Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Stormwater topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pocono Township denies stormwater relief for two single‑family lots, citing ordinance requirements
Summary
After engineers and staff reviewed proposals for two undersized subdivision lots, the board denied requests for relief from grading and stormwater ordinances for 71 Lower Loop Road and 307 Terra Hill Road, finding on‑lot stormwater management is required.
Pocono Township commissioners denied requests for relief from stormwater/grading requirements for two undersized lots after a technical presentation by engineers and staff.
Ron Engler (speaker 21), representing the applicants, said the lots are remnants of an older subdivision and urged relief because on‑lot detention basins would be costly and intrusive for single‑family builds. Township engineering staff (speaker 18) explained the township’s stormwater ordinance does not waive on‑lot stormwater management for impervious areas under 5,000 square feet; it only exempts plan submittal. Staff showed that site conditions permit conventional, less expensive controls and that prior practice has required compliance. Commissioners expressed concern for fairness and housing costs but ultimately sided with staff and moved to deny relief for 71 Lower Loop Road and 307 Terra Hill Road; the motion carried.
The board noted that the ordinance authorizes the township to grant relief but staff and engineers recommended denial based on watershed analysis, downstream protection and prior permit practice.
