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Developers say first 50 homes will connect before DARA expansion; full build relies on DARA timeline
Summary
Applicant engineers told the board the subdivision will be served by a new pressurized force main and three pump stations but that the development depends on a Downingtown Area Regional Authority (DARA) sewer expansion estimated to be complete in about three years; initial connection for roughly 50 homes is planned sooner.
Applicant sewer expert Dan Hudson testified that the proposed subdivision will connect to public sewer by constructing a pressurized force main routed along Lineville Station Road, crossing under the Turnpike and ultimately tying into a township manhole at Eagle View and Sheree boulevards.
"The project will connect the public sewer by constructing a force main," Hudson said, describing a routing of roughly 4,300–4,400 feet and three proposed pump stations (northwest corner, northeast corner and the southern tip of the project). The engineer confirmed the residential portion of the development will need approximately 91,000 gallons per day of capacity, with the natatorium adding about 3,400 gpd.
Hudson and other witnesses emphasized that the necessary downstream capacity does not yet exist and that approval of the Act 537 (sewer master) plan and DARA expansion is a contingency for the full build. HRG, the township consultant, estimated the DARA work would take about three years from its July 9 letter; applicants said they plan to connect an initial 50 homes across the Turnpike and then pause for additional regional capacity to come online before building the balance.
The board and township consultants sought details about where pump stations will be sited, whether above-ground elements (generators, enclosures) would produce noise and whether municipal ownership/operation of pump stations will occur; applicant testimony said pump stations will be dedicated to the municipality to own and operate, and generators will be in an acoustic enclosure that is exercised weekly. The board noted the sewer capacity dependency will affect phasing and final-plan recording options; the applicant offered conditional recording strategies (recording just the portion to be served initially, or adding restrictive notes) and said final plan conditions will be refined with the township solicitor and engineering staff.
