Planning commission unanimously recommends approval of minor subdivision at Stenton Avenue and Norristown Road

The Whitpain Township Planning Commission voted 7-0 on March 10 to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve a minor subdivision application (S-2-26) affecting about 11.68 acres at 159 Stenton Avenue and 254 Norristown Road in the township’s R-5 Residential District.

Vice Chair Richard Shorin moved the recommendation and Kurt Zintner seconded. Chair Kenneth Corti called a roll-call vote; Shorin, Secretary Cathy McGowan, Joseph Habboush, Zintner, Joseph Fay, John Miller and Corti voted aye.

The applicant team, including Susan Rice, Project Manager for STA Engineering, explained the filing is a lot-line modification; Rice said, "the only changes being made are a lot line modification and no construction on the lot will take place." Township Engineer James E. Blanch told commissioners during the earlier work session that there were no proposed improvements at the time of that review, so stormwater management requirements did not apply to the work being considered then. Planning Consultant Richard Collier and Blanch agreed no zoning variances were required and that no woodland canopy area exceeded the 5,000-square-foot threshold that would require additional plan detail.

Collier asked whether the existing solid fence along the property line at 254 Norristown Road would be relocated; homeowner James Kilduff said the fence would "most likely" be relocated. Collier also said the applicant should request a sidewalk deferral because the surrounding neighborhood does not have sidewalks.

Several residents asked questions. Yoon Kim inquired what was being constructed; Rice reiterated that the current application is a lot-line adjustment and includes no construction. Resident John Hillman asked whether a future home is planned for Lot 2 and expressed concerns about increased impervious surface. Rice responded that a new home is not currently planned for Lot 2 but that construction could occur in the future and that stormwater plans for Lot 2 have been submitted to the township for review. Chair Corti confirmed the application proposes access from the existing driveway and does not create a new access point.

The commission’s recommendation is advisory; the Board of Supervisors will make the final decision on the subdivision application. The Planning Commission also approved the board’s January 13, 2026 minutes earlier in the evening by a 7-0 roll-call vote. The commission briefly discussed other upcoming land development and subdivision applications and noted many will require zoning relief before formal land development review can proceed. The meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.