Commission approves minor Burket Manor lot-line corrections, tables southern revision after geotech concerns

The Planning Commission approved a minor subdivision amendment to Burket Manor that corrects lot lines to match built townhomes, then debated and ultimately tabled a separate proposal to revise grades in the southern portion of the same development after staff raised geotechnical and technical-review questions.

Township staff said the ninth amendment involved only minor lot-line adjustments to align property lines with party walls and recommended forwarding the item to the Board of Supervisors once standard engineering comments were addressed. Commissioners approved that recommendation with conditions such as requiring the surveyor’s seal and confirmation of county filing.

Separately, Gateway Engineers described a proposed lowering of the southern portion of Burket Manor by “approximately about a foot and a half to two feet” to address unsuitable material uncovered during earthmoving. Jonathan Garcheski said the change mostly affects grade and does not alter road or utility locations. Staff recommended additional submittals — updated grading plans, sanitary and storm‑sewer checks, sidewalk dimension corrections, and an updated geotechnical report that addresses the material removed or capped.

Members of the public, including nearby residents and Cynthia Rossi (Terra Hill Farm), provided historic mine maps and urged caution, citing risks of mine subsidence, acid mine drainage and the need for thorough deep-foundation or stabilization work if construction proceeds over mined areas. One resident said she could “envision some subsidance thing happening” and asked what would guarantee long‑term stability; staff said compaction testing and geotechnical standards are being followed and requested additional documentation.

Given the outstanding technical comments, commissioners voted to table the southern-section revision to give the developer time to respond and submit the requested geotechnical clarifications. The minor lot-line amendment was recommended to the Board of Supervisors for final approval.

Next steps: developers will update and resubmit grading, sanitary, stormwater and geotechnical materials; staff will re-review and report to the commission and board.