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Supervisors oppose large floodplain and impervious variances for 1083 River Road; send zoning officer to hearing
Summary
The board expressed strong concerns about variances proposed for 1083 River Road (O'Donnell), including 71.6% soil disturbance in the floodplain and increased impervious surface; the township will send its zoning officer and a solicitor's letter opposing at least the impervious relief.
The Tinicum Board of Supervisors reviewed a series of zoning relief requests for 1083 River Road, filed by Ray and Lorraine O'Donnell, and signaled opposition to several elements of the application.
Township counsel described the requested relief: "disturbance of 71.6% of soils in the floodplain where 0 disturbance is allowed," disturbance of land of 50.2% where 25% is allowed, construction/fill within the 10‑year flood plain, an impervious surface ratio of 17.8% (limit 15%), and reduced side-yard setbacks. Several supervisors called the package "aggressive," urged the applicants to reduce house size or impervious coverage, and voted to send the township zoning officer to the zoning hearing and to provide a solicitor's letter opposing at least the impervious surface variance.
One supervisor summarized the practical effect: "If you made the house 500 square feet less... all this stuff goes away," underscoring the board's preference for reduced-scale development rather than granting large variances that alter floodplain protections.
Public commenters and supervisors also flagged overlay protections on the property, including the Floodplain Overlay District, Delaware Wild and Scenic Overlay District, prime farmland designation and the Eulestown (as described in the meeting) National Register Historic District — all factors members said should weigh on the zoning board's decision.
The board's formal direction is to have the zoning officer attend the hearing and for township counsel to submit comments opposing non‑minimal relief on impervious surface and floodplain disturbance. The zoning hearing board will make the final determination on whether the variances meet legal criteria for hardship and minimum relief.
