Palmyra Borough Council approved final land development for the East Ridge Road Melrose Phase 2 subdivision on Aug. 26 even though the permanent solution for a stormwater pipe under Ridge Road has not been finalized.

Bill Swernick, representing David Miller Associates for the applicant, described two options for the pipe that carries stormwater under Ridge Road: complete the installed pipe at the original elevation so it connects to the existing outlet, or reroute discharge to a different location if the borough and external agencies agree. Swernick said the developer has a PennDOT permit that allows the borough to replace the pipe; he also said the developer is willing to contribute recreation-fee funds toward a broader stormwater solution.

Councilors and residents pressed for clarity on whether the pipe should be connected immediately, whether an easement would be required from adjacent property owners, and what costs would fall to the borough. Borough staff said they will meet with PennDOT and seek guidance; Roger (borough staff) said he had a conference call scheduled with PennDOT on the Friday following the meeting to discuss possible alternative routes down Grant Street or other options. Developers and their representatives said they would proceed to reconstruct the crossing at the correct elevation and make the permanent connection if the other options are not available.

Speakers at the meeting stressed stormwater impacts during recent extreme storms. One resident, and council members, said water previously turned Ridge Road into a stream and worried that changes to the discharge point could increase flooding to yards downhill. Swernick and the applicant's engineer said the phase's stormwater design meets the borough's rate and volume control requirements, that a portion of the phase drains west toward Railroad Street rather than toward the under-road crossing, and that infiltration conditions vary across the site.

The developer noted that a PennDOT-installed pipe years earlier crosses private property without an express easement from property owners, and borough staff warned that obtaining easements from multiple owners would be required for some alternative routes. The developer said its PennDOT permit would need renewal if the work is delayed beyond the permit term; at the meeting Swernick and others differed briefly on whether the permit term was six months or one year, and then stated the permit had been renewed.

Borough staff also reminded the council that Palmyra's municipal planning code gives the borough 90 days to act on an approved plan before it is deemed approved; staff said the 90-day window ends the next day, creating a deadline pressure to vote. Council members debated whether to wait for PennDOT's response; some urged patience, others cited the planning-code deadline. After discussion, a councilor moved to approve the final land development for Melrose Phase 2 and another councilor seconded the motion. During the voice vote several councilors said “Aye” and one councilor said “Opposed.” The motion carried.

The council's approval does not finalize the stormwater-pipe solution. The developer stated willingness to participate in a borough-led solution using recreation fee funds and to complete the pipe connection if alternative routing is not permitted by PennDOT or property owners. Borough staff said they will pursue the PennDOT conversation and report back; council asked for the item to be on the agenda at the next meeting pending the outcome of the PennDOT discussion.

Why it matters: The decision advances a residential land-development phase while leaving a potentially costly, technically complex stormwater crossing unresolved. The final crossing approach could require road excavation, new pipe at the original elevation, easements from adjacent landowners or acceptance of an alternative outlet — each option carries cost and schedule implications and may affect downstream properties during extreme storms.

What to watch: Borough staff's follow-up with PennDOT and any easement negotiations with private property owners; whether the developer proceeds with the pipe reconstruction under its PennDOT permit or the borough pursues a broader stormwater project funded in part by the developer’s recreation fees.

Formal action: Council approved the final land development for East Ridge Road Melrose Phase 2; the vote was by voice and the motion carried with one recorded opposition. No ordinance, resolution number, or roll-call vote tally was recorded in the meeting minutes provided.