West Nantmeal officials are busy trying to untangle facts and hearsay involving the Jennelle property at Loags Corner. Coatesville real estate investor Todd Everts has an agreement of sale. He would like the riddles to be solved so he can improve the former Loags Corner Store and accessory buildings formerly owned by Austin and Mary Lammey.
West Nantmeal officials have emphasized ‘the fact that what Everts wants to do would be far better than to let the property sit.’
Jennelle had turned the main house containing the store into apartments and rooms for veterans. It has been unclear exactly what had been done in the way of waste water management for the house and accessory buildings. Dates of improvements and codes regulations at the time are unclear. Filtering through the past hodgepodge is necessary before Everts can go ahead with his plans. Recent updating in codes makes more problems in compliance with Chester County Department of Health mandates.
Jeff Miller from Evans Mill Environmental said, ‘There may be some information that seven units were approved over the years. There were four units approved in the store building and a unit in the cottage. There are stories that Jennelle bought 3 parcels but then it gets confusing.’
The information provided on the sewers is not clear. ‘Septic related work done in 1993 was said to provide adequately for all units’ said Township Attorney Kristin Camp. She ‘is not aware of how many units are there on the property.’
‘In reality the number of approved units should equal the number of estimated daily use for adequate waste water management,’ said Zoning Officer Frank Newhams.
‘A recent letter said there are 3 septic tanks that provide for a total of 10 units on the property,’ said Miller. ‘We can provide some verification that there are 7 units at present. The tile field seems dry at this time. It seems adequate for 7 units. It is thought there are residents living on the third floor.’
‘Todd Everts had grand plans of adding more units. First we have to make certain there is adequate sewer capacity,’ said Chairman Gary Elston. ‘We feel it is a good use but we have to make certain the septic system is adequate.’
‘We cannot issue a permit for something which in reality is unclear,’ said Camp.
‘We are not aware of the current occupancy rate,’ said Newhams.
‘Some neighbors say that construction materials are not being burned on a contractor’s property and some neighbors say the burning continues,’ said Camp. ‘It is the policy to enforce zoning codes with civil fines’ while referring to ongoing fires at a property along Little Conestoga Road.
‘We are going to the District Justice first,’ said Elston.
In other news, Corporal Torres from the Embreeville Barracks of the Pennsylvania State Police said, ‘There hasn’t been much going on here in the last 3 months.’
There were 17 calls received from West Nantmeal in January. There was a burglary and 2 thefts reported.
‘This is a very safe township.’
There were several non- reportable traffic accidents and a 911 hang up.
‘We keep our cars out in the zones.’
Torres is also an administrative supervisor at Embreeville.
‘We appreciate your presence’ said Elston. ‘The response time is good.’
In other news, the new recreational equipment will be delivered in March, said Township Engineer April Barkasi. ‘Supervisor Dave Mast and I will walk through the recreation area on the park on March 24 to look for a suitable place.’
Also, the Historical Commission has formed a committee whose task is to raise funds for projects sponsored by the Commission, said Township Secretary/ Treasurer Susan Ward. ‘On March 1 members of the West Nantmeal Historical Commission will meet with members of the Historical Commission of Honey Brook at the Honey Brook Presbyterian Church to research historic railroads in the area.’
In other news, ‘Storm related information on road closures, shelter information and on electricity providers will be on the Chester County Emergency Services website’ said Elston. He and Mast ‘appreciate what E. M. C. Barclay Hargreaves has done to help people deal with emergencies.’
‘The Zoning Hearing Board has denied Michael Kerr’s most recent appeal for relief from township waste water management regulations,’ said Camp. ‘Discharge of treated effluent into a high quality stream from a new home is prohibited.’