Neighbors raise flooding and preservation concerns as West Whiteland reviews five‑lot Oak Knoll subdivision

Keith Choper, Chair of the West Whiteland Township Planning Commission, opened discussion Feb. 17 on a subdivision plan by Oak Knoll, LLC to split a four‑acre parcel at 1358 Glen Echo Road in the Ivy Glen neighborhood into five lots, one intended to retain the historic Daniel Meredith House.

John Weller, the Township Planning Director, told commissioners the plan meets the R‑2 zoning area and bulk standards shown, but noted several outstanding technical and design concerns raised by consultants, including stormwater adjustments, sidewalk waiver requests, compensatory plantings, and the need to restore Glen Echo Road where utilities are installed. He also flagged that Lot 4 is shown only 11 sq. ft. under the impervious‑cover limit, a constraint that could limit future changes to that lot.

The applicant’s attorney, Patrick McKenna of Gawthrop Greenwood, said the plan has been revised three times and that "the remaining concerns are minor," and engineer Jack Robinson confirmed the team will provide curbs, a concrete outlet structure and the stormwater revisions noted in consultant reviews.

Nearby residents said the plan, as currently drawn, risks increasing local flooding and altering neighborhood character. Terry Goldstein of 1359 Glen Echo Road presented photographs he said show recurring flooding, said a year‑round stream is not adequately depicted on the applicant’s plan, and asked the Commission to address sight‑line and lot‑size concerns before final approval. Patrick Smiley of 231 Twin Oaks Lane presented a video of repeated flooding and questioned emergency vehicle access to the proposed lots.

Commissioners and consultants discussed options to reduce long‑term runoff and protect the historic resource. SSM engineering consultant Kent Morey noted further investigation into a yard drain discharge on Lot 2 is needed but said it likely would not require substantial plan changes. Commissioners expressed concern that, although the lots comply with ordinance limits now, future owners may seek impervious‑cover variances; Chair Choper suggested deed restrictions but the applicant said it cannot legally bind future buyers and instead offered to provide as‑built plans and notices to future owners.

Weller and the Historical Commission asked the applicant to preserve visual connections between the historic house and spring‑house ruins; McKenna said the applicant will work with the Township’s landscape consultant and return the final landscape plan to the Historical Commission.

Because of lingering resident concerns and outstanding consultant items, the Commission did not take final action and asked the applicant to revise the submission and return for review on April 14. The minutes show no waiver or approval was granted for this subdivision at the Feb. 17 meeting.