Douglass planning agency takes neutral stance on Ricci pool variance at 801 Clover Lane

The Douglass Township Planning Agency on April 10 recommended a neutral position to the Board of Supervisors on a zoning hearing application for 801 Clover Lane, the Ricci property, where the applicant seeks relief on accessory building coverage and a rear-yard setback for a proposed inground swimming pool.

Manager Andrew Duncan reported the applicant was not present but submitted an updated stormwater plan and reduced accessory building coverage from 16.6 percent to 15.5 percent, with a rear yard setback of 14.1 feet. The drafted stormwater plan was reviewed by Pennoni Engineering; Allison Lee of Pennoni said the proposed seepage bed is "just big enough." The Riccis previously presented the revisions at the Board of Supervisors meeting on March 18, 2025, and the Board indicated support for the proposed changes.

The Planning Agency noted members had requested the applicant attempt to reduce coverage closer to 14 percent at the prior meeting. Mr. Heydt said he felt the applicant could have reduced coverage further and remained neutral; Mr. Rick agreed. Mr. Heydt moved, Mr. Rick seconded a motion that the Planning Agency take a neutral position on the application. The motion passed (motion recorded as moved by Heydt and seconded by Rick; attendees recorded as Richardson-Aye, Rick-Aye, Heydt-Aye, Reitz-Aye, Carpenter-Aye, Stouch-Aye, and Gisinger-Doran-Aye in the minutes).

Why it matters: accessory coverage and stormwater controls affect drainage, lot buffering and neighborhood precedent for accessory structures. The Board of Supervisors and the Zoning Hearing will review the variance application at the scheduled hearing on April 16, 2025, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The applicant was not present at the Planning Agency meeting and no revisions beyond the reductions noted were offered at that session.