JAN 23, 2023 — 

222 Church Road is on the agenda at tomorrow's Planning Commission meeting.  The meeting is at 7:30 pm on Monday, January 23. Here is the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82964319923?pwd=eW5PS05Nd2M1K1hZeTNielJDd1czUT09

If the planning commission gives its recommendation, it will bring it one step closer to final approval even if the new ENGINEERING REPORT shows over 40 ISSUES with the final plan!!

As you know, the township gave preliminary approval to the development in April. However, before it receives final approval, the development must comply with the SALDO, and it must meet all of the conditions imposed by the township. 

A substantial appeal to the preliminary approval has been filed in court. But the developer continues to push forward, and hopes to receive a final approval from the township despite the pending appeal. While tomorrow's meeting is advisory, the recommendation of the Planning Commission is important. If the development is greenlit by the Planning Commission tomorrow, it will be closer to final approval.

VERY IMPORTANTLY: The township has also released the latest review of the final development plans by Gannett Fleming, the township's own engineering consultant. The review, completed just four days ago, is seven pages long and contains 40 separate items pointing out serious problems with the final plan. The Planning Commission will be considering recommending final approval tomorrow despite major new concerns raised by the township's own engineer that the plan is not in compliance. 

You can find the review here: https://www.cheltenhamtownship.org/files/documents/222ChurchGannettReview31740012011011923PM.pdf

Here are just some of the ways the township's new engineering review has found the final plan fails to comply:

- The proposed basin for catching stormwater is the wrong width, and does not even meet the minimum width required. 

- The final plan is missing the required sewage facilities plan approval from the PA DEP (Department of Environmental Protection).
-  The developer claims to have submitted a Sewage Facilities Planning Module to the PA DEP for approval, but it has not been submitted. 
- The final plan is missing the required proof and description of the sanitary sewer easement.
- The final plan is missing required details of the impervious coverage calculations. Impervious surfaces (like streets, pavements, driveways, and roofs) do not absorb stormwater. How did the engineer/developer arrive at these totals? The final plan does not show the required calculations.
- The final plan is missing water runoff speed calculations.
- An erosion and sedimentation control plan meeting the requirements of the DEP's Erosion / Sediment Pollution Control Program must be approved by the Montgomery County Conservation District. So far it has not been approved.
- An additional permit is required from the DEP for the stream crossing. So far no permit has been issued.- Given the destruction of a significant portion of the existing woodland, the developer must clarify their plan to make almost half of the required replacement trees "in lieu" rather than onsite.
  
These are just some of the serious problems the township's own engineer is now pointing out. The review also notes that the final plan includes references to the wrong township (Lower Pottsgrove Township) and the wrong address (353 Lewis Lane). This suggests a sloppy, copy-and-paste approach by the developer and engineer. 

Tomorrow night's meeting is critical, so please attend and make your voice heard! Your vocal opposition to the final plan is crucial. Thank you for continuing to speak up about this destructive development.

Onward,
Save 222 Church