Walter Property talks to resume
Board could decide on request to rezone Cowpath Road parcel
HATFIELD TWP. >> A long-discussed plan to build homes on family farmland in Hatfield will be up for discussion again later this month.
Hatfield officials announced Wednesday that talks on 3515 Cowpath Road, a 35-acre parcel known as the Walter property, will be on the board’s next meeting agenda.
“It’s consideration of the rezoning request. That will take place on May 24, at our regular meeting,” said commissioner Bob Rodgers.
The Walter property has been the subject of lengthy talks by township officials and residents since last fall, when the family and a developer
first presented plans to build a complex of 64 homes there. Doing so would require a change in zoning, from the current light industrial to residential zoning.
The developer and their team of consultants made the case that the industrial zoning was no longer appropriate for the site, since it is surrounded by residential and too small and far from major roads for any large development.
Neighbors near the property countered by saying they were worried the residential development would add more traffic to the area, while keeping the industrial zoning would essentially mean the property would remain undeveloped.
Residents also said they were interested in buying parts of the property themselves, and said they thought the roads in that area were not large enough to handle the traffic that currently passed through, let alone any additional traffic from any new development.
Lengthy public hearings were held on the project in December and January, and at that time commissioners President Tom Zipfel said all residents would be given a chance to voice their thoughts, and would have plenty of warning before a decision was made.
That warning was given Wednesday night, during Rodgers’ report from the township’s planning and zoning committee, and Zipfel said more resident feedback is welcome, but no lengthy presentations are expected.
“Based on our past, my guess is we would give people an opportunity to speak, but we’re not looking for another three-hour presentation,” Zipfel said.
Rodgers and township planning and zoning officer Ken Amey also gave an update on another project that will be discussed on May 24: a two-lot subdivision on Line Lexington Road originally discussed last year. According to Amey, the applicant has found a waiver required by township codes but not mentioned in the resolution the board passed in 2016, so staff have recommended the board approve an updated resolution on May 24.
The board also heard from engineering consultants Bryan McAdam and Mary Stover of CKS Engineers about a regional effort to develop plans for sediment reduction and stormwater management for the Skippack Creek watershed, similar to an effort currently underway for the Wissahickon Creek watershed.
Joining the group effort could lead to lower reductions required by state and federal agencies, according to Stover, and a joint letter could be sent on behalf of the municipalities to the regulators, explaining the high costs and technical difficulties of complying.
One local resident and one organization were also recognized by the board. Hatfield resident Thomas Lees received a proclamation from the board recognizing a Bronze Star medal Lees earned while in the U.S. Army during World War II, but did not receive until earlier this year.
The board also recognized the Hatfield Chamber of Commerce for 90 years serving the community since it was established in 1927, and chamber President Kerry Kulp and Treasurer Larry Stevens received the recognition on behalf of the Chamber.