Haverford Township planners unanimously backed splitting a lot at 43 E. Turnbull Ave. in South Ardmore into two parcels, despite objections from at least 11 neighbors. The Planning Commission voted July 9 to recommend the minor subdivision for new home construction.
The plan, submitted by Marley Real Estate Holdings, LLC, originally called for demolishing the existing 1918 dwelling and building two single-family homes with driveways, rear patios and subsurface stormwater basins. The property sits in the R-6 Medium Density Residential zoning district on a 0.287-acre lot.
But the proposal has since shifted. A revised plan on the township's Sept. 10 Planning Commission agenda, posted on Instagram, shows the existing home would now remain. Only one new house, a detached garage and a driveway would be built on the second lot. The outcome of that Sept. 10 meeting has not been confirmed.
Neighbors raised historic, health concerns
At the July 9 meeting, residents lined up to oppose the project on grounds ranging from historic preservation to lead paint exposure to basement flooding.
Dianna Bostwick of 18 E. Turnbull Ave. told commissioners the home dates to before World War I and is surrounded by three historically protected properties. Stacey Mattox of 38 E. Turnbull Ave., a lifelong Haverford Township resident who also serves as vice chair of the township's Historical Commission, urged the builder to consider rehabilitating the existing home instead of tearing it down.
"I chose to live in the South Ardmore neighborhood because of the early 20th-century vernacular architecture and the pride the neighbors have in preserving the character," Mattox said at the July 9 hearing.
Phillip Beard of 25 E. Turnbull Ave. asked attendees to raise their hands if they work from home, have asthma or allergies, or have small children. He pressed the point that lead dust from demolition could affect the block. Emily Rowley, also of E. Turnbull Ave., warned that adding a home to a lot with existing ponding could worsen basement flooding nearby.
Commission: project meets code
The vote was unanimous. Commissioner Kim DiTrolio made the approval motion, seconded by Commissioner Victor Cortese.
Commission Chair Maggie Dobbs acknowledged the concerns but said the project complies with zoning, subdivision and stormwater ordinances. DiTrolio confirmed the development is by-right under R-6 zoning rules, meaning no variances were needed.
The commission attached six conditions to its recommendation, according to the meeting minutes. Those include a cartway-width waiver for E. Turnbull Ave., which is 24 feet wide rather than the required 27 feet; compliance with Shade Tree Commission and Historic Commission recommendations; a hazardous-materials demolition permit; and stormwater management installed per the approved plan.
Engineer Christopher Yohn of Yohn Engineering, who presented the plan, said infiltration tests showed the ground can absorb roughly one inch of water per hour. Each lot would require a $2,200 contribution to the township's stormwater maintenance fund.
The applicant had already received Shade Tree Commission approval for replacement trees before the July 9 vote and was scheduled to appear before the Historic Commission on July 20. The outcome of that hearing has not been confirmed.
What comes next
The revised plan appeared on the Sept. 10 Planning Commission agenda, but the result of that meeting is not yet known. The Board of Commissioners must give final approval by resolution before construction can begin. The subdivision was not on the board's Sept. 14 agenda, and no future date for that vote has been set.
