Planning commission recommends four partial waivers for Lewis Road project due to Buckeye pipeline constraints

Applicant representatives told the Upper Providence Planning Commission that construction constraints posed by an existing Buckeye pipeline running under South Lewis Road require partial waivers from standard road‑widening, sidewalk, curb and setback rules.

Lindsey Dunn, speaking for the applicant, said Buckeye informed the design team that full widening would require removal and replacement of pipeline casing at the applicant's expense and that a limited shortening of the required widening would avoid that work. "Buckeye has informed us that if we were to widen the road ... the entire casing would have to be removed and replaced," the applicant team said; they added that Buckeye reviewed and approved the revised plan that shortens the widening.

Staff and consultants told the commission they support the waiver requests at the consultant level and that Buckeye set conditions (including grading limits no steeper than 5:1 near the easement). The applicant said the nearest dwelling would be at least about 125 feet from the pipeline and that grading near the easement was limited and accepted by Buckeye.

A motion to recommend grant of the four partial waivers to the Board of Supervisors was made, seconded and passed by voice vote (recorded as "Aye"). The commission did not record a roll‑call tally in the transcript; staff will forward the recommendation and the Buckeye approval letter to supervisors as part of the packet.

Why it matters: pipeline easements can constrain roadway and subdivision improvements; the commission's recommendation sends the waiver request to the Board of Supervisors for the final decision and ensures Buckeye's safety conditions travel with the plan.