Consider for DENIAL a Tentative Sketch Plan. The plan prepared by Chester Valley Engineers, Inc. dated April 15, 2019, last revised August 23, 2019 shows the construction of 52 surface parking spaces, the creation of six, multi-purpose athletic fields and the installation of three stormwater management systems.

Expiration Date: 9/30/2019.....................................................................................Zoning: R1/HROD

Applicant: Robert Copeland

Property Owner: Lower Merion School District

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

On Wednesday, September 11, 2019 the Building & Planning Committee recommended denial, citing the following defects:

1.       The plan does not show a sidewalk along County Line Road which does not comply with Section 135-28.A of the Subdivision & Land Development Code which states:

A.      Sidewalks shall be provided along heavily traveled streets and at any location where the Board of Commissioners shall determine that sidewalks are necessary for public safety or convenience. Sidewalks may be waived, at the discretion of the Board of Commissioners, within open space preservation developments where it can be demonstrated that the objectives of Chapter 155, Article XXVI, Open Space Preservation District, § 155-142, will be furthered. All sidewalks shall be a minimum of five feet wide, except as otherwise provided in Chapter 155, Zoning.

2.       The applicant did not submit the Historical Resource Impact Study in time to obtain Historical Commission review comments as part of the Tentative Sketch Plan review which does not comply with Section 135-7.C of the Subdivision & Land Development Code which states:

1.       The Director of Building and Planning, the Township Engineer, the Land Development Committee and the Montgomery County Planning Commission shall review the plans and shall submit their comments and recommendations to the Township Planning Commission. The Historical Commission or the Board of Historical Architectural Review, pursuant to Chapter 88, shall also review the plans and shall submit their comments where the property is located in an Historic Resource Overlay District and/or a local historic district. Where applicable, the Environmental Advisory Council will also submit its comments.

3.       The proposed development disturbs slopes that are greater than 25%, does not minimize disturbance to slopes that are greater than 15%, and does not comply with §101-5.C.1 & 2 of the Natural Features Code which states:

C. Conservation of sloping lands.

(1) The provisions of Chapter 155, Zoning, Article XXVIII, Steep Slopes, shall govern where applicable.

(2) In addition to the above, the following regulations shall apply:

(a) Any site disturbance on slopes exceeding 15% shall be minimized.

(b) No site disturbance shall be allowed on slopes exceeding 25%, except under the following circumstances:

[1] Selective logging and woodcutting shall be by specific approval of the Board of Commissioners and shall be limited to highly selective removal of trees. Maximum precautions shall be taken to avoid destruction or injury of understory brush and trees.

[2] Grading for a portion of a driveway accessing a single-family detached dwelling when it can be demonstrated that no other routing which avoids slopes exceeding 25% is feasible.