Radnor Township Planning Commission Meeting - September 8, 2026
Radnor Township Planning Commission Meeting - September 8, 2026
The Radnor Township Planning Commission met on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Radnorshire Room. The meeting covered approval of prior meeting minutes, review and approval of two small cell telecommunications equipment applications, and a public hearing and discussion on a zoning appeal for a proposed life care residence at 452 S Roberts Road. No decisions were made on the appeal, which will be heard again in October.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approval: The minutes from the August 3, 2026 meeting were approved with a correction: Commissioner Brewbaker noted he was listed as absent and also abstaining on a vote; the line regarding his abstention was struck. The motion carried with 4 ayes and 2 abstentions (Commissioners Brewbaker and another who was absent).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Lynn LaFiantras (798 Whitley Road) asked about the intended use of the farmhouse (which falls within setbacks) and whether dining halls and kitchens would be centralized.
- Dana Shannis (620 Port Lidge Drive) inquired about fencing or security plans for the property, noted a discrepancy between depicted property lines and her deed, and asked about a walking trail open to the public.
- Lee Hopkins (Portledge Drive) raised concerns about Roberts Road widening, removal of heritage trees, buffer around maintenance facilities, and whether the scale of development is necessary for economic viability.
- Alexander Manns (603/609 Portledge Drive) presented 3D renderings showing visual impact on neighboring properties, noted insufficient year-round vegetative screening, and questioned whether buildings with parking structures meet the 200-foot setback requirement.
- Marjorie Mantis (619 Portledge Drive) expressed opposition to the proposed height and setback variances, stating that the development would dominate the landscape and that there is inadequate buffer around the perimeter.
- Todd Mammoth (720 Haviland Drive) asked about the nature of the life care community (ownership vs. rental, health status of residents) and was informed by the applicant that over 98% of residents come from the local area.
- Dave Fish (767 Robin Hood Road) asked whether an alternative entrance/exit onto Yorkshire Road would be considered and raised concerns about sewer capacity and stormwater management.
- A resident asked about background screening for residents and staff; the applicant confirmed both are screened.
Discussion Items
- Wireless Antenna Applications (217456-242 Landover Road & 217441-900 Coopertown Road): The zoning officer Megan Donovan explained that these applications are for small cell telecommunications equipment on existing poles, under 50 feet, and compliant with federal and township regulations. The poles will be replaced and painted brown to reduce visibility. No public comment was offered. The commission discussed the applications and voted to approve them together.
- Zoning Appeal 3275 - 452 S Roberts Road (Waverly Senior Services): The applicant, represented by Jamie John and Mark Heil, presented a sketch plan for a life care residence with 200 independent living units and 25 assisted living beds. They requested variances for building height (up to 45 feet), building length (exceeding 160 feet), and steep slope disturbance. They stated that the plan is preliminary and will be revised based on feedback. Key discussion points included:
- Retention of historic buildings (Robinson Hall, carriage house, farmhouse) and removal of dormitory buildings.
- Site plan revisions: the EMS building may be relocated or removed; the layout may be reorganized to improve circulation and address neighbor feedback.
- Traffic impact study not yet completed; sewer and stormwater studies will be required.
- Tree preservation: an arborist has been engaged; a tree inventory is underway.
- Parking: underground parking is planned for apartment buildings; surface parking for staff and guests.
- The applicant indicated that the immediate focus is on obtaining a special exception from the Zoning Hearing Board in October, with land development approval to follow.
- Old Business: The Wayne Business Overlay District Master Plan (Vision for Wayne) was briefly noted; the website is www.visionforwayne.com.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes Approved: 4-2 (with two abstentions).
- Wireless Antenna Applications Approved: Both applications (217456-242 and 217441-900) were approved by a vote of 6-0.
- No Action on Zoning Appeal 3275: The commission took no vote. The applicant will present a revised plan and seek a recommendation at the October 5, 2026 meeting. The Zoning Hearing Board will hear the application in October.
- The next regular Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 5, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Again the meeting by standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. First item on the agenda is the approval of the minutes of the uh uh August 3 2026 meeting. Uh the minutes were distributed to the commissioners in advance of today's meeting. Uh do any of the commissioners have any changes to the minutes. I was trying to find them again, but I think it had me, it listed me as absent, which is correct, but also abstaining on a vote. So I think that should be the line with me abstaining, should be struck, but otherwise I think it's fine. So I think I'm the one who abstained uh because I was not at the June meeting. We'll make sure that's addressed. Thank you. With that change, uh move to approve the minutes. So moved. Second. Second by Varon Horse. All in favor? Aye. I uh I'll be abstaining. I did not attend. Okay. Is that uh Commissioner Brewbaker? Did you vote in the affirmative or if you no? I will I'll extain abstain this time. Okay, so I think then we have uh four eyes to abstentions, no opposed. Okay. Uh the next items on the agenda are the uh wireless antennas and associated small cell communications equipment. These uh relate to application 217456 concerning 242 Landover Road, application 217441 concerning 900 Coopertown. Uh so before we hear actually uh I'm not sure if the applicant is here, but before we get into the discussion of this, uh Mr. Norsini, could you enlighten us a little bit uh of the context of these applications? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First, I would like to introduce to the planning commission and the public our new zoning officer, Megan Donovan. So uh she's been here for a week and she's hit the ground running, so you will be seeing more of her in the future. So uh as we discussed, this is really more of a perfunctory uh application here. Uh there's and and Megan is gonna touch on our very high level, but they're very, very specific requirements on a federal level for these uh small cell towers. The applicant has met those requirements as far as uh all the physical necessities, and uh so they meet them. Their applications are in fine order, but they do need to this does need to go through the planning commission. So I'm gonna turn it over to Megan again for just a very high-level uh review of that process. Hi, thank you. So um these are heavily regulated by the uh federal and state government levels. We do have regulatory authority as well, primarily when new polls are being placed in the ground. These wireless communication small facilities are being placed on existing polls, and they are under the 50-foot threshold by our zoning ordinance and at the state and federal level. Um they will not have too much of an impact on the public. Like I said, they're on existing polls they're gonna be brown boxes, um, and they're gonna be out of the sight line as there's trees nearby of them. So they should not cause too much of a disturbance, more so they should help your cell phone service. Okay, and just quick question. Uh these are not new installations, these are existing polls. Uh there may be a replacement polls, but they're not new polls. Is that correct? Correct. So the polls are already there. Um the addresses on the applications are kind of hard for the average person to find.
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