HLRA
Tuesday, March 20 2007
HORSHAM TOWNSHIP AUTHORITY
FOR NASJRB (NAVAL AIR STATION JOINT RESERVE BASE)
MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2007, 7:00 P.M.
In Attendance:
Authority Board
Staff
W. William Whiteside, III, Chairman
Michael J. McGee
Joanna M. Furia Esq., Vice Chairman
Mary Eberle Esq.
Carolyn T. Carluccio
Curt Toll, Esq.
David Creamer, Treasurer
William
Walker
Donnamarie Davis Esq.
William Donnelly
.
Carmen S. Italia, Jr.
Mark Theurer
Curtis Griffin
Mr. Whiteside called the meeting to order at 7:08 PM in the
Horsham Township Community Center at 1025 Horsham Road, Horsham PA, 19044 and led those in attendance in the Pledge
of Allegiance to the flag.
Mr. Whiteside asked the Board to introduce themselves to the
audience. After which, Mr. Whiteside introduced Ms. Kimberly Kesler,
Director, Navy BRAC Program Management Office. Ms. Kesler through
a Power Point Presentation provided a BRAC Overview and an explanation of the In-Kind exchange real property disposal
process. She pointed out that Title 10 U.S.C. Section 2869 provides the authority for the disposal of real property
at closing or realigning installations in exchange for military construction. This authority may be exercised at any
time after the date of approval of the closure or realignment. She
pointed out that the potential to use this disposal mechanism was available both pre and post surplus determination.
Should a 2869 exchange be exercised prior to a determination of surplus, property conveyance and redevelopment could
be expedited compared to the traditional BRAC process. She stated that
this method would also provide early property tax revenue benefits, early community involvement and collaboration in
the planning and development process. Benefits include saving federal
tax payer dollars by realizing fair market value and freeing up valuable resources to support defense
needs. At the same time the HLRA could continue to involve all
stakeholders in the development of a reuse plan and proceed to outreach to homeless providers and public uses.
Ms. Kesler stated that no matter which means of property disposal is used that
the Navy will protect the integrity of the HLRA’s planning process, allowing for the Authority to continue it’s
responsibility for, and control of, land use planning, zoning and entitlements and continue to provide complete
community input to the land use planning process. Also public benefit uses and homeless needs could still be
addressed.
She suggested that the next step if the Section 2869 process is to be utilized
could be to establish a team to develop the proposed steps in the process. That team would possibly include
representatives from Township Council, HLRA and the Navy. A series of working sessions would be conducted to identify
goals, land use planning process options, identification of public benefit uses and public meetings. Ms. Kesler
indicated the Navy has received an unsolicited proposal for NAS JRB Willow Grove. She stated that the Navy is not recommending this conveyance mechanism of disposal
but rather it is one of the means available to the HLRA to consider. She went on to say that the implementation
process of Section 2869 may not be easy and the homeless assistance screening process will need to be incorporated
into the conveyance but the LRA will maintain full control of all land use planning efforts, entitlements and
zoning.
Mr. Whiteside opened the meeting to Public Comment. A question was raised with
regards to the total number of acreage available. Mr. McGee provided an overview indicating the FAA has a request for
four acres around the radar tower on the Horsham Road side of the base. The Air Force has requested and additional 17
acres for security purposes. The Army requested 40-acres for the PA Army National Guard for the possible location of
a Stryker Brigade and 25 acres for construction of an Armed Forces Reserve Center as detailed by BRAC.
Mr. Ken Plunkett, Horsham resident, questioned the BRAC and homeless assistance
process. Ms. Kesler indicated the Navy would not dispose of property until a conceptual plan was developed. She then
gave a brief overview of the outreach process for public uses and homeless agency providers. An un-identified resident questioned the residential property value changes. Mr.
Whiteside indicated that the effect on property value cannot be determined until the reuse plan has been developed.
He stated that additional meetings will be held to provide for public comment and input throughout the entire
process, particularly when proposed uses are being discussed.
Mr. Ralph Lombardo provided a brief overview of the NEPA (National
Environmental Policy Act) regarding the cleanup process on the base. Mr. McGee informed the public that the LRA
website contained the Environmental Condition of the Property Report for the Base. He further stated that the Restoration Advisory Board reports (RAB) are at the
Horsham Township Library.
Mr. Ken Plunkett questioned the process timeline. Ms. Kesler reiterated from
the Power Point presentation that the Section 2869 process may be exercised at any time after the date of approval of
the closure or realignment, at the end of the BRAC process or before surplus determination. If surplus determination
is made, it follows into the traditional BRAC process.
There being no further public comment, Mr. Whiteside asked for consideration of
the minutes. On a motion by William Donnelly which was seconded by Carmen Italia the Board unanimously approved the
minutes as proposed for the February 21, 2007 minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. McGee presented the Treasurer’s Report.
Mr. McGee distributed a list of checks for the Board’s
consideration. Joanna Furia then moved and David Creamer seconded to
approve the list of checks in the amount of $9,278.19. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Toll and Ms. Eberle had no Legal Counsel reports.
Ms. Gabor had no OEA Update.
Mr. McGee presented a brief overview of the Hatboro-Horsham School District
proposal as part of the Army PMO update.
Mr. David Drozd, Navy PMO, indicated the surplus determination is moving
forward and is scheduled for April 9, 2007.
There was no new business to report.
An unidentified resident questioned Governor Rendell’s lawsuit and its status,
whether or not it will stall the surplus determination. Mr. Toll indicated the LRA is not party to the litigation and
is being handled by the Department of Defense. Colonel Comtois of the 111th Fighter Wing indicated
arguments were held in November and no decision has been made at this time. Mr. Toll opined that lawsuit is unrelated
to the declaration of surplus.
Mr. Ken Plunkett,
Horsham resident, provided a timeline history of the base closing indicating Township Council was opposed to airport
usage. He also questioned why the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission was not part of this process. He
indicated the Board is not willing to request an FAA Master Study Plan and is concerned the Authority will be making
a decision without the Plan.
Ms. Gabor informed Mr. Plunkett that the FAA requires a sponsoring authority to
order the study, therefore it cannot be ordered by the LRA and the study is for commercial passenger public use. Mr.
Plunkett feels all the avenues are not being explored, there’s not enough input from the community and that his
resume was overlooked for vacancies on the Board. Mr. Thompson of Mann
Road also commented with regards to the application process for becoming a Board member. Mr. Andy Hornack of
Winchester Drive questioned why the No Civilian airport signs throughout the township did not include a disclaimer.
Ms. Eberle indicated only election signs are required to post a disclaimer. Mr. Hornack stated that the airport
should be saved.
Mr. Robert Winoker expressed his concerns of late night flights as he witnessed
at a UPS hub in Kentucky. He would like the exploration of expanding the tax base in the township if acres are used
for anything else besides an airport.
An unidentified person stated that most residents are not able to attend the
meetings scheduled for 3 p.m. and asked the Board to consider holding meetings in the evening to allow the public to
attend and comment.
Mr. Whiteside asked if there where any additional comments from those in
attendance. There being none, the meeting adjourned at 8:15
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael J. McGee
Executive Director
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