PICTA is requested the developer refine the design of eastern end of the development to address aesthetic and functional interrelationships of the building footprint, the Trail, the Parking Lot and the Open Space placement to recognize the Bluffs as a vital cultural and landscape attribute within the overall design.
Parcel Q is shown on the right (East) including a large Public Open Space (yellow)destination and gateway park to the Phoenix Iron Canal, Black Rock Dam and Black Rock Bird Sanctuary upstream through the canal railroad underpass. With the approval of the Conditional Use and new Master Plan for Parcel Q, the overall French Creek Master Plan will no longer have a significant open space area as was previous conceived to create a destination park.
THE BLUFFS
PICTA is advocating a better design to preserve the view of and the view from The Bluffs.
Adaptive Reuse of Lower Canal Section
Phoenix Iron Canal / Adaptive Reuse Stormwater Basin Project – This project proposes an adaptive reuse of the canal starting at the canal railroad underpass to the canal spillway. The project proposes adapting the lower canal as a linear storm water basin for The Madison. This project will yield better quality open space for the residents, and provide additional funding opportunities for the reconstruction of the canal spillway. This project will be a public / private partnership to potentially provide a solution for the site’s stormwater and to support the County’s plan to repair the canal and extend the trail.
Proposed development of Parcel Q. See French Creek Center Master Plan below.
French Creek Acquisition Limited Partnership has received approval of its conditional use application for the Parcel Q Development Project pursuant to Section 27-2004A.2 and the related conditional use standards of the Phoenixville Borough Zoning Ordinance. The conditional use application was approved subject to 11 conditions.
The following condition was included based on PICTA’s request:
" 9. The Applicant shall engineer and construct the connection of the Phoenix Iron Canal Trail as proposed in the PICTA (Phoenix Iron Canal and Trails Association) March 12. 2012 letter, at page two, proposed condition number one. The Applicant shall also meet two times with PICTA to discuss options for innovative open space and storm water design. The first meeting shall be held as soon as possible, with the second meeting to be held early in the land development and design stage."
The Borough Planning Commission, at its February 9, 2012 meeting, reviewed the conditional use application of French Creek Acquisition Limited Partnership to amend the 2001 Master Plan for the portion of the Master Plan identified as Parcel "Q."
The Planning Commission recommends that Council schedule and hold a conditional hearing and authorize advertising of notice of said hearing to consider and make a decision on the following requested changes to the Master Plan for Parcel "Q":
(1) increase the number of units and change unit type from 272 corporate stay apartments to up to 350 rental apartment units;
(2) increase maximum height of up to two buildings to 4-stories parking located underneath and increase the maximum height of buildings without parking underneath to 4 stories; and
(3) change the building footprint from the Master Plan to that of the plan dated February 10, 2012.
1. PHOENIX IRON CANAL TRAIL CONNECTION. The Applicant shall engineer and construct a trail connection up to their property line aligned with the Phoenix Iron Canal railroad underpass and work with the Borough, Chester County and all other interested parties to facilitate the trail right-of-way and construction of the trial through the underpass.
2. ENHANCE OPEN SPACE AND PRESERVE THE BLUFFS The Applicant shall work with the Planning Commission and PICTA to refine the design of eastern end of the development to address aesthetic and functional interrelationships of the building footprint, the Trail, the Parking Lot and the Open Space placement to recognize the Bluffs as a vital cultural and landscape attribute within the overall design.
3. PHOENIX IRON CANAL / ADAPTIVE REUSE STORMWATER BASIN PROJECT The Applicant shall as part of the preliminary engineering, explore with the Borough, Chester County and the appropriate parties and agencies the potential for developing, as part of its stormwater management facilities, an adaptive reuse of the section of the canal starting at the canal railroad underpass upriver to the canal spillway.
Schuylkill Canal Association
will host the event at Lock 60
At Lock 60 SCA will present a program related to the history & heritage of the Schuylkill Navigation System and will coordinate a variety of water-related sport activities to get people out on the water. Check back soon for all the details specific to the activities at Lock 60.
Register to participate in the 6th Annual LoopFest, bring your own boat with necessary personal flotation device or rent one from the Port Providence Paddle, 610-935-2750 or www.canoeandkayak.biz. Please be aware, if you do register online you will still need to sign a waiver in person the day of the event.
For more information, contact SCA at 610-917-0021 or email edaley@schuylkillcanal.com.
PICTA will sponsor
Schuylkill River Trail " Up the Creek" Hike - The Foundry to Cromby Station - 11:00 - 1:00PM
Hike to explore the route of the trail that will be constructed this summer through Phoenixville connecting Mont Clare to East PIkeland. See the French Creek, Reading Tunnel, Lock 59, Schuylkill River at Cromby.Phoenixville Green Team will sponsor:
Bike Schuylkill - Phoenixville - Schuylkill River Loop 6k Ride - Phoenix Cycle - 1:30 - 3:00
Ride both sides of the Schuylkill River, seeing the Schuylkill Canal, Lock 60, the Ravines, Mont Co.Farm, PA Fish Commission Boat Launch, Black Rock Dam / Fish Ladder, Phoenix Iron Canal, French Creek entrance to the river,