Lower Makefield board approves accessible addition at 5 Fayette Drive with stormwater condition

The Lower Makefield Zoning Hearing Board on Aug. 4 approved an application (Z26-19) for an addition at 5 Fayette Drive that will enlarge the home and include a master bedroom and accessible bathroom. The board approved the setback as presented and conditioned approval on a cap of 26% impervious surface to be verified during engineering review.

Applicant Penny Luca told the board she bought the one-floor, two-bedroom house to provide a bathroom and bedroom suited to her mobility needs. "I had gone through, stage 3 cancer, and I desperately need another bathroom," Luca said, explaining why the addition is required to accommodate potential future wheelchair access. Builder/representative Kenneth Rose described 4-foot doorways and a zero-radius shower to permit future accessibility.

Board members raised design alternatives including rotating the addition to avoid encroachment, but the applicants said doing so would eliminate critical windows and daylight for the kitchen and living areas. The board also examined impervious-surface calculations: the existing lot coverage was stated at about 22.8% and the proposed work would raise it to 27.2% without mitigation. The board approved the application on the condition that engineered mitigation—sized in coordination with the township engineer—reduce net impervious impact to no more than 26%.

A motion to approve was made by a board member and seconded; the board voted to approve the application with one member voicing opposition. The board directed the applicants to work with township engineering for dry-well or infiltration-trench sizing before building permits are issued.