Zoning Hearing Board Meeting - March 19, 2026
Zoning Hearing Board Meeting - March 19, 2026
The Radnor Township Zoning Hearing Board convened on March 19, 2026 at 7:00 PM to hear nine appeals. The board approved several variance requests, granted continuances, and imposed conditions.
Consent Calendar
- Appeal #3202 (Slattery): Granted a 12-month extension of time until April 7, 2027, to obtain a building permit for a two-lot subdivision and steep slopes variance, as the applicant has appealed a township denial.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were offered during any of the hearings.
Discussion Items
Appeal #3254 – 3D Body Works (Consolidation and Expansion)
The applicant sought multiple variances to consolidate three parcels at 378-384 W. Lancaster Ave. into a single lot for a motor vehicle repair shop. The project would demolish a central retail building and renovate a former restaurant into expanded shop space, reducing impervious coverage from 96.7% to 88% and eliminating a nonconforming residential use. The board debated whether the expansion triggered a 50% rule for nonconforming uses, but ultimately granted a use variance. The applicant’s traffic engineer noted the site generates only 12 AM and 7 PM peak-hour trips. The board approved the use variance and a variance for one parking space within the front yard setback, deeming other parking and steep slope nonconformities as existing conditions not requiring relief.
Appeal #3257 – Kevin Hall (Front Yard Setback)
The applicant sought a variance to construct a 6-foot by 7.2-foot mudroom addition that would encroach 6 feet into the required 30-foot front yard setback at 4 Braxton Road. The homeowners testified that the addition was needed to accommodate an elderly parent with a broken hip who cannot use the existing stepped entrance. Neighbors provided letters of support. The board approved the variance.
Appeal #3258 – Rockwell Radnor (Steep Slopes)
The applicant withdrew a request for a building length variance and proceeded only with a variance to disturb 14,644 square feet (about one-third of an acre) of man-made steep slopes on a 23.85-acre site for a life-care retirement community. The slopes were created by prior development (Valley Forge Military Academy). The civil engineer testified that the disturbance is minimal (7% of the site's steep slopes) and will be mitigated by stormwater controls, permanent stabilization, and existing permits. The board granted the variance, incorporating prior approvals.
Appeal #3259 – Brennan (Accessory Structure and Cooking Appliance)
The applicant requested a variance to expand an accessory garage structure to within 8 feet 11 inches of the property line (13 inches into the required 10-foot setback) and to include a cooking appliance without the structure being deemed a second dwelling unit. The expansion is intended to house the homeowner’s elderly mother. The board approved the dimensional variance with a condition that a deed restriction be recorded prohibiting the space from being rented or used as a separate dwelling, even if a cooking appliance is present.
Appeal #3260 – Little Eagle Daycare (Use Variance)
The applicant sought a use variance to operate a daycare center (56 children, ages 3 months to 5 years, with 10 staff) in the PLO (Planned Laboratory-Office) district at 100 Matsonford Road, Building #3. The 6,100-square-foot space was previously used as office. Brandywine Realty Trust, the property manager, supported the daycare as an amenity for tenants. The parking requirement (23 spaces) is lower than the former office use (31 spaces). The board approved the variance.
Key Outcomes
- Appeal #3202: Approved extension until April 7, 2027.
- Appeal #3251: Continued to a future meeting (not guaranteed for April due to agenda constraints).
- Appeal #3233 and #3256: Continued by request.
- Appeal #3254: Granted use variance and dimensional variance; other nonconformities deemed not requiring relief.
- Appeal #3257: Granted front-yard setback variance.
- Appeal #3258: Granted steep slope disturbance variance; withdrawn building length variance.
- Appeal #3259: Granted dimensional variance with deed restriction condition.
- Appeal #3260: Granted use variance for daycare.
The next regular Zoning Hearing Board meeting is scheduled for April 16, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Uh Thursday, March 19th, 2026 meeting. Would you please join me for the uh Pledge of Allegiance? Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republicans. One nation under God. Indivisible with liberty of Justice Raw. The first matter on the agenda this evening is uh appeal number 3202. Uh the applicant James and Suzanne Slattery, property located at three Meadow Cross Road requests an extension of time to obtain a permit under Section 280-144 of the code for 12 months until April the 7th, 2027. And we have a letter from their counsel explaining why they need the extension of what they've been doing so far. Evening, Nick Connelia representing the applicant on this matter. You may recall this is a matter on Meadow Crest Road. Uh we're here since the zoning code says that you need to get a building permit within 12 months of the date of authorization of the variance. Um this was a matter on which uh relief from Man May steep slopes were granted. It was steep slope around the existing home. That existing home was to be demolished, and a two-lost subdivision applied for to the township. Uh we proceeded with that in due diligence and everything. Actually, the township came back at one point and said you have to come back to the board and get um a variance because now the plan is changed, which we did, which is the appeal that which is the extension we're asking for this evening. So we proceed with the two-law subdivision, a lot of meetings, a lot of back and forth. Township denied it. Um so I have since appealed that in the letter. The appeal hadn't quite been filed yet. It has now been filed, filed about two weeks ago, and all we're requesting now is that the um uh the relief be extended for another year, probably gonna be back before you again by time the appeal works through common pleas court and possibly other courts, and so we're just asking that it be continued. Nothing's changed. The house is still there. Um the property remains unchanged from the time that we had the hearing uh on it. Um I do have a copy of the appeal, which includes a bunch of exhibits, the reason for the appeal, the zoning decision, and things of that nature, which I can hand up if the board desires. Um, I don't know. Sorry, it's on the record. It's on the record, it's on the transcript. Yeah, any questions, any comments? Is the board uh okay with extending this until April 7th, 2027? Okay, very good. Thank you. Okay, thank you so much. The next appeal is uh well, I should announce that uh appeal number 3202 uh is is being continued. The hearing on that matter has been continued to April at the request of the parties. Actually, it's 3233, Mr. Chairman. 32 33. 33, thank you. Uh the next appeal is appeal number 3251. The applicant Philip Johnson, property located at 215 West Lancaster Avenue and zoned uh Wayne Business over uh uh develop what is it? WBOD. Applicant requests a variance from Section 280-53.9 to allow electric vehicle charging stations. Variance from 280-53.12b3 of uh for the proposed project will result in the loss of three existing off-street parking places. Further, the plan indicates that the uh four existing off-street parking places will be converted uh for exclusive use by EV charging vehicles. As a result, the number of off-street parking places for the principal retail use has been reduced by seven. Variance from 280-53.14 requires that all mechanical electrical equipment mounted on the ground shall be located in the rear of the building and screening from view and screened from view. The proposed location is in violation of these provisions. And this this uh matter was continued uh to tonight from January 15th, 2006 meeting, 2026 meeting. Go ahead.
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