Meeting Minutes

NEW HOPE BOROUGH COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
180 WEST BRIDGE STREET
JULY 9, 2007

PRESENT: Richard Hirschfield, Sharyn Keiser, Ed Duffy, Geri Delevich, Claire Shaw, Randall Flager, Rey Velasco, Mayor Larry Keller, Borough Manager John Burke, Borough Solicitor T. J. Walsh, and Sergeant John Goss.

MAYOR’S REPORT

MAYOR KELLER presented a document to Council showing a planned schedule for replacement of police department vehicles.

Geri Delevich thanked the Mayor for providing this information. .

Richard Hirschfield stated that if there are any questions on this schedule, a discussion could take place at the next regular meeting in August.

Councillor Rey Velasco arrived at the meeting.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Richard Hirschfield announced that there was no Executive Session before tonight’s meeting.

Richard Hirschfield announced that Council would go through the entire agenda including public participation and address the conditional use for Glassman as the last item. The meeting cut off time will be 10:30 p.m. If all the testimony is not heard, the conditional use hearing will be continued at the August Council meeting.

Richard Hirschfield asked for a motion to approve sending a letter to local state legislators supporting a statewide smoking band.

Sharyn Keiser moved to approve the letter and Ed Duffy seconded.

Richard Hirschfield asked for comment by Council and the public.

Elaine McNealy of North Main Street stated that she disagrees with the smoking ban because she feels that government does not have the right to legislate behavior and cited prohibition as an example.

Bob Gerenser agreed with Ms. McNealy and urged Council not to send the letter unless Council agrees to amend the local ordinance prohibiting smoking to allow restaurants to choose whether they wish to be smoking or non-smoking establishments.

Randall Flager commented that the proposed statewide ban does not stop smoking and is not like prohibition. It just protects patrons and employees who do not smoke from second hand smoke.

The motion passed unanimously.

Richard Hirschfield asked Council and the public if anyone has any questions or wishes to discuss anything on the consent agenda.

Richard Hirschfield asked for consideration of approving the consent agenda, as follows.

A. Consideration of approving payment of accounts payable for July 9, 2007, in the amount of $189,422.82; of payroll for June 20, 2007 in the amount of $48,222.14; and of payroll for July 4, 2007 in the amount of $50,941.02.
B. Consideration of approving the minutes of the June 13, 2007 public meeting of Borough Council.
C. Consideration of authorizing the solicitation of bids for the 2007 Paving Program.
D. Consideration of approving a proposal by Burton and Browse LLP for the 2007 audit of borough financial statements.
E. Consideration of issuing a Certificate of Appropriateness, as recommended by the Historic Architectural Review Board, for:
(1) 35 North Main Street, by Walter Hazzard, for exterior lighting fixtures, general renovations, windows and doors, partial second story addition, and first floor stair tower; and
(2) 320 West Mechanic Street, by Anthony Feo, for installation of a fence.

Randall Flager moved to approve the consent agenda, and Claire Shaw seconded.

Richard Hirschfield asked for comment by Council and the public.

The motion passed unanimously.

MANAGER’S REPORT

John Burke recommended approval of a representation agreement with Attorney Dan Cohen to represent the Borough in cable television franchise renewal negotiations with Comcast. This is an agreement similar to the 2006 intermunicipal agreement in which the Borough participated to negotiate a cable television franchise agreement with Verizon. We now have an opportunity to participate with other Bucks municipalities to negotiate a new agreement with Comcast. The cost of participation is based on population, with New Hope’s estimated share at $550.00. The total cost to the group of municipalities is in the range of $20,000-$22,000.

Sharyn Keiser moved to approve the Borough’s participation in this project, and Rey Velasco seconded.

Richard Hirschfield asked for comment by Council and the public.

The motion passed unanimously.

LAND USE AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION REPORT

Ed Duffy asked Mr. Jorge Fernandez to begin his presentation of a sketch plan for certain properties on Waterloo Street in the RB Zoning District.

Mr. Fernandez stated that the last three floods inspired this project idea and that the project would beautify the whole street, which is “almost a semi-blighted street.”

Peter Stampfl of Stampl Hartke Associates, LLC, the project architect, described the project as follows:

-A total of 17 town homes built in 6, 8 and 3 units.
-Two parking spaces per town home
-Construction above the floodplain
-Victorian style architecture
-Front porches, rear porches and balconies
-View corridors between buildings to river
-Three stories with windows at attic level for lofts
- Sidewalks and lighting.

Council members Richard Hirschfield, Sharyn Keiser, and Randall Flager expressed concerns about the proposed townhouse use, building in the floodplain, impervious coverage, density, and the number of stories. The applicant would need permission from HARB to allow demolition of the existing structures before any further discussion could take place.

Rey Velasco asked if the applicant owns all of the properties included in this proposal.

Geri Delevich asked if the apartment building on S. Main Street owned by Mr. Fernandez is included as part of this project.

Mr. Fernandez stated that the inclusion of this building has been discussed and, in any event, this building would be refaced.

Mr. Fernandez stated that he owns 3 properties and 2 are under agreement.

Richard Hirschfield stated this project would require substantial zoning relief.

Richard Hirschfield asked for a discussion of Zoning Hearing Board appeal no. 312, submitted by Samuel and Hannah Cannon, of 109 Hidden Court. The application involves a deck.

Randall Flager moved for Council to take no position on this application before the Zoning Hearing Board, and Sharyn Keiser seconded.

Richard Hirschfield asked for comment by Council and the public.

Ed Duffy stated that the Zoning Officer recommended that the application be opposed, but stated that he agrees that Council does not have to take action on this application.

The motion was adopted unanimously.

Richard Hirschfield asked for a motion to approve a request by Canal Street Development to amend a condition of plan approval to change the due date of a second $5,000 per unit payment from the issuance of a building permit to the issuance of a temporary Certificate of Occupancy or, in any case, not later than December 31, 2008. Mr. Hirschfield stated that the total voluntary contribution is $200,000, adding that this is a cash flow issue and a hardship for the developer.

Sharyn Keiser moved to approve the change, and Geri Delevich seconded.

Richard Hirschfield asked if there was any comment.

Joe Knox commented that the Borough should take no action to prolong this project.

Ed Duffy commented that the work seems to be moving right along at a good pace. It is just that the market is down and the developer needs additional time. Mr. Duffy stated that Council should be flexible because the contribution is voluntary.

The motion passed unanimously.

Ed Duffy moved to waive the procedural requirements of the subdivision and land development ordinance to allow submission of zoning and construction permit applications for a stair tower and second story addition by Walter Hazzard for T.M.P. No.- 27-10-20, located at 35 North Main Street in the CC zoning district. Rey Velasco seconded.

Richard Hirschfield asked if there was any public comment.

The motion passed unanimously.

PARK, RECREATION AND REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE REPORT

Sharyn Keiser moved to authorize the Park and Recreation Board to install a banner across East Bridge Street from July 17 through August 29, 2007 and from October 4 through November 16, 2007 promoting the New Hope Farmers’ Market.

Randall Flager seconded.

Richard Hirschfield asked for public comment.

Joe Balderston stated that the businesses at the market do not pay the local business privilege tax and that the town is already cluttered with banners. Mr. Balderston expressed support for the market, but stated that the market should be promoted with funds provided by the farm vendors.

Mayor Keller commented that there are two businesses at the Farmers’ Market that pay the business privilege tax.

Sharyn Keiser stated that the purpose of the farmers’ market is to promote all local businesses in New Hope.

VISITORS’ CENTER REPORT

Rey Velasco announced the Visitor’s Center report for the month of June.

Visitors 3718
Incoming Calls 445
Brochures 34
Sales $468.15
Donations $542.83

Geri Delevich moved to approve the following requests by the New Hope Chamber of Commerce, and Claire Shaw seconded.

A. For a Renaissance Weekend, August 4th &5th: close Ferry Landing Park on August 4th from 11 A.M. to 7 P.M.; close Ferry Landing Park on August 5th from Noon to 5 P.M.; close West Mechanic St. on August 4th from 11 A.M. to 8 P.M.; close West Mechanic St. on August 5th from Noon to 5 P.M.; and permit musicians and entertainers to perform at various locations; and

B. For Labor Day Weekend, September 2nd & 3rd: close Ferry
Landing Park on Sept. 2nd from 11 A.M. to 7 P.M.; close Ferry Landing Park on September 3rd from Noon to 5 P.M.; and permit musicians and entertainers to perform at various locations.

Richard Hirschfield asked for comment by Council and the public.

The motion passed unanimously.

Randall Flager suggested that the Visitors’ Center report should be distributed to Council, but not included as an agenda item at future public meetings.

Geri Delevich commented that Dan Brooks was not in attendance to present his report on New Hope Celebrates.

Geri Delevich wished Doro Kerr a Happy Birthday.

Richard Hirschfield asked for public comment before the conditional use hearing begins.

The Borough Solicitor reopened the conditional use hearing for the application of Joe and Joni Glassman for 1 North Main Street. The Glassman’s seek permission to establish at restaurant use at this location. A copy of the complete transcript of this hearing is attached to these minutes.

ADJOURNMENT