Radnor Township Zoning Hearing Board Meeting – October 30, 2026

The Radnor Township Zoning Hearing Board met at 7:00 p.m. on October 30, 2026, to hear a sign variance appeal, act on an extension request, and begin a long special exception application from Waverly Heights. Minutes were not available. The agenda and transcript header identify the meeting as October 15, 2026, conflicting with the October 30, 2026 date supplied for this summary.

Administrative Announcements

• The zoning officer warned about fraudulent invoices falsely claiming to be from Radnor Township boards and commissions. The township will never request payment by wire transfer; official emails end in @radnor.org. Recipients should contact the Community Development and Engineering Department and should not pay.

Consent Calendar

• Appeal #3240 – N Wayne LLC, 118-120 N Wayne Avenue: The applicant requested a one-year extension of prior zoning approval through December 1, 2027. The representative said the project is still in land development and is being redesigned to remove the third-floor residential component. The board noted the earlier approval covered parking and loading relief, not residential use. No objections were raised, and the one-year extension was granted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Attorney Mark Danick was granted party status for four neighboring couples; additional nearby residents also requested and received party status. The board explained that party status carries duties, requires contact forms, and is not an opportunity for argument or audience outbursts.
• Residents raised concerns about traffic, school-dismissal overlaps, narrow and winding roads, the low railroad bridge clearance, lack of sidewalks, pedestrian and runner safety, elderly drivers, stormwater runoff, water pressure and utility capacity, wildlife, trees, property boundaries, construction impacts, lighting/noise, and ambulance calls.
• A Main Line Classical Academy representative was granted party status and asked about the realigned western driveway, stormwater runoff toward the academy's parking lot and building, and 15-minute peak traffic intervals during school dismissal. The board asked him to submit a letter of authorization from the academy.

Discussion Items

• Appeal #3274 – Expedite The Diehl LLC, 363 West Lancaster Avenue: The applicant sought a variance from § 280-120(C)(2) to allow two wall signs on the south and east elevations at 17 feet 8¼ inches above grade, where 15 feet is the maximum. Each sign would be 41.99 square feet; the south sign is about 75 feet from Lancaster Avenue. The agenda lists the sign locations as south and east elevations, although the chair's initial reading said north and east. Board members challenged the request as a self-created hardship because the parapet was added voluntarily and there was no documented roof-equipment or fall-protection requirement. One board member said the application had no weight and was misguided, but the board agreed to continue the case so the applicant could provide existing sign dimensions and a stronger hardship justification. The applicant waived the statutory decision deadline. The case was continued to November 19, 2026.
• Appeal #3275 – Waverly Heights, 452 S Roberts Road: The applicant amended its application to withdraw all requested variances and to seek only a special exception under § 280-68B for a life care residence. The township appeared with automatic party status and had sent a letter citing support for the special exception. No final decision was made.
  • Applicant's case: Mark Heil, Vice President of Campus Development, testified that Waverly Senior Services is the equitable owner of the 43-acre former Haverford School property. The proposal includes 200 independent living units and 25 assisted living units, with no skilled-nursing component. Applicants must be at least 60; Waverly's average entry age is about 82. The priority list has more than 700 households, about 238 from Radnor. Radnor's comprehensive plan shows a 37% increase in adults aged 55–74 since 2000. Amenities would be limited to residents and guests; a perimeter walking trail was initially considered but dropped after neighbor concerns.
  • Civil engineering: Chris Pelinas testified that the revised plan meets PI district bulk requirements, including 38-foot building height, building lengths under 160 feet, 225 units versus a 576-unit maximum density, 15% required open space, 64% pervious/green area versus the 55% requirement (down from roughly 88% existing), and 496 parking spaces versus 495 required. Stormwater facilities are conceptual; no geotechnical investigation or utility-capacity assessment has been completed.
  • Traffic engineering: John Urick testified that South Roberts Road carries about 2,300 vehicles per day. Preliminary trip estimates were 743 daily trips using Radnor's ordinance rate, 811 or 547 using ITE data, and 1,114 based on Waverly's Gladwin counts. Peak-hour estimates were about 100 trips in the morning and 96 in the afternoon. A comprehensive traffic study, including counts and 12 off-site intersections, has not yet been completed. The western driveway would be aligned with Main Line Classical Academy's driveway as a safety improvement. Waverly estimated that roughly 25% of Gladwin staff use public transit, and shuttle service is planned. Board members and residents questioned approving a special exception before actual traffic data and mitigation are known.
  • EMS substation: Applicant's counsel stated that the EMS substation discussed in connection with the property is not part of the zoning application and is a permitted use; the township would separately inform the community.
  • Continuation: With two witnesses still to testify and the time about 10:56 p.m., the board continued the hearing to November 24, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., without re-advertising. The applicant was asked to provide advance notice of witnesses and any missing documents.

Key Outcomes

• Appeal #3240: One-year extension granted through December 1, 2027.
• Appeal #3274: Continued to November 19, 2026; the applicant waived the statutory decision deadline.
• Appeal #3275: Amended to a special exception only; continued to November 24, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. No vote was taken on the special exception.
• Party status granted to neighboring residents and counsel; Main Line Classical Academy must submit a letter of authorization.