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Council approves Turkey Foot Road preliminary plan for 15 homes with fee‑in‑lieu of open space
Summary
Council approved a preliminary subdivision plan for a 13.24‑acre Burning Tree LLC parcel, creating 15 single‑family lots. Council accepted a fee‑in‑lieu of 1.06 acres of open space (approximate fee basis cited) and added plan notes requiring deed language about stormwater easements and homeowner maintenance; vote 5‑0.
Peters Township Council approved, by a 5‑0 vote on June 22, a preliminary subdivision plan for the Turkey Foot Road development submitted by Burning Tree LLC. The plan, prepared by Keystone Surveying and Gateway Engineers, covers a 13.24‑acre parcel and proposes 15 single‑family lots: four lots fronting on McClellan Road and 11 lots on a new cul‑de‑sac off Turkey Foot Road.
Staff and the planning commission recommended approval with conditions. Planning staff highlighted two outstanding implementation questions: whether to accept a dedication of about 1.06 acres of open space or take a fee in lieu, and whether sidewalks should be required on both sides of the cul‑de‑sac. Staff recommended the fee‑in‑lieu because the parcel of open space would be small, difficult to maintain and not served by a homeowners association; staff referenced a fee basis of roughly $90,000 per acre. The planning commission favored dedication of the open space but council voted to accept the fee in lieu.
Council also discussed sidewalks, sight‑distance and the configuration of easements for a stormwater retention pond and a pipeline that crosses the site; engineers noted that easements reduce the actual buildable area on several lots. As part of the approval council required plan and deed notes clarifying that lots abutting the retention pond are subject to easements and that owners will be responsible for specified landscape maintenance so the township does not inherit unmaintainable open parcels.
A resident, Chris Todd, told council he had observed speeding on McClellan Road and a history of utility‑pole strikes near the proposed frontage lots, a point staff said was accounted for in the traffic and sight‑distance review. Council’s motion specified acceptance of a fee in lieu of open space, no sidewalks on the new cul‑de‑sac, and insertion of the required deed and plan notes; the motion passed 5‑0.
What happens next: Staff will finalize plan conditions and ensure the subdivision approval includes the required plan notes and deed language prior to final plan/recordation.
