Commission recommends approval of Harvest Glen stormwater addendum

The Blair Township Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval Oct. 7 of a stormwater-management addendum for the Harvest Glen subdivision that would enlarge an existing basin and add stepped grading to slow runoff into the creek below.

Tom Jacobs of developer S&A Homes told the commission that final as-built plans from the subdivision’s 2014 phase did not match the originally approved plans, preventing additional phases until the stormwater system is brought into compliance. "The proposed amended plan is a far better plan than the original approved plan and is the right thing to do to better manage stormwater runoff," Jacobs said.

Eric Banks, the Stiffler McGraw representative, said he could not speak on behalf of the stormwater plan "citing a conflict of interest," and Jacobs said S&A Homes would seek written approval from the Conservation District and did not expect construction to begin before spring.

Commissioner Tim Shaw moved to recommend approval of the addendum; Dodie Amigh seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The recommendation is advisory to the Blair Township Board of Supervisors, which will consider final action and any required permits, including a floodplain permit and an NPDES permit from the Conservation District.

The commission record states the basin expansion is about 25% and that additional grading will be used to intercept runoff from homes before it reaches the creek. No construction start date was set; Jacobs said construction would likely wait until spring and that he would obtain written Conservation District approval before proceeding.