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Continued hearing on Arden Road subdivision focuses on easement, buffering and stormwater; Board to decide within 45 days
Summary
At a May 14 hearing the Board heard revised plans for a four‑lot subdivision at 252 Arden Road, including a proposed easement to resolve a neighbor claim, new berms and landscaping to reduce runoff and a plan for shared driveway maintenance; the hearing record was closed and the Board said it will issue a decision within 45 days.
The Upper Merion Township Board of Supervisors continued a conditional‑use hearing on May 14 over a proposed four‑lot subdivision at 252 Arden Road, hearing testimony and amended plans intended to address neighbor concerns about runoff and property use. Solicitor John Walko summarized new exhibits, including a proposed easement to allow neighbor Shirley McCouch continued use of a portion of the property, and introduced the applicant’s team.
Attorney Jim Byrne and engineer Mr. Brower presented a revised landscaping and stormwater plan that adds a landscaped, two‑foot berm and both surface and underground storm facilities to slow runoff and buffer the eastern neighbor. Brower said the grading is modest and designed to slow flow: “it’s not a steep pitch, it is about a 2 to 3 percent slope which will be slow‑moving water as it works its way around the berm,” he told the Board. The plan calls for ornamental trees and shrubs to provide upper‑ and lower‑story screening and for hybrid basins that provide both volume and rate control.
Supervisors questioned several practical details: the private driveway will be 20 feet wide with an estimated 10° grade and no turn‑around; the Board sought assurances about snow removal, trash‑truck and emergency‑vehicle access, and long‑term maintenance of shared features. Byrne said buyers would be notified and covenants and a recorded maintenance agreement would obligate homeowners or an HOA to maintain shared drainage and berms; the applicant agreed to work with the Township solicitor on language to ensure joint and several liability where appropriate.
Owner and builder John Taddei, sworn at the hearing, described a change from earlier plans: instead of separate access from Garrison Way, all four houses would front Arden Road. He said he would retain several large trees, plant replacement trees and attempt stream‑bank repairs to reduce erosion. Neighbors raised specific concerns during public comment about runoff onto adjacent yards and the size of replacement plantings.
Solicitor Walko closed the hearing and advised the Board that it has 45 days to render a decision. The Board did not vote on the application at the May 14 meeting.
