Update from the 4/26 CC4A Meeting

To Joe Taylor:

CC4A held a general meeting on April 26^th, 2012, and in attendance were around 30 members/supporters and two Township Commissioners (Simon and Norris). Another few dozen shared questions or concerns via email.

The meeting took on two phases; first to download the members and community on the progress of our discussions and a review of the revised plan proposal. Second phase was an open forum for those in attendance to raise questions or coincerns that we could either answer or would be relayed to you/Matrix for consideration and input. At the conclusion of the second phase, a vote was taken on the direction of the proposal and the support was unanimous for the leadership of CC4A to move ahead in our negotiations with you and ultimately, with the Township.

It is important that you know, and where possible, can address or remedy the concerns that remain, even with the favorable direction of the community. What follows are the issues/concerns, in their order of importance and frequency of mention:

1. Access and egress from the property. The Boyer Road egress remains a major concern of those living in the area. A number of them cited the already existing seven access points to Ashbourne Road. They requested either a one way entry only access and/or the possibility of an egress on the Western part of the property. Also raised was the prospect of some deceleration lanes as the entry points were approached.
2. The Cheltenham Elementary School is undergoing a new construction. Planning for their census may not have included the prospect for additional school age children in your proposed development due to legal issues associated with building new schools based on existing census rather than projected growth. Many are concerned that Matrix needs to disclose your revised plans and get input from the Cheltenham Township School District with respect to how additional students (my recall was between 50 - 70 in an earlier discussion) would impact the planning and/or reorganization of the local elementary and middle school populations. Connected to this topic was the concern over the lack of sidewalks as a safety consideration for the school children present and future but no attribution of "ownership" for that topic was made.
3. Stormwater and sanitary sewer management remain a concern due to historical flooding and sewage back-up issues along with the existing moratorium on release of any EDU's for a prospective development. Underground basins remain an expectation for managing stormwater and many remain skeptical that the Township's use of the "black snake" for surcharging would remain an acceptable option with an expectation of at least 166 sewer hook-ups.
4. CC4A leadership disclosed the intention of Matrix to "flip" the development to an outsider with more expertise in the residential arena. What that prompted was discussion regarding stipulations on the new developer that they would comply with whatever settlement was reached among the parties (Matrix/Township/CC4A) and not be permitted to expand the size or scope of the revised, agreed to and approved plans.
5. As we discussed a number of times, there is a need to recast the fiscal impact studies in light of the changes and obtain input from the Township and School Board, along with the county, to determine best ways to maximize the tax rateable while finding creative ways to handle the management and expenses associated with open space. The two commissioners in attendance indicated both concerns and willingness to work through these as long as there were provisions throughout the development phase and for some TBD time frame which allowed for shared responsibilities.

Joe, to the best of my recollection and note taking, these are the issues, questions and concerns raised even with the unanimous vote achieved as a result of the meetings we've had and outputs you've provided. So far, we have been able to arrive at mutually acceptable revisions. We think many of these can be resolved in a similar fashion.

CC4A, our Leadership and the Township appear ready to move to a next step. We hope you concur.

Regards,

Mitch Zygmund-Felt, and Joe Vescovich
CC4A Leadership