Embedded Files
This chronology of events is created from documents received under Right to Know (RTK) requests filed with Silver Spring Township. This information is being shared with residents to promote transparency.
October 6, 2020
October 6, 2020
Email @ 5:27 PM
From: Laura Brown [member of Board of Supervisors]
To: Carl Machamer, Nancy Konhaus Griffie; David Lenker; Harry Kotzmoyer [other Township Supervisors]
Cc: Theresa Eberly [former Township Manager]; Chris Guarino [former Township Land Planning & Development Manager]
Subject: Yorlets Farms
I had an idea regarding the Yorlets farm and I wanted to run it by you all.
Last year, during one of the Comp Plan meetings, Mr. Yorlets was speaking to the BoS about the zoning on his property and Dave mentioned something about having some type of a buffer between the expected industrial use and the existing residences to the east of the parcel. I remember Dave specifically saying that it might be a good location for a hobby farmer to own part of the farm and that would also serve a dual purpose as a buffer.
Based on Dave's reference to a hobby farm, I came up with the attached parcel rendering. My idea is that if we subdivide the parcel as shown, the portion in orange could be preserved through the land preservation program. This would be putting a conservation easement on the 40 acres so that Mr. Yorlets could then sell it to a hobby farmer. The parcel in purple would be sold to a developer for an industrial use.
I shared my idea with Chris and he spoke with Mr. Yorlets who said that he would be willing to meet with me to discuss. However, we never had a chance for a meeting because of the pandemic.
Here's why I think my idea could be a benefit to an industrial buyer:
1. We take the Trindle Spring Run flooding situation entirely out of the equation. The purchaser no longer has to deal with a stream and its flood plain on the property. They would have access to the railroad and could still have two entrances (shown as red dots) to the property via Keener Drive and via the entrance to Triple J Group (road shown in black) whose business is immediately adjacent to the farm.
2. The buyer would no longer need to worry about installing any type of buffer (berms or whatever) between their use and the residences to the east. The acreage of the small farm would serve as the buffer.
Here's why I think it could benefit Mr. Yorlets:
1. Mr. Yorlets would collect some money from the Township for the purchase of a conservation easement on these 40 acres within probably about a year. If the parcel was to appraise for $3,500 an acre (just a guess), he could receive $140,000.
2. He would still own the farm parcel and could then sell to a hobby farmer.
3. The industrial parcel could very well sell more quickly once the impediments with the stream are removed.
Here's why I think it could benefit the Township:
1. We preserve some farmland.
2. We potentially keep a historic house from being demolished. (Chris has been at the home and told me that while it is a mess inside, the structure itself is sound.)
3. A natural buffer is created between an industrial use and residentially zoned areas.
4. An opportunity for the Township to complete MS4 work on Trindle Springs Run could be written into the conservation easement.
Let me know what you think.
Attachment:
October 13, 2020
October 13, 2020
Board of Supervisors Special Meeting: Zoning Ordinance Update
November 12, 2020
November 12, 2020
Email @ 5:34 PM
From: Laura Brown [Township Supervisor]
To: Theresa Eberly [former Township Manager]; Carl Machamer [Township Supervisor]
Subject: Re: Zoning Changes
I put together the attached maps & spreadsheet. I just finished and I want to go over the spreadsheet again tomorrow to verify its accuracy.
I did however want to give you both an early look to see if you thought this might be something helpful for the BoS to have hard copies of in the packets tomorrow?
Because of my limited mapping capabilities, I broke the Draft Zoning Map into North and South sections. On those maps, I have outlined and numbered all of the zoning changes that are proposed. The numbers on the maps link to the spreadsheet where I list the Current and Draft zone, the FLU designation along with any type of reasoning for this change and whether we discussed in Zoning Update Committee or any other identifying information.
These maps are meant to be used side by side with the spreadsheet so you look up a number on the map and then match it with the number on the spreadsheet which gives you a bunch of information.
What do you think?
Attachments: Zoning Changes Spreadsheet.xlsx
SST North Parcel Changes.png
SST South Parcel Changes.png
November 13, 2020
November 13, 2020
Email @ 7:19 AM
From: Theresa Eberly [former Township Manager]
To: Chris Guarino [former Township Land Planning & Development Manager]; Carolyn Yagle [Environmental Planning & Design]
Subject: FW: Zoning Map Changes Document
Laura is planning on sending the attached to the BoS. In theory the concept is good. I just don’t know how accurate the information is that is on spreadsheet. Is this useful?
Attachment: Zoning Changes Spreadsheet.xlsx
Email @ 7:49 AM
From: Carolyn Yagle [Environmental Planning & Design]
To: Theresa Eberly [former Township Manager]; Chris Guarino [former Township Land Planning & Development Manager]
Subject: Re: Zoning Changes
Useful - yes
How would you like to handle question marks in reason column? Some are because it’s part of an access area (RR), some are part of lot owner requests, etc.
Attachment: Zoning Changes Spreadsheet.xlsx
Email @ 8:09 AM
From: Theresa Eberly [former Township Manager]
To: Carolyn Yagle [Environmental Planning & Design]; Chris Guarino [former Township Land Planning & Development Manager]
Subject: FW: Zoning Changes
Chris and I took a quick look at it and made comments that we are sending her. Not enough time to completely digest but tried to clear up a few incorrect comments.
Attachment: Zoning Changes Spreadsheet.xlsx
Email @ 9:06 AM
From: Laura Brown [Township Supervisor]
To: Theresa Eberly [former Township Manager]; Carl Machamer [Township Supervisor]
Subject: Zoning Map Changes Document
I updated the Zoning Changes Spreadsheet. It is now final. I will suggest that these docs be printed out and put in our packets for tonight. You will need two map size print outs per Supervisor and one spreadsheet per Supervisor. (I've attached a Word doc with the preferred sizes of the maps & spreadsheet.) The idea is that you can lay out both maps one on top of the other and then use the spreadsheet to match up the reference numbers with the numbers on the maps.
I have used bold red font for any questions I had. Perhaps these would be good discussion items for the BoS at the Zoning Public Meeting on Tuesday evening?
Let me know if you have any questions.
Email @ 9:30 AM
From: Theresa Eberly [former Township Manager]
To: Chris Guarino [former Township Land Planning & Development Manager]
Subject: Fwd: Zoning Map Changes Document
Here is Laura’s reply. Willetta can print out her request. I can’t open the spreadsheet to see if she changed anything. Can you check doe [sic] me. I will talk to her about the timing of this.
Attachments:
SST North Parcel Changes.png
SST Sorth Parcel Changes.png
Zoning Changes Spreadsheet 2020.11.13.xlsx
Docs for Packets.doc
Email @ 9:27 AM
From: Theresa Eberly [former Township Manager]
To: Willetta Huth [Township Secretary/Open Records Officer]
Subject: Fwd: Zoning Map Changes Document
Can you print out for BOS packet and add an agenda for the meeting. Check to see if Chris has anything for the meeting.
Attachments:
SST North Parcel Changes.png
SST Sorth Parcel Changes.png
Zoning Changes Spreadsheet 2020.11.13.xlsx
Docs for Packets.doc
November 17, 2020
November 17, 2020
Email @ 12:25 PM
From: Laura Brown [Township Supervisor]
To: Carl Machamer [Township Supervisor];
Theresa Eberly [former Township Manager]
Re: Zoning Changes Map/Spreadsheet for Tonight
I created cropped maps for the parcels that we want to discuss. There are a couple of random corrections of split zoning parcels in the maps/list because I couldn't think of a good way to exclude these numbers. I numbered the map screenshots so that they could be pulled up in order.
The spreadsheet is just a partial list that corresponds with the maps.
Would this work for our meeting?
Attachments: Zoning Changes Spreadsheet 2020.11.13 Excerpt.xlsx
1 - Wertzville & 114 Quadrant.png
2 - Parcels next to Vo-Tech School.png
3 - Eastern Silver Spring Township.png
4 - Parcel Outside New Kingstown.png
5 - Hempt Farm & Hempt Road Residences.png
6 - Texaco Road Industrial.png
7 - Route 114 Corridor.png
Email @ 9:09 PM
From: Nancy Livingston [co-owner of 401 Mulberry Drive]
To: Dennis Hrzic [Township Conservation & Preservation Committee]
Subject: Historic Property
I was getting back to you because I never heard any more additional information about the Yorlets property. Again we have said we do no want our property on any historic list. It is a simple stone house. I don't see anything unique to make it stand out on any historic list. We do not have the money to invest in the property. Where does this stand ?
November 18, 2020
November 18, 2020
Email @ 8:31 AM
From: Scott Maldonado [Township Lead Land Development Specialist]
To: Christine Musser [local historian]
Cc: Chris Guarino [former Township Land Planning & Development Manager]; Theresa Eberly [former Township Manager]; Dennis Hrzic [Township Conservation & Preservation Committee]
Subject: Fw: Yorlets Property
I spoke with Denny this morning, I believe you misspoke at last nights meeting, in saying that the Yorlets farm house is on the historical list. In my conservation [sic] with Denny, he stated you were to do research on the house to find historic significance. This property is on the pending list and has not be added officially to the list.
Email @ 8:37 AM
From: Christine Musser [local historian]
To: Scott Maldonado [Township Lead Land Development Specialist]
Subject: Re: Yorlets Property
Gotcha! I apologize for my misunderstanding. I thought the properties I was researching were already on the list and my research was supporting why they are on the list. I appreciate you checking and clarifying.
Email @ 8:38 AM
From: Theresa Eberly [former Township Manager]
To: Scott Maldonado [Township Lead Land Development Specialist]
Subject: Re: Yorlets Property
Excellent
Email @ 8:47 AM
From: Dennis Hrzic [Township Conservation & Preservation Committee]
To: Christine Musser [local historian]; Scott Maldonado [Township Lead Land Development Specialist]
Cc: Chris Guarino [former Township Land Planning & Development Manager];
Theresa Eberly [former Township Manager]
Subject: Re: Yorlets property
I am going to talk to Nancy Livingston about the status of the house. The family does not want the house on the list. She sent me an email late last night and I will reach out to her today to discuss this issue.
Email @ 9:46 AM
From: Christine Musser [local historian]
To: Scott Maldonado [Township Lead Land Development Specialist]; Dennis Hrzic [Township Conservation & Preservation Committee]
Cc: Chris Guarino [former Township Land Planning & Development Manager]; Theresa Eberly [former Township Manager]
Subject: Re: Yorlets Property
Unfortunately, I am not finding anything historically relevant about the Brenizer house besides that it was in the Brenizer family for most of the nineteenth century. The house was not evaluated for the National Register.
The question is - is the property significant to the character and heritage of Silver Spring Township?
Architecturally I would like to double-check with Dave Maher from SHPO to see if he sees anything architecturally significant to the house and barn.
In all fairness, this house and barn may not meet the township's criteria for saving. I just ask that Dave takes a look at it and tell us what he thinks from SHPO's standpoint.
And, yes, it does make me sad to admit that demolishing the structures may be ok - the house dates back to 1810.
If the property does receive approval for demolition could I please take photos beforehand - just for historic value for the township? I want to focus on the family stories of the people who lived in the township - purpose for future presentations and displays at the Junkin's house. There was mention that there is writing inside the barn. I would like to get photos of that.
Attached, please see the survey form that Nancy did.
Email @ 10:04 AM
From: Dennis Hrzic [Township Conservation & Preservation Committee]
To: Christine Musser [local historian]; Chris Guarino [former Township Land Planning & Development Manager]; Scott Maldonado [Township Lead Land Development Specialist]; Theresa Eberly [former Township Manager]
Subject: Re: Yorlets Property
I will keep the info in mind when I have a conversation with her toight. [sic]
November 19, 2020
November 19, 2020
Email @ 9:40 AM
From: Dennis Hrzic [Township Conservation & Preservation Committee]
To: Theresa Eberly [former Township Manager]; Rob Shaw; Chris Guarino [former Township Land Planning & Development Manager]; Scott Maldonado [Township Lead Land Development Specialist]
Cc: Christine Musser [local historian];
Nancy Livingston [co-owner of 401 Mulberry Drive]
Subject: Yorlet Stone House
I spoke with Nancy Livingston this morning with reference to her parent’s stone house and barn on Mulberry Drive. The house was listed on our historic property list in a ‘Pending’ status so that we could determine if any historical significance was associated with the property. After careful search over the past year, by individuals with historical backgrounds, it was determined other than the house being of vintage age and constructed of stone, there were no significant historical data associated with the property.
The family would like the house to be removed from ‘Pending’ status and be removed from the list currently maintained by the township. The owners of properties currently designated on the list, with the exception of those transferred from the county listing, were provided the option to have their property removed if they so desired. Based on this option, their desire is to have the house will be removed from the historic property list.
I would like to thank those involved in making this determination.
Please feel free to forward this email to any appropriate entity.
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