East Rockhill planning commission recommends preliminary approval and waivers for 21‑lot Weidner subdivision

The East Rockhill Township Planning Commission on June 12, 2025 recommended preliminary approval of the Weidner Tract preliminary subdivision and approved related waiver requests, forwarding its recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.

The commission reviewed a preliminary plan for a proposed 21‑lot single‑family subdivision spanning 28.61 net acres, with 17 lots in Hilltown Township and four lots (2.54 net acres) in East Rockhill Township. The plan proposes a roughly 1,650‑foot cul‑de‑sac to serve 20 lots, with one lot fronting Seven Corner Road and another fronting South Perkasie Road. The East Rockhill portion is in the Suburban zoning district and the applicant proposes public water and sanitary sewer service.

Commission staff reported that Hilltown Township had granted conditional preliminary approval and that one condition requires the internal cul‑de‑sac street to be owned and maintained by a homeowners association (HOA). The applicant submitted a waiver request for the proposed street crossing the township boundary (SLDO Section 22‑505.13) and for installation of Belgian block curb (SLDO Section 22‑512). The Planning Commission voted to recommend the waiver for the boundary crossing (motion by Dave Nyman, seconded by Aaron Teel) and the Belgian block curb waiver contingent on HOA street ownership and maintenance (motion by Colin Monohan, seconded by Blake Eisenhart). All seven members present voted in favor.

Why it matters: the proposal would introduce new residential lots and new public‑realm work on Seven Corner Road, and it proposes that some long‑term maintenance obligations be borne by an HOA rather than the Township. Staff asked the applicant to provide detailed cost information for HOA maintenance and to prepare HOA documents and buyer disclosure statements acceptable to the Township Solicitor.

Key plan and infrastructure notes from staff review included: • Street design: the East Rockhill portion shows a 36‑foot paved width within a 60‑foot right‑of‑way, transitioning to 32 feet within a 56‑foot right‑of‑way in Hilltown; curb and sidewalks are proposed on both sides and plan/profile sheets must clarify the width transition and spot elevations for drainage. • Road and frontage work: proposed improvements on Seven Corner Road include drainage improvements, widening, curb, sidewalk on the development side, and full‑width cartway reconstruction/overlay; storm sewer extensions are proposed into Dublin Way and along adjoining properties to address existing drainage issues. • Stormwater: the Post‑Construction Stormwater Management report locates a stormwater basin (BMP 1) in Hilltown Township to handle runoff from the East Rockhill portion via a pipe extension. Staff requested verification that downstream conveyance can accommodate proposed flows, confirmation that flows to POA 1 and 2 will not increase, and written easement verifications where required. A seepage bed BMP and a rain garden are proposed in the northwest watershed; staff requested an Operation & Maintenance agreement for the rain garden acceptable to the Township Solicitor. • Sanitary sewer and water: East Rockhill sanitary sewer exists in Seven Corner Road and is proposed to be extended to serve four East Rockhill lots; Hilltown lots are proposed to use a low‑pressure force main into HTWSA facilities. Staff requested written approvals from HTWSA and PRA for water and sewer service; the applicant stated it would propose to the Board of Supervisors that all lots tie into the East Rockhill sewer system. Sewage planning modules for East Rockhill, Hilltown and PADEP approvals were noted as required. • Trees and recreation: the applicant offered fee‑in‑lieu options for both required reforestation/afforestation (approximately 0.5 acres) and recreation land (1,500 sf per dwelling unit). The engineer estimated a contribution in‑lieu for tree restoration at $6,502.50. The Township must decide whether to accept fees instead of on‑site plantings or land dedication.

Residents attending the meeting raised local concerns. Dave Leopold of 1406 Seven Corner Road asked for clarification about the stormwater basin and urged that the existing tree line be preserved. Angie Leopold asked which school the new lots would attend; staff said Pennridge School District will determine school placement. Steve Noll of 1408 Seven Corner Road also requested preservation of the tree line.

The Planning Commission then voted unanimously (seven in favor) to recommend preliminary approval to the Board of Supervisors contingent on compliance with Wynn Associates' June 5, 2025 correspondence and acceptance of fee‑in‑lieu payments for recreation land and tree restoration. The recommendations and requested plan revisions will be considered by the Board of Supervisors at a subsequent meeting.