Commission reviews sketch plan for nine‑lot subdivision on Welsh Road

The Cumru Township Planning Commission reviewed a sketch plan for a proposed nine‑lot subdivision at 2091 Welsh Road and identified steep‑slope and stormwater items to be addressed at the preliminary plan stage.

Larry said the sketch proposes subdividing a 44‑acre parcel into nine single‑family lots served by a cul‑de‑sac street. “Right now, it's just we're just proposing subdivided lots… the intent is to develop these lots for single family residents,” Larry said, adding the lots range from about three to seven acres.

Township reviewers noted the site’s hilly topography and flagged a required steep‑slope analysis on the preliminary plan. A planner advising the commission said the project will likely need waivers — for example, curb and sidewalk requirements — because of the rural lot sizes and location. The discussion also covered stormwater management: commissioners asked whether the developer expects to avoid a common‑plan NPDES permit by building lot‑by‑lot, and reviewers advised the conservation district will likely treat the project as a common‑plan development, which would trigger NPDES permitting.

Commissioners also discussed on‑lot septic and noted that, for parcels relying on septic in steep areas, two viable septic fields are often required to ensure replacement options if one field fails. The developer said they anticipate dedicating the new street to the township rather than creating an HOA path for maintenance.

No formal action was taken on the sketch plan; staff advised the applicant to submit a formal preliminary plan with a steep‑slope analysis, stormwater controls and any waiver requests. The commission will review those materials when formally submitted.