Axel Properties land‑development plan moves forward with conditions on stormwater, site distance and homeowner declarations

Developers seeking to redevelop 210–214 West Washington (Axel Properties) presented final land‑development plans Oct. 8 to the Smart Growth Committee after obtaining zoning relief for increased building coverage.

The applicant had requested a variance to increase allowed building coverage from the district’s standard (reported as about 35%) to 45% to make eight dwelling units fit on the lot. Borough staff noted the prior building on the lot had covered roughly 88% of the parcel; the applicants said the proposed project substantially reduces lot coverage compared with the previous structure even though it exceeds the local coverage standard.

The applicant’s engineer explained that the zoning hearing board granted the relief with a condition to improve collection of roof runoff. The engineer said the design team changed the drainage layout from the preliminary plan to capture all roof runoff from every unit and route it through a stormwater bed; they reported the revised plan remains within the borough’s runoff‑rate compliance. They also described minor layout changes to meet site‑distance requirements at the Birds Eye/Patton Alley intersection by relocating a wider unit and moving steps back about one foot.

Borough solicitor Tom Estes drafted a resolution framing final plan conditions, and staff asked that condition language be revised so it does not reference preliminary plan elevations by date if the submitted architectural elevations change. Committee discussion also addressed homeowner‑association declarations: the plans show front stoops and planters extending into the right‑of‑way, and staff asked for indemnification language and…