Board grants variances to regularize industrial site at 410 Reed Road

The Marple Township Zoning Hearing Board voted Aug. 19, 2026, to grant three variances requested by HR Reed Road LP and Penmar LP for a roughly 4.059-acre property at 410 Reed Road in the I (Light Industrial) district. Applicant counsel Hannah Soysen (Fox Rothschild) introduced exhibits and called civil engineer Timothy Casey (Gilmore & Associates) to testify about existing site conditions and required relief.

Casey testified the property contains three structures — an existing masonry building (~17,648 sq ft), a wood shop (~11,281 sq ft) and a pole barn (~4,800 sq ft) — and that requested relief would permit the existing setbacks and spacing to be regularized. "The deviations are minor and de minimis in nature," Casey said in describing why strict compliance would require impractical demolition or relocation. He reported a side-yard setback of 12.74 feet where 25 feet is required, a rear-yard setback of 19.24 feet where 25 feet is required, and accessory-building spacing of 9.92 feet where a 10-foot separation is required.

Board members questioned the timeline for construction and whether permits were applied for in advance. David Luckner, an applicant representative, said the company began using the metal building in late 2025 and acknowledged that the process had been "out of sequence." "I would humbly acknowledge you're correct," Luckner said when asked whether work had been done prior to applying for permits. Counsel described ongoing engagement with township staff and consultants to secure retroactive approvals and to bring the property into compliance.

After admitting the applicant's exhibits and hearing testimony, a board member moved to approve the three variances and another seconded; the motion passed by voice vote. The board said it would issue a written decision within the required statutory window.