importance of Open Space in economic terms. IT IS NOT CLEAR WHO WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS EXHIBIT!

3) Commission agreed that we want Ctown citizens to be demanding the right to support the preservation of OS in our township - with their tax $$, if necessary.

IV) Additional Goals:

a) Information and education about agriculture and open space: Bill Andersen

1) Bill will work with Aliena to introduce sustainable agriculture to kids and parents

2) An article in the newsletter

3) Part of the OS exhibit at the May Primary.

b) Website: Andy

1) Andy will gatekeep material to go on the website. Please send stuff for website to Andy!

c) Grants deadlines: Sue

1) Sue will update the grants schedule.

V. Newsletter commitments

A sheet was circulated and the following people agreed to do the listed article:

Deadline is February 1, 2003

(a) Bill Andersen—an article on protecting open space via agricultural land protection

(b) Andy Motel—an article on the economics of open space with “bullets” and concrete examples

(d) Unknown (maybe Aliena?) a pamphlet on architectural preferences to give to developers

Meeting was adjourned a little late - but productivity made it worthwhile!

Respectfully submitted

Sue Staas, Secretary

See Communications Strategy, next page.

OPEN SPACE COMMISSION

First half 2003 Communications Strategy/Preliminary Options

SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES	TIMING
Historic property workshop - targeted to certain landowners??	March 19
Preparation of OSC booklet with info on conservation easements and estate planning	March
Township bus tour of environmentally sensitive (and historic!) sites for township residents with handouts.	April
Development of OSC documentation and rationale for earned income tax with expected impact and open space objectives for review by BOS	April
OSC representation with exhibit at the Polls. Copies of OSC newsletters, economic justification of OS, OSC booklet.	May
Estate planning workshop for selected landowners	June
Reinforcement of Ctown website with invitations to OSC workshops, research findings, awareness of OSC exhibit at polls etc.	ongoing
Press releases at appropriate milestones outlining culmination of OSC objectives	ongoing

CHARLESTOWN OPEN SPACE COMMISSION

(Draft) MINUTES: February 19, 2003

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, March 19, 2003, 7:00 PM, Great Valley Middle School

Commission Members Attending Meeting:

Andy Motel, Chair x, William Anderson x, Alexandra Coleman x, Frank Corcoran _, Aliena Gerhard _, Mary Ellen Joos _, Bob Jones _, Kevin Kuhn _, Rosemary Philips x, Bob Roggio x, Marcia Solda x, Sue Staas x.

Minutes were accepted as presented.

1) Commission reviewed the procedures and guidelines for the OSC involvement in easement deals/negotiations:

A) Paramount is that the land for which we negotiate easements fill the criteria of land that we have determined ie:

§ in heritage zones (see comprehensive plan)

§ Proximity to other eased land

§ View sheds,

§ Current Use

§ Watersheds

§ Woodlands

§ Meets criteria for grants (grantable)

§ Vulnerability to development

§ Willingness of the owners to consider easement and to go through the process.

B) The land must receive a certified appraisal – ratified by county and supervisors - to determine value of easement.

C) Andy pointed out that land easement projects do not lend themselves to rigid application of a set of rules. These are guidelines, whose purpose is to establish parameters and give some help to us as we struggle with prioritizing projects.

1) Andy urged other members of the OSC to join him and Kevin in developing projects.

2) As an example, Andy pointed out that the Solda property fit the following of the criteria:

§ In the Heritage Zone

§ Working farm

§ Contiguous to large parcels whose owners we hope will eventually ease

§ Property was very "grantable," especially because it crosses two townships - and in fact, the project did receive $200,000 in Chester County grant money.

§ Property was very vulnerable to development

3) Fundraising for Open Space: Stockton Illoway attended the Commission's meeting to solicit our support for the French and Pickering Creek Trust's focus on preserving the Pickering Creek Valley between Route 113 and Route 29.

A) The Trust plans to attempt to purchase contiguous easements in the Pickering Creek valley.

B) The Trust invited us to co-sponsor a Michael and Kevin Bacon concert to raise money and the OSC so moved.

C) Andy mentioned that he hopes that East Pikeland will be encouraged to support our efforts, especially since Charlestown shares boundaries with East Pikeland; and 16.5 acres of the Solda land is in East Pikeland - leading the way and encouraging more land preservation in East Pikeland.

4) Program about using historic materials to impart "historic Pennsylvania feel" to contemporary architecture is scheduled for March 19 at 8:00PM.

A) Marcia circulated draft brochure, which will be mailed to residents shortly.

B) Further discussion about venue for this event - Marcia will make one last attempt to find a suitable venue. Final Decision: Middle School.

5) Korean Church Parcel - 30 acres located across from the Christian College and Charlestown Park:

A) Paul Hogan visited the OSC meeting to suggest that the OSC work with the Pastor to investigate if money can be found to purchase an easement on this property for a trail, which would connect with the park's trail and with Charlestown Hunt's trail.

B) Hogan will send a letter to the Pastor proposing this investigation to the supervisors for their OK and then to the Pastor.

6) Communicating to the Township about Open Space and the EITax:

A) The OS newsletter will be distributed shortly. Lead article, by Charlie Philips, will be on the economics and general advantages of Open Space and will mention EIT.

B) Kevin will be sending a letter to the Township residents explaining the EIT, and setting open meetings to discuss questions, etc.

7) The Tour of the township, scheduled for April 27, will focus on Open Space. Opportunity for discussion of EIT, easements, etc., during this tour and at the preliminary meeting the week before the tour.

8) Members of the OSC (Sue, Kevin, Rosemary, Aliena) recommended that members of the OSC, the Planning Commission and the supervisors offer to attend Neighborhood meetings to discuss Open Space and EIT.

9) Andy will be forwarding copies of his booklet, which is an important handout for these events, to members of the OSC for their comments.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Staas, Secretary.

CHARLESTOWN OPEN SPACE COMMISSION

MINUTES: March 26, 2003

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, April 16, 2003, 7:00 PM, Great Valley Middle School

Commission Members Attending Meeting:

Andy Motel, Chair x, William Anderson x, Alexandra Coleman x, Frank Corcoran _, Aliena Gerhard x, Mary Ellen Joos x, Bob Jones x, Kevin Kuhn x, Rosemary Philips x, Bob Roggio x, Marcia Solda x, Sue Staas x.

Minutes were accepted as presented.

Special Event: As the first of the events sponsored by the OS Commission to raise awareness and support for Open Space, Mark Saraceno spoke about using old materials from historic barns in new construction.

Inquiry about open space conservation easement on Pikeland Road (Wentz Property): Tom & Marjorie Seibert

- Asked for collaboration with township on a conservation easement

- Discussion of value which is approximately $17,000 per acre for the easement according to County Assessments of property elsewhere in the township.

- Seiberts' willingness to ease Horseshoe trail makes this desirable. Can we couple trail preservation with preservation partnership grant?

- Bob Jones & Bob Roggio will work with Seiberts to explore the possibility of doing grants.

Township Tour - April 27

- Rosemary Philips presented plan and list of decision points needed from Commission to go ahead. The following was approved:

- April 27, 2 to 5 PM, we will use the Township Office as the "launch pad"

- We will rent mini school buses - each with a volunteer guide

- Buses will follow a prescribed route with two stop off points.

- Refreshments will be served back at the Township Office

- At commission's recommendation, charge will be raised from $5 per head, to $10 per person, $15 per couple, $25 for a family.

- Brochure will go with the OS letter, which is due to go out March 30.

- If we do not have enough to fill at least one mini bus, we will cancel the event.

The meeting was adjourned at 8PM

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Staas, Secretary

(Draft) CHARLESTOWN OPEN SPACE COMMISSION

MINUTES: April 16, 2003

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, May 21, 2003, 7:00 PM, Great Valley Middle School

Commission Members Attending Meeting:

Andy Motel, Chair x, William Anderson x, Alexandra Coleman x, Frank Corcoran x, Aliena Gerhard x, Mary Ellen Joos _, Bob Jones x, Kevin Kuhn x, Rosemary Philips x, Bob Roggio x, Marcia Solda x, Sue Staas x.

Minutes from March 19, 2003 were accepted as corrected: Marcia Solda was present; Presenter was Mark Saraceno.

Bus Tour report: Sue Staas

Sue reported that 62 folk have registered for the Bus Tour on Sunday, April 27, leaving from the Devault Post Office at 2 PM. As of the meeting, no one from the OS Commission, the Supervisors or the Planning Commission had officially registered, although Sue knew that several were coming. Reservations are essential, to be sure we have enough buses. Last date to register is Easter Monday.

The tour which will take about 2 hours with three stops (at Charlestown Park, the Rapp House and the Churches at the top of Pikeland Road Hill for the view) along the way, will introduce participants to the highlights of our beautiful and historic township. Bus Leaders and resources will be on each bus to lead the discussion and to answer questions.

There will be food and exhibits after the tour.

Horseshoe Trail: Bob Jones and Bob Roggio

After discussion, and a review of the Commission's guidelines and "focus criteria" for preserving tracts as open space, the consensus was that any OSC involvement would at a minimum depend on preservation of the Horseshoe Trail corridor. It was also noted that the deadline for Heritage Zone grant was the end of March. Next deadlines for DCNR grant are not until fall.

Hurdles to leap include:

§ Buy in from neighbors. Major condition for use of the Horseshoe Trail grant money is that the portions of trail to be preserved are linked to other intact portions of the trail.

§ Interest from involved landowners in contributing to the process - either in kind or cash.

§ An appraisal

§ Interest from a qualified land trust.

The Seiberts indicated willingness to continue with the process; so the Open Space Commission will pursue the next steps.

The meeting was adjourned at 9PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Staas, Secretary

CHARLESTOWN OPEN SPACE COMMISSION

MINUTES: May 21, 2003

NEXT MEETING: Thursday, May 29, 2003, 7:00 PM, at Aliena Gerhard's House. Aliena lives at 1020 Newcomen Road. (Take 401 West. Turn left onto Newcomen. #1020 is 4/10 mile on left. Enter the driveway from Newcomen Road and turn right. Drive to the home at the end of the driveway.

Attachments: Evaluation of Township Tour, Guidelines for prioritizing Open Space, OS Commission's Definition of Open Space.

Commission Members Attending Meeting:

Andy Motel, Chair x, William Anderson x, Alexandra Coleman _, Frank Corcoran _, Aliena Gerhard x, Mary Ellen Joos x, Bob Jones _, Kevin Kuhn x, Rosemary Philips x, Bob Roggio _, Marcia Solda _, Sue Staas x.

Minutes from April 16, 2003 were accepted.

"Discover Charlestown" Tour Report:

§ 118 participants

§ Cost to the township/OS Budget was $269.

§ Response was overwelmingly positive. (See details and feedback summary in addendum).

§ Sue and Rosemary hope we will do it again next year.

Meeting Re Earned Income Tax Scheduled for June 16:

1. Purpose of meeting will be to inform participants of benefits of Open Space, (especially the economics of OS) and how the EIT will help Charlestown achieve its goal of preserving OS.

2. Speakers who are particularly versed in economics of OS and a representative from Berkheimers, the firm that collects EIT revenues for most of the townships in the area will be invited to speak and to serve as resources.

§ We discussed that it will be vital to review again the fundamentals and the language of Open Space (such as "easements", etc.). A handout will probably include our definition of Open Space. (See addendum to these minutes for our OS definition, etc.)

§ Andy, Kevin and Aliena took responsibility for inviting the speakers.

3. It will be important to have in the audience many who already pay the EIT. Those present agreed that we will need to make phone calls to actively recruit these folk to attend.

4. We will invite the speakers for a light supper, to be served at the school, before the meeting - to meet with the Supervisors.

§ Sue will call Aquilante's and reserve the date.

5. The OS Commission agreed to meet NEXT WEEK to finalize the agenda for the meeting, etc.

Transitions:

Two landowners in the township have died recently. It was agreed that Andy would be in touch with their families.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.

Next meeting: May 29, 2003, 7 PM at Aliena Gerhard's home.

"Discover Charlestown" Tour Report

Sunday, April 27, thas a perfect day for the first Open Space Commission's "Discover Charlestown" Tour. Rosemary Philips, Sue Staas and Mary Ellen Joos were co-chairs of this most successful event.

Purpose of the tour was to introduce residents to the unique history, topography and beauty of Charlestown. Future developments and their locations and the need for preserving Open Space were addressed during the tour.

One hundred and eighteen people participated. Each of the Krapf yellow school buses (5 small and 1 large) was led by a tour host who endeavored to encourage discussion and shared information.

Three major stops included Charlestown Park, the Rapp House and Brightside Farm and Lower Pikeland Church. At the stop at the Lower Pikeland Church, we viewed the Middle Pickering Historic District and Charlestown's eased land. At each location, a Charlestown Supervisor informed participants of the significance of that area. Our thanks to supervisors Irene Ewald, Paul Hogan and Kevin Kuhn, who shared their time and their expertise. Rosemary Philips researched many historical and interesting facts about the township, organized the tour route, and produced fact sheets for the participants.

After the tour, guests were invited to enjoy refreshments at the Township Office Building.

Financial Summary:

Participants were asked to pay $5 each or $15 for a family. Total Revenue was $775.

Expenses included $720 for the buses, $124 to print the flyer, $110 for a portable restroom, $90 for food. There was no postage, because the flyer was included in the Open Space Newsletter.

Net Cost of the Tour, which was paid by the township was $269.

Evaluations of the Bus Tour:

1. 26 of a possible 56 (one per registration) were returned - 46%

2. How did the participants learn about the tour?

§ OS newsletter: 22

§ Word of Mouth: 9

§ Twp. meeting: 2

§ Website: 1

3. Did the tour meet expectations?

§ Yes: 16

§ Exceeded expectations: 10

§ Comments included:

2 enjoyed the dialogue

1 liked it, would do it again, but thought it was a bit long

1 said Thank you!

1 said: "With Rosemary as guide, who could lose?"

4. Would you participate in another township-sponsored activity?

§ Yes: 25

§ Maybe: 1

5. Check Activities that interest you:

§ Picnic at Brightside: 15 (July 4 was suggested)

§ Barn Dance: 11

§ Geology excursion 13 (one stipulated that it be with Sally Willig)

§ Walk the township trails: 20

§ Family Day at Charlestown Park: 8

§ Charlestown Historic House Tour: 25

§ Other:

Establish more trails and Equestrian zones

Repeat this bus tour

Garden Tour

Art Show

Community garden at Brightside

Creek Walk

Co-operative activity with the Nature Center

PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES FOR SELECTING SPACE TO SAVE

10) Paramount is that the land for which we negotiate easements fill the criteria of land that we have determined ie:

§ in heritage zones (see comprehensive plan)

§ Proximity to other eased land

§ View sheds,

§ Current Use

§ Watersheds

§ Woodlands

§ Meets criteria for grants (grantable)

§ Vulnerability to development

§ Willingness of the owners to consider easement and to go through the process.

11) The land must receive a certified appraisal – ratified by county and supervisors - to determine value of easement.

12) Since land easement projects do not lend themselves to rigid application of a set of rules, these are guidelines, whose purpose is to establish parameters and give some help to us as we struggle with prioritizing projects.

Definition of Open Space

At our April (2002) meeting, the Open Space Commission adopted the definitions of Protected and Unprotected Open Space as outlined in Linking Landscapes Sections 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 - subject to final approval by the Township Solicitor. Below are excerpted the pertinent words from those sections.

From Section 2.1: There is No Standard Definition for Open Space

….. There is, in fact, no one set definition for open space… Because open space planning is still a relatively young field, the planning community has not yet developed consistent definitions for many of the terms used in open space planning… In Linking Landscapes, the term "open space" is defined very broadly as any land that is not covered by buildings or pavement. This definition covers all forms of open space from a multi-acre state game land to a ten-foot wide public walking path around the edge of an industrial park….

Farm Fields and Open Space:

… Linking Landscapes classifies farmlands and undeveloped natural lands as open space because they both provide similar open space benefits, and can both be eliminated as a result of highly-consumptive development…..

Protected Versus Unprotected Open Space:

Protected Open Space:

For the purposes of Linking Landscapes, protected open space is defined as:

Land and water areas that have little or no development; are used for recreation or preserving natural or cultural resources; and are protected from development either permanently or on a long term basis."

Unprotected Open Space:

… Undeveloped open parcels that have the potential for future development are "unprotected open space."

In any open space planning effort, it is important to distinguish between protected and unprotected open space…. An open space parcel must have a formally recorded and legally binding conservation easement in order to be rigorously protected. A promise should not be regarded as rigorous protection even if it is written down.

Properties with deed restrictions are not always rigorously protected from development. Unfortunately, deed restrictions are sometimes violated or simply forgotten by new landowners, and unless there is a party present to enforce the deed restriction…. The violation will go unnoticed. …. The fact remains that deed restrictions do not provide the kind of rigorous protection that is present when a landowner donates or sells a conservation easement.

Reference: Linking Landscapes: pp 1-9 to 1-15.

CHARLESTOWN OPEN SPACE COMMISSION

(Draft) MINUTES: May 29, 2003

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, July 16, 2003, 7:00 PM, at Great Valley Middle School. THERE WILL BE NO OPEN SPACE COMMISSION MEETING IN JUNE - INSTEAD PLEASE ATTEND THE BOS SPECIAL MEETING AT 7PM ON MONDAY JUNE 16 AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL.

Commission Members Attending Me

2003 Minutes of the Open Space Commission

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, February 19, 2003, 7:00 PM, Great Valley Middle School

V. Newsletter commitments

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, March 19, 2003, 7:00 PM, Great Valley Middle School

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, April 16, 2003, 7:00 PM, Great Valley Middle School

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, May 21, 2003, 7:00 PM, Great Valley Middle School

Definition of Open Space