Radnor Township Planning Commission Meeting – December 1, 2025
Radnor Township Planning Commission Meeting – December 1, 2025
The Radnor Township Planning Commission met on December 1, 2025 at 6:30 PM in the Radnorshire Room. Commissioners considered two land development applications, received an update on the Wayne Business Overlay District Master Plan, and recognized outgoing Commissioner David Natt for eight years of service. The meeting was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes: The October 6, 2025 meeting minutes were approved with 7 votes in favor, 0 against, and 1 abstention (Commissioner LaJoda).
Discussion Items
Application 216024 – 216 & 220 Radnor Chester Road (Lot Line Change)
- Proposal: A minor subdivision lot line change to transfer 10,048 square feet (including associated impervious cover) from 220 Radnor Chester Road (owned by Barbara and Dwight Buchler) to 216 Radnor Chester Road (owned by George and Barbara Rothiker). The parcels are in R-1 zoning; the transferred area includes a barn long-leased by the Rothikers. The applicant stated that all zoning requirements (lot area, setbacks, impervious coverage) would be met.
- Concerns: Commissioner Phillips noted the application lacked written documentation from the property receiving the land (216 Radnor Chester Road) consenting to the lot line change, as the application was only signed by the owners of 220. Mr. George Rothiker (owner of 216) explained a personal payment agreement was in place but no formal agreement of sale had been executed because they were awaiting approval. Commissioners expressed that a simple letter or agreement of sale should be a condition of approval.
- Outcome: The commission voted 7-0-1 (abstention: Commissioner Kunda) to recommend approval to the Board of Commissioners, conditioned on the applicant producing an agreement of sale referencing the lot line change. The board noted the item would not go to the Board of Commissioners until January 2026.
Application 216038 – 126 Garrett Avenue (Land Development – Accessory Building & Parking)
- Proposal: Removal of existing garages, paving, and walkways to construct a 1,200-square-foot accessory building for a private rowing training and college admissions studio (operated by Kevin Leslie). The existing apartment and office uses would remain. The project includes 14 parking spaces and requests several waivers (preliminary/final handling, 500-foot feature survey, concrete curbing, sidewalk requirements). The site had previously received a zoning hearing board approval with a condition limiting group size to eight.
- Discussion: The applicant reviewed comments from Gannett Fleming and Gilmore Associates. Most comments were drafting items, but key issues included turning template analysis for parking spaces, lighting for evening hours, landscaping, fire and life safety (to be addressed under building code), and removal of a pedestrian walkway. Commissioner Vine raised concerns about noise, landscaping/beautification, and the condition of an adjacent garage also owned by the Leslies. The applicant stated that the adjacent structure is not part of this application but may be cleaned up later. The applicant requested to table the matter for one month to address all comments and provide updated plans.
- Outcome: The commission agreed to table the application without a formal vote, allowing the applicant to return at the January 6, 2026 meeting with revised plans addressing all review comments. The applicant voluntarily granted an additional 30-day extension for the township to act on the plan.
New Business
Wayne Business Overlay District Master Plan
- Commissioner Phillips provided an informational update on “A Vision for Wayne,” a master plan for downtown Wayne being led by the Board of Commissioners and consultant Adam Texa (FHI Studio). The plan covers housing, historic preservation, open space, mobility, design, and land use. The public can visit www.avisionforwayne.com for resources, upcoming events, and to sign up for updates.
Recognition of Outgoing Commissioner
- The commission recognized David Natt for completing two consecutive terms (eight years) on the Planning Commission. Commissioner Phillips highlighted Mr. Natt’s extensive professional background in commercial real estate and his community service. Commissioners applauded his dedication, and Mr. Natt expressed his hope to return to the commission in the future.
Key Outcomes
- Application 216024: Recommended for approval to the Board of Commissioners with a condition requiring an agreement of sale (vote 7-0-1).
- Application 216038: Tabled to the January 6, 2026 meeting at the applicant’s request.
- Next Meeting: Scheduled for January 6, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Planning Commission will begin the meeting by standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. We're all the first item on the agenda is the approval of the minutes for the October 6, 2025 meeting. These minutes were distributed to the commissioners in advance of today's meeting. Do any of the commissioners have any changes to those minutes? Okay, seeing none, uh I will uh make a motion to approve those minutes. Do I have a second? I'll uh I'll go with uh second by uh Commissioner Kunda. All in favor. Aye. Abstain. Uh so I think we have uh seven in favor and one abstention by uh Commissioner LaJoda Okay. The next item on the agenda is consideration of application 216, two or excuse me, 216024 concerning 216 and 220 Radner Chester Road. This is a minor subdivision lot line change, final subdivision application. The project is located within the R1 zoning. Uh one parcel contains 1.11 acres and the other contains 2.66 acres. The project proposes a lot line change to transfer uh 10,048 square feet uh with associated impervious from 220 Radner Chester to 216 Radner Chester Road. As part of our consideration, we've received letters from Gannett Fleming dated November 20, 2025, and from Gilmourne Associates dated November 24, 2025. Notably, the Gannett Fleming letter concludes that the final submission, quote, adequately conforms to the Township of Radner Subdivision Land Development Zoning Municipal Code. Uh the Gilmore letter states that one late uh waiver is requested, and that is for section 255-22 B1K concerning the requirement to show significant man-made features of the 500 feet. Here the applicant has instead provided an aerial uh imagery uh beyond the boundaries. The Gilmore letter concludes that the reference plan includes a property line adjustment and generates no transportation related comments. So those letters seem to be about as clear as they get. However, there's one issue that's noted that I noted, which is based on the property deeds that we received, the properties are owned by different persons. The applicant is Barbara and Dwight Buchler, the owners of 220 Radner Chester Road, which is the property that would make the transfer. I did not see in the papers that were circulated to the commissioners anything from the owners of 216 Radner Chester Road, such as an agreement of sale or other documentation from those owners uh that would be receiving the property from this land uh lot line change. Uh based on the deed reviewed, the owners of that property are George and Barbara Rothiker. Uh after the applicant presents, I would like for our solicitor, if he is here and he is, uh, to comment and opine on that issue. Is there a representative for the applicant present? Hello, Patrick Spellman, site engineering concepts. Uh we represent both applicants. The uh the owners of 216 are here tonight. When you say both applicants, who are the applicants? Uh uh we call them the uh the the two barbs. So we have um uh trying to remember. So Barb and George Rathaker are right here. Okay. Uh and then Barb and Dewite Buesler, uh, who were supposed to be here uh have not shown up yet. Okay, but as far as I understand, the app who is the applicant on the papers is submitted. Right. So it would be the owners of 220 uh, yeah. Uh would be the one since they're giving up the property. Uh we're listed as the applicant. Okay. Okay. Uh so uh the the property is located on Radner Chester Road, uh, in between Route 30 and Conestoga Road. It uh there is a barn on 220 that has been uh used by the folks at 216 pretty much forever uh for for several decades. Th this barn right here. This is the existing property line coming between the two houses and back uh and front of the barn. Uh the intent here is to, and they have been leasing this barn for several decades. Um so the intent is to move the property line so it becomes officially part of 216 and the lease agreement would not be needed.
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