Consider for recommendation to the Board of Commissioners a Waiver of Land Development Plan prepared by Herbert E. MacCombie, Jr., PE Consulting Engineers and Surveyors, Inc. dated March 9, 2017 to develop approximately .6 acres of the “Mayfair Area” of West Laurel Hill Cemetery for Orthodox Jewish grave sites. The proposed area will contain approximately 335 grave sites and brick pathways. The following conditions shall be complied with prior to issuance of any permits by means of plan revision, completion or financial guarantee, unless specifically exempted.

Expiration Date – N/A...................………………............................................Zoning – R3

Applicant: Alexander L. Hoskins, President & CEO, West Laurel Hill Cemetery

Property Owner: West Laurel Hill Cemetery

Applicant's Representative: Fred B. Fromhold, Fromhold Jaffe & Adams

Landscape Plan:

1.        A revised landscape plan shall be submitted that complies with Zoning Code Section 167.7 and conditions herein. The plan shall be prepared and sealed by a Registered Landscape Architect and shall be subject to the approval of the Township prior to the issuance of any permits.

1.     The species of trees on the property within twenty-five (25’) feet of disturbance shall be shown on the plan.

2.     The applicant shall demonstrate to staff that the Hill Gate Homeowner’s Association has agreed to allow plantings to be installed on their property.

Plan Requirements:

3.     The limits of Buildings E and B on the Hill Gate property shall be fully represented on the plan. The location of inlets and piping within 100 feet of the project area shall also be shown.

4.     Concrete road control monuments shall be provided at the right-of-way at the intersection of each property line and at all changes in direction when required by the Township.

Historic Resource:

4.     The applicant shall consider adding the property to the Historic Resource Inventory as a Class 1 resource.

Stormwater Management:

 5.     The proposed raingardens and bioretention areas shall be constructed as directed by the Township Engineer.

6.     The existing inlet which is designed to receive the outflow pipe from the bio-retention area shall be noted to be repaired/replaced as required or as directed by the Township.

7.     The spot elevation on the spillway from bio-retention area No. 1 shall be increased in height to 257.75’ to improve the conveyance of runoff into the recharge stone.

8.  The twenty-four (24”) inch depth of planting soil mix in the raingardens shall be fully specified on the plan. An adequate percentage of organic material shall be provided for proper design.

 Construction Details:

9.  A detail of the four (4’) foot high brick landscape wall shall be provided. The landscape plan shall be revised to clarify the reference to a new four (4’) foot wide path.

10.  The porous paver design shall be adjusted to comply with Township standards. The reference to a perforated pipe in the recharge stone shall be removed. Geotextile fabric shall be specified all around the recharge stone.

11.  The applicant shall clarify how the existing headstone and grave shown in the project area will be treated during construction. 

Standard Conditions of Approval:

12.  A Runoff and Erosion Control Permit shall be obtained. Any appropriate escrow shall be posted to guarantee all required conditions of approval prior to the issuance of any permits.

13.  Existing buildings shall have approved address numbers, building numbers or approved building identification placed in a position that is plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting on the property.  The address numbers shall contrast with its background and be a minimum of four (4) inches (102mm) high with a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inch (12.7mm).

14.  A copy of the revised plan shall be submitted with any changes highlighted. A letter shall also be provided with the revised plan indicating how each requested revision has been addressed in the re-submission.

 15.  Revisions to the plan shall address the Township Engineer’s March 27, 2017 review letter.

16.  The owner shall make payment of the Township Engineer’s inspection fees within 30 days of presentation. A penalty of 1.5% per month will be due for late payments from the date of presentation. If any shares are not paid within 60 days of presentation, the Township may elect to suspend any outstanding permits until all pending charges are settled.

17.  The owner will make payment of fees and expenses of the Township’s professional consultants who perform services on behalf of the Township with respect to these plans and the work contemplated thereunder and will establish and maintain with the Township those escrows for the payment of such fees required by Township Code. Owner agrees that any statement from the Township for such fees which remain unpaid for a period of 30 days may be recorded against the property as a municipal lien.

18.  The property owner(s) shall comply with all federal, state and applicable Lower Merion Township ordinances and laws regardless of specific mention herein.

In addition, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the following relief:

1.     Subdivision & Land Development Code Section 135-7A, to not provide a Tentative Sketch Plan.

2.     Subdivision & Land Development Code Section 135-10A(3), to not provide a Preliminary Land Development Plan.

3.     Subdivision & Land Development Code Section 135-13, to not provide a Final Plan.

4.     Subdivision & Land Development Code Section 135-17B6, to provide an error of closure greater than 1:5,000.

5.     Stormwater & Erosion Control Code Section 121-4A(1b)1 & 121-15 to not provide stormwater rate control.

In addition, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the following partial relief:

6.     Subdivision & Land Development Code Section 135-32, to not install concrete road control monuments at the right-of-way at the intersection of each property line and at all changes in direction until required by the Township.

7.     Subdivision & Land Development Code Section 135-16B(14), to not provide topography and existing and proposed drainage areas for portions of the property outside of the project area.

8.     Subdivision & Land Development Code Section 135-17B(13) and 135-17B(1), to not provide certain information to within two hundred (200’) feet of the property.

9.     Natural Features Code Section 101-5.B(1) to provide evergreen trees as compensatory trees instead of deciduous trees.