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Board approves stormwater waivers for 444 S. Gulph Road over one dissenting vote
Summary
After engineering conditions, the Board approved five stormwater waivers for a single‑family rebuild at 444 S. Gulph Road—allowing alternate stormwater calculation methods and smaller conveyance and berm dimensions—by a 4-1 vote with Supervisor Carole Kenney opposing.
The Upper Merion Board voted on May 14 to grant a set of stormwater management waivers for a proposed single‑family dwelling at 444 S. Gulph Road, approving technical exceptions with conditions recommended by the Township Engineer.
The waivers granted (as summarized by the Board and township engineer) allow: use of the Rational Method instead of SCS‑TR55 for detention volume calculations; use of special Rational Method tables instead of NOAA Atlas‑14 precipitation data for certain calculations; use of the Rational Method in place of Type‑2 distribution; a reduced basin top width (proposed 3 feet vs. the required 10 feet); and a smaller roof conveyance pipe (proposed 8‑inch vs. required 15‑inch). Township Engineer AI Vennettilli and staff noted conditions, including grading direction where work comes within 5 feet of a property line and provisions for cleanouts at changes in pipe elevations.
Supervisor Greg Philips said he was not uncomfortable with the technical waivers but objected to flag lots generally, saying he "believes flag lots cause the Township problems." Supervisor Carole Kenney opposed the motion; the Board approved the waivers 4‑1 after a motion by Supervisor Greg Waks that incorporated the engineer’s recommended conditions.
The decision includes the engineer’s recommended conditions for maintenance, grading and required cleanouts; the Board’s vote did not change the technical waiver text but tied approval to those staff conditions.
