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Supervisors approve 11‑home Lovers Lane plan despite resident concerns about blasting and stormwater
Summary
The board granted tentative/preliminary/final approval for the Lovers Lane subdivision (11 single‑family homes on ~9.42 acres). Residents raised detailed concerns about blasting, potential damage to wells and an adjacent cemetery, stormwater design and long‑term HOA responsibility; the board and applicant said state DEP blasting permits and pre‑blast surveys, plus HOA controls and O&M agreements, will govern safeguards.
Upper Providence supervisors voted June 15 to grant tentative/preliminary/final land‑development approval for the Lovers Lane subdivision, a proposal to subdivide about 9.42 acres for 11 single‑family homes with a new road connecting College Hill Road to Lovers Lane.
The project team (General Hancock Partnership) told the board it has obtained required third‑party permits including an NPDES permit, PennDOT highway occupancy approval for College Hill Road access, sewer‑planning exemptions and prior zoning hearing special‑exception relief. The applicant said its engineered plan is waiver‑free and includes stormwater controls and retaining‑wall designs; the plan proposes an HOA to own and maintain common stormwater facilities with required O&M reporting and reserve funding.
Numerous nearby residents and neighborhood representatives urged denial or tabling, focusing on blasting, groundwater and well impacts, potential damage to an adjacent cemetery, and the adequacy of stormwater controls following recent intense storms. One resident cited an accident on the mapped road bend and said community safety should weigh heavily; Holy Ghost Church's parish president said the cemetery is directly adjacent and asked how damage to tombstones or the well would be addressed.
The developer and engineers responded that blasting contractors must secure Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) blasting permits, provide notice to residents within 1,000 feet and offer pre‑blast surveys and seismograph monitoring; contractors must report incidents to DEP within four hours if an event occurs. The plan includes a basin sized for the 100‑year design storm and management measures consistent with township and state standards; the applicant said an HOA will carry insurance and reserves for long‑term maintenance and that the township's O&M agreement gives the township authority to step in if an HOA fails to keep facilities functioning.
Board members debated the adequacy of protections versus meeting ordinance standards. Several supervisors said they remain uneasy about community risk but noted the application has outside agency approvals and complies with the township code; after discussion the board voted to adopt Resolution 2026‑26 granting approval.
Next steps: applicant to proceed with construction permitting and HOA formation; the township will require inspection, reporting and O&M agreements and retain the right to enforce maintenance if the HOA does not fulfill obligations.
