Board approves Winfield Drive homeowner's floodplain sunroom with five conditions

The Haverford Township Zoning Hearing Board voted to approve a variance for Daniel Schwarzman's project at 2429 Winfield Drive, allowing reinforcement of an existing deck to support a three-season sunroom despite the structure's location in a floodplain.

Schwarzman and Todd Deansky, project manager for Better Living, told the board the project does not change the deck's footprint and will not enclose the space below it. Deansky described the work as reinforcing posts, pouring footings and installing an aluminum/glass sunroom; "we're just putting a room on top of it. Simple as that," he said during testimony.

During deliberations, the board set explicit conditions intended to limit new impacts: no enclosure below the deck; no increase in the number of support posts that would affect driveway access; the new structure will not be heated and the only utility is electric; the addition must be completed within one year of zoning approval; and construction must comply with the notes of testing and the approved plans.

Board member Ed McGari read the conditions aloud as part of his approval motion; Bill Rhodess, Jesse Pon and the chair concurred, recording a unanimous vote to approve KZ2602 with those restrictions. The board also noted that permits for electrical work remain subject to the usual building department review.

The decision allows Schwarzman to proceed under the stated constraints and attaches a timeline and compliance requirements intended to protect neighboring properties and limit new floodplain impacts.