Radnor Township Zoning Hearing Board Meeting – October 16, 2025
Radnor Township Zoning Hearing Board Meeting – October 16, 2025
The Radnor Township Zoning Hearing Board met on October 16, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Radnorshire Room. The board considered nine appeals, including extension requests, use and parking variances, and sign variances. Decisions included approvals, continuances, and a continued hearing.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Appeal #3237 (150-158 E Lancaster Partners LLC): Matthew Parker of 311 Midland Ave expressed support for the mixed-use project, stating he walks frequently and sees no parking issues.
- Appeal #3238 (Chabad Lubavitch of Delaware County): Seven residents spoke in support: Brian Lurie (914 Weldon Lane), Joshua Brett (Radwin apartments), Sam Samuels (212 Cornell Drive), Lisa Hallowell (466 Upper Gulf Road), Dr. Jessica Barson (117 Locust Grove Road), Mitchell Rosen (42 Haymarket Lane), and Sharon Redd (across from site). They highlighted the need for an Orthodox synagogue within walking distance and noted many congregants do not drive on Saturdays.
- Appeal #3240 (N Wayne LLC): Four business owners from the alley area voiced concerns: Andrew Dickerson (co-owner, Teresa's Cafe) said residential parking would worsen congestion; Paola Coppola (owner, Paola's) worried about trash truck access and safety; David Abraham (owner, Tiger Shop, 55 years) cited construction disruption and alley congestion; Michael Ellis (co-owner, Teresa's Cafe) noted the easement is used for parking and questioned access.
Discussion Items
- Appeal #3157 – Extension of Time: Fred Cromhold, on behalf of 411 W Wayne LLC, requested a six-month extension to obtain a building permit, citing pending permit review. The board granted the extension to May 5, 2026.
- Appeal #3233 – Continuance: By agreement of the parties (applicant Medhat Elebah and township solicitor), the appeal regarding impervious surface at 506 Chaumont Drive was continued to the December 18, 2025 meeting for potential resolution.
- Appeal #3237 – Use and Parking Variances: Applicant sought variances for a Pilates studio and kids' gym (indoor recreation) and for parking (78.7 spaces required, none provided on site). Testimony included a parking study by F Tavani Associates, showing adequate public parking in the area. The board discussed the large parking deficit but noted the walkable nature of Wayne. Public comment was in support.
- Appeal #3241 – Modification of Variance: Susan and Harry Anderson sought to modify a previously granted variance to square off an addition by 2' x 10' at 317 Rockingham Road. The board heard that the change was de minimis and consistent with neighborhood.
- Appeal #3238 – Parking Variance: Applicant requested a variance to allow 36 parking spaces instead of the required 49 for a synagogue/community center at 888 Glenbrook Ave. Rabbi Altien testified that the use would be opposite hours of the first-floor medical offices, and many congregants walk on Saturdays. The existing nonconformity was noted.
- Appeal #3239 – Impervious Surface Variance: Caitlin and Andrew Mariniello requested a variance to allow 26.27% impervious coverage (25.56% allowed) at 211 Atlee Road. The increase of 0.71% was due to a covered patio and squaring off an existing patio. The property includes an easement for a neighbor's driveway that contributes impervious coverage.
- Appeal #3240 – Parking and Loading Variances: Applicant N Wayne LLC proposed a mixed-use redevelopment at 118-120 N Wayne Ave with ground-floor restaurant/retail, second-floor office, and four residential units. Only four parking spaces were proposed for the apartments, with other uses relying on public parking. The board discussed the difficulty of redeveloping North Wayne without parking relief and conditioned approval on limiting office employees to no more than six.
- Appeal #3242 – Front Setback Variance: William Levis requested a variance to install a covered porch (8' x 4') encroaching 2.9 feet into the 60-foot front yard setback at 712 Malin Road. Testimony showed it would cover an existing stoop and walkway; neighbors had no objections.
- Appeal #3243 – Sign Variances: The applicant, 165 Radnor Hotel TRS LLC, sought multiple variances for wall signs, awning signs, and two monument signs (each 55 sq ft and 44 sq ft, combined exceeding the 75 sq ft limit) at the Radnor Hotel site. The board expressed concerns that the monument signs were too large and dominating. The applicant requested a continuance to November to revise the application.
Key Outcomes
- Appeal #3157: Granted – extension of time until May 5, 2026.
- Appeal #3233: Continued to December 18, 2025 meeting.
- Appeal #3237: Use variance approved (unanimous); parking variance approved (4-0, with reluctance).
- Appeal #3241: Variance granted (unanimous).
- Appeal #3238: Parking variance granted (unanimous).
- Appeal #3239: Impervious surface variance granted (unanimous).
- Appeal #3240: Parking and loading variances granted (unanimous) with a condition limiting office employees to no more than six.
- Appeal #3242: Front setback variance granted (unanimous).
- Appeal #3243: Hearing continued to November 20, 2025 meeting at the applicant's request; all MPC deadlines extended.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 10:30 PM. The next Zoning Hearing Board meeting is scheduled for November 20, 2025.
Meeting Transcript
Hearing board. Would you please uh join me for the Pledge of Allegiance? There are several changes to the agenda this uh today uh this evening. Uh first appeal number 323 uh uh concerning 506 uh Shawmont uh drive in Villanova is with the agreement of the parties has been continued to the December meeting of the zoning hearing board. Uh there's also appeal number 3157. The applicant is uh 411 West Wayne LLC. Uh property located at 411 West Wayne Avenue has requested an additional extension of time. Is there a representative here? Uh yes, uh good evening. Uh Fred Cromhold. Uh I'm here on behalf of the owner of that property, and I think as we had indicated in our letter to the zoning board, we have an application for a building permit that is pending. We finally were able to obtain grading permits for for the property, but now there is a building permit that is pending review by the township. And as the order had originally been written by the zoning board, uh a permit was required uh were uh at uh the application was at risk of uh having uh expired. So we have uh requested that we have an additional period of time. Hopefully we don't need it. Hopefully the permit will issue before uh it expires uh based on the most recent extension from the board, but we are asking for one more just in case. Okay. Well, it sounds like you're making progress. I don't see any objections. So the uh the uh extension of time for six for six months is granted until May 5th, 2026. Thank you very much. Thank you. And the next item uh on uh the agenda is a appeal number. Uh Mr. Chen, before I actually move on, I think the party appeal 3233 wanted to put something on the record. Yes. Council for both parties are here again. Uh good evening. As uh Mr. Nagel said it's uh by agreement of the parties uh agreement between the township solicitor and uh uh myself as counsel for the uh applicant that the matter be continued until the December meeting in hope that we are able to resolve this uh so that a hearing would not be necessary. So that is our uh our goal. Very good and thank you. We appreciate the extension. Thank you. I'm assuming that you're extending all of the FPC. Yes, and and I had uh written an email this morning. I think uh you were copied on it uh Mr. Economides that uh granted in writing an extension of time to commence the hearing. I granted the extension through the end of December, although your hearing in December, I think is on the 18th. So anything further? Good evening, David Keatley Jr. here from uh on behalf of the Radner Township Solicitor's Office. That's our understanding as well, and we agree. Um, I'm sorry. Yes, David Keatley Jr., KEIGHTLY, attorney ID 314487. I'm here on behalf of the Radner Township Solicitor's Office. Uh as Mr. Fromhold stated, it's agreed upon continuance to December, uh assuming that uh hopefully you're willing to grant that. Um but we um we would expect to be back before you end December, potentially with an agreement, but uh we'll see. Um I understand there is one person here tonight who would request party status.
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