Subdivision Gets the Green Light
Chris DeBruyn (left) chaired a nearly three-hour Planning Commission meeting to consider the subdivision application on North Chester Road in August, 2020
After hearing from neighbors, developers, and engineers, and deferring to the legal expertise of borough solicitor Robert Scott, Swarthmore Borough Council voted to approve the subdivision of 686 N. Chester Road at its October 5 work session. The vote was 5-1, with Planning and Zoning Committee Chair Betsy Larsen voting no. Mary Walk recused herself because she lives nearby.
The council had the choice between voting for one of two proposed plans for the property, or of voting to reject both.
The first proposed plan included two irregular lots, one facing North Chester Road and one facing Oakdale Avenue. In this proposal, the lot facing North Chester Road would be set back 35 feet from the street, rather than the required minimum of 25 feet. The developer, Cavalier Homes, presented the augmented setback as an accommodation to neighbors who felt this would allow for more harmonious integration of the new houses into the community. This plan also featured side-loading garages.
The second plan, submitted just seven hours before the meeting, included revisions based on feedback the developer received at the council’s September 24 Planning and Zoning Committee meeting. This plan included one regular rectangular lot and one irregular lot. In this plan, the setback of both buildings was 25 feet. Garages in this plan were front-loading.
Council approved the first plan, finding that the greater setback and side-loading garages better addressed neighbors’ concerns.
Swarthmore resident Catherine Chappelka questioned Scott’s interpretation of borough code and council’s ability to legislate this kind of decision. “I think I speak on behalf of my neighborhood, as somebody who has lived on North Chester Road since 1966. I don’t feel like our concerns were heard, and I’m actually very disappointed in the consideration that we received.”
Prior to the vote, during the period for public comment, several North Chester Road residents referred to the comment of an unnamed borough council member at the last Planning and Zoning Committee meeting. The residents claimed that this council member disparaged their neighborhood by implying that, because the property is in the far north end of Swarthmore and close to the Mattress Factory on Baltimore Pike, the neighbors’ concerns were less compelling than they would be in a different area of the borough. “Those remarks were inappropriate, and the person who made those remarks should recuse themselves from any vote on the issue,” said Swarthmore resident Jim Foggo.
Several neighbors agreed that the comment demonstrated bias, and that the council member expressing it should recuse themself. Residents later shared their disappointment that this council member cast a vote.
Although Walk recused herself from the vote, she offered a statement after hearing residents’ feedback. “I’ve lived here 25 years. I understand the neighbors’ concerns. I think they had a chance to voice them multiple times, more often than people usually get to voice them. I am a resident of this block. I understand what my fellow council member said at the committee meeting. I did not think [the council member in question] needed to recuse [themself] tonight. The fact remains that we do abut Baltimore Pike, Springfield Township, and many commercial properties. I do not take that as an insult. I live in a nice neighborhood in a wonderful community, and I want it to be a welcoming community. I want it to be open and available to everyone.”
Town Gradually Reopening
Swarthmore Town Center Coordinator Anita Barrett told the council that the Swarthmore Public Library’s new adult services coordinator has requested to use the Central Park amphitheater for in-person events. Borough Manager Jane Billings said the library is also getting ready to begin “brisk browsing hours.” These hours are a part of the library’s gradual reopening plan and would allow the public into the library without an appointment. This led to a larger discussion about the use of borough hall. The matter will be continued at the next General Government Committee meeting on October 19.
Deficits and Taxes
Finance Committee Chair Michael Carey reported that the preliminary 2021 borough budget currently shows a deficit of approximately $159,500. Carey believes that the revenue accrued over the remainder of the year should make up the deficit and preclude a tax increase in 2021. He also explained that, because of the changes in assessments, any tax increase that might be necessary would be limited to 10%.
DELCORA Disapproval
In July 2020, the Delaware County Regional Water Authority requested that several municipalities pass a resolution approving the sale of DELCORA to Aqua Pennsylvania, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537). Swarthmore Borough Council declined to approve. At the October 5 borough council work session, Public Works Committee Chair Ross Schmucki proposed a resolution finding that the DELCORA sale to Aqua is not an appropriate Act 537 plan. Council voted unanimously in favor of that resolution. Walk, who works for the county, recused herself from the vote. The resolution will be submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, which is in the process of reviewing the plan proposed by DELCORA.
View this or any other Swarthmore Borough Council meeting.
The next council meeting is Monday, November 2, at 7:30 p.m. Details on the borough’s website.
