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Zoning board approves variances for 1750 Quarry Road estate entrance, mailbox and sign
Summary
The Lower Makefield Zoning Hearing Board approved variances allowing a front-yard parcel/mail structure, taller entrance gate walls and a larger illuminated identification sign for 1750 Quarry Road, with the applicant citing driveway safety and tree-root preservation as reasons.
The Lower Makefield Township Zoning Hearing Board on July 7 approved three variances for the 90-acre property at 1750 Quarry Road, clearing the way for an entrance gate and a larger, illuminated address sign as part of the owners single-family home project.
Justin Giunier of Dynamic Engineering, representing property owner Steve Thorne, told the board the property has been largely cleared of former buildings and is being returned toward a natural state as the owner constructs a new residence. Giunier said the team requested three variances: to allow a small accessory structure for parcel deliveries within the front-yard setback; to permit entrance gate/wall elements taller than the townships 3-foot front-yard fence limit; and to allow a residential identification sign larger than the 2-foot standard.
Giunier argued the sign (about 9 feet wide by 2 feet high) and backlit lettering are necessary because the driveway is set far back from Quarry Road and partially hidden; the address must be visible at night so motorists have time to slow and safely turn into the long driveway. He said the mailbox/parcel pad (approximately 5-by-5 feet) provides a secure, off-road place for deliveries so carriers and visitors do not make unsafe maneuvers on Quarry Road.
Owner Steve Thorne said the entrance gate was adjusted forward a few feet to avoid disturbing root systems of century-old pine trees along the driveway, which he described as one reason for the request to vary gate placement and height. The gate itself is shown as a 6-foot sliding gate with supporting wall elements roughly 7 feet, 8 inches high to accommodate the sliding mechanism; renderings are included in the Studio Hillier plan set submitted to the board.
A board member moved to approve appeal Z-26-17 "as presented," the motion was seconded and the chair announced the motion carried. The transcript record does not include a roll-call tally for this item. After the vote, Thorne said his project website had drawn strong neighborhood interest and many supportive messages.
The boards approval allows the applicant to move forward with the entrance gate, mailbox/parcel structure and the larger identification sign as shown in the submitted plans; the record indicates some elements were already under construction and the applicant may need to refresh evidence at a future hearing if further details change.
