Hatboro Council OKs Two Developments Near Flood-Prone Area

With a tie-breaking vote from Hatboro Mayor Norm Hawkes, the Hatboro Borough Council on Monday gave the green light for , adjacent to the oft-flooded complex.

Citing their attendance at planning commission meetings, Council President Marianne Reymer and Councilwoman Patricia Fleming abstained from voting. Councilwoman Aleta Ostrander cast a no vote for both applications. Hatboro’s solictor, Michael Savona, said the abstentions counted as nay votes and since Councilman John Zygmont was absent, Hawkes had to break the votes. Hawkes cast the fourth affirmative vote with Bill Tompkins, Vincent LaSorsa and Nancy Guenst to allow the developments to progress.

The developments, planned for 400 N. York Road; and at Wynfair Apartments, 350 N. York Road, were reviewed during council’s Sept. 12 meeting, following outcry from angry Woodwinds residents demanding help to deal with their flood-damaged - and in some cases unlivable - homes. Officials representing both applicants had detailed additional stormwater protocols to be put in place to help not only the developments, but the immediate area.

As an approval condition, Savona said basements would not be permitted for use for anything other than mechanicals in any of the residences unless the resident elevated the items stored there higher than the floodplain.

Owners/builders Damian LaRosa and Henry Jacquelin of the 2.16-acre 400 N. York Road property said they did not have a time table for building the 12 town homes. Officials also did not provide the expected cost of each home.

An attorney representing LaRosa and Jacquelin called it a “really good development” because of the additional 5,000 cubic feet of stormwater runoff able to be retained at the site.

Wynfair owner Peter Tiburzio Jr. told Patch previously that he planned to start construction on the $1 million addition in spring 2012 and complete the 10 apartments six months later.

Officials said neither of the areas proposed for the developments sustained flooding during the two recent storms.