Commission recommends multiple waivers and forwards Baden Powell Lane expansion to supervisors amid stream‑restoration debate

At its Nov. 6 meeting, the Planning Commission reviewed a proposed expansion at Baden Powell Lane and debated whether a stream‑restoration requirement could be replaced by placing creekside land into preservation.

Mr. Dave Weihbrecht, presenting for the applicant, asked that the township accept a preservation easement along the creek instead of undertaking a costly stream‑restoration project; he argued that steep terrain and expense make restoration impractical. Chairman Ray Brown and Mr. Randy Duncan expressed concern about floodplain impacts and the precedent for granting a waiver. Mr. John Melham told the Commission the client would be willing to undertake a future trail extension along the stream as partial mitigation.

The Commission forwarded these waivers to the Board of Supervisors with recommendations for approval: SLDO 303 (Preliminary Plan), SLDO 402.03 (Existing Resources & Site Analysis), SLDO 604 (Sidewalks and Curbs), and SWMO 401.N (Emergency Spillway). One waiver—SLDO 611.03 (Strips and Interior Landscaping)—was forwarded conditioned on engineering approval. The Commission then forwarded the Final Plan to the Board of Supervisors with the usual staff and engineering conditions.

Next steps: the Board of Supervisors will consider the requested waivers and the Final Plan; the proposal’s treatment of the creek (restoration vs. preservation easement) and any required floodplain mitigation will be central issues in that review.