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Silver Spring Zoning Hearing Board approves deck and shed variances for two Mechanicsburg homes
Summary
The Silver Spring Township Zoning Hearing Board on July 14 approved a variance to increase impervious coverage to permit a 553‑square‑foot rear deck at 10 Hidden Springs Drive and granted a dimensional variance for a 12-by-20-foot shed at 1 Pheasant Street. Both motions passed unanimously after applicant testimony and executive deliberation.
On July 14, 2025, the Silver Spring Township Zoning Hearing Board approved two residential variances for properties in Mechanicsburg during its meeting in Silver Spring Township. The board voted unanimously to permit an impervious-coverage increase to allow a 553‑square‑foot rear deck at 10 Hidden Springs Drive and separately approved a dimensional variance for a 12‑by‑20‑foot accessory shed at 1 Pheasant Street.
The deck request was filed by applicant and owner Parveen Bathla, who told the board the property’s current impervious coverage is conforming and below 35 percent and that the proposal would raise the maximum impervious coverage by 3.5 percentage points to 38.5 percent to accommodate the deck. Zoning Hearing Officer Chelsea Leiby confirmed required public notices had been posted. According to the record, the abutting property owner had no objection. Following a recess to executive session for quasi‑judicial deliberations, Board Member Ryan Siney moved to approve the variance in part; Board Member James Hall seconded and the motion was approved unanimously.
The second request was brought by property owners George and Marilyn Elliott seeking a dimensional variance for an accessory structure. The proposed 12‑by‑20‑foot shed would, due to the property’s unusual shape, be located in an area the ordinance treats as a front/side yard, a placement not permitted under Section 204.C. The applicants testified that unique physical characteristics of the lot limited where the shed could be sited. Leiby again confirmed notice requirements. After executive-session deliberations, Vice‑Chair Richard Maffett moved to approve the variance; Chairman Donald Franklin seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Both approvals were recorded as unanimous votes. The minutes note that required legal notices were published and that no public comments were received on either request. The decisions are quasi‑judicial determinations of the Zoning Hearing Board; the minutes do not specify any additional conditions attached to the approvals.
