Salem Township Planning Commission recommends conditional approval for Penn Home & Farm LLC lot addition

The Salem Township Planning Commission on Sept. 4 voted unanimously to recommend approval of a plan by Penn Home & Farm LLC to add Lot 1 to the side yard of John J. and Patricia G. Kilpatrick’s parcel (Tax Map No. 57-12-00-0-021), subject to a set of technical revisions and documentation requirements.

The commission’s vote followed a presentation by Tom Spears, identified in the minutes as the owner and sole member of Penn Home & Farm LLC, and questions from resident Ken Brozack about whether a right-of-way exists to access the rear parcel. Township Solicitor Gary Falatovich said the 1960s Garden Courts plan referenced two 50-foot streets that were never dedicated or opened and did not reserve easements; the commission’s record notes Penn Home & Farm will access the back parcel from its adjacent property (Tax Map Parcel No. 57-12-00-0-032).

Why this matters: The commission’s conditions aim to ensure the plan conforms to township setback and mapping requirements, clarifies access and easements and verifies the applicant’s legal and ownership information before any final approval is recorded.

Key details the commission required include: a signed non-buildable waiver; showing a 30-foot front building setback on the Kilpatrick property and 10-foot side and rear setbacks for both properties; labeling the Kilpatrick driveway; adding Mark Drive’s right-of-way width and identification number on the plan; showing pre- and post-subdivision acreage for both properties; identifying any sanitary sewer easements on the plan; and adding a note on the plan that access to parcel 57-12-00-0-021 is available through 54 Mark Drive (parcel 57-12-00-0-032). The commission also asked for documentation confirming Penn Home & Farm LLC’s registered address with the Pennsylvania Department of State and copies of filings identifying the LLC’s members, and it required the owners’ certification to list the Penn Home & Farm representative by name and identify that person as the sole member. John J. and Patricia G. Kilpatrick must sign the plan and the plan must show a revision number and date.

Procedural outcome: Planning Commission member Paul Holleran moved to recommend approval subject to the listed conditions; Chair Connie Mattei seconded the motion and both commissioners voted in favor. The commission’s action is a recommendation pending the required documentation, agency approvals (SEO, Township, DEP where applicable) and any further steps the township’s review process requires.

Next steps: The recommendation and the listed conditions will remain part of the record; the minutes note required agency approvals and documentation that must be received before final recording or action by the township.