Radnor zoning board approves Forest Road setback variance for family addition, with engineer review of riparian/flood issues

The Radnor Township Zoning Hearing Board voted to grant applicants a variance to construct a two‑story addition at 1 Forest Road after hearing testimony that the work would provide one additional bedroom, a first‑floor powder room and an enlarged garage for a family with three young children.

The board’s decision followed testimony from attorney Fred Fromholt, who introduced an exhibit package and said the proposed addition sits at least 55 feet from the surveyed fence near the stream — well beyond the township’s 35‑foot riparian setback — and that any final riparian or floodplain determination should be made by the township engineer.

Fromholt told the board the addition would convert an existing one‑car garage into a connector space and add a new two‑car garage with two bedrooms above. Owner Corinne (the applicant) described the project as a modest, family‑focused renovation “about making our existing home work for our family,” saying the changes would let the family stay in the neighborhood where their children attend school.

Architect Todd Kenzel testified that, based on survey A3, the closest corner of the proposed garage would be 11.4 feet from the rear lot line, the current house sits about 29.7 feet from the front‑yard setback line and the proposed addition’s closest point to the front setback would be about 18.6 feet. He said the 55‑foot measure from fence to proposed construction supports the applicants’ position that the riparian setback is not implicated.

The applicant also acknowledged that much of Forest Road lies within the FEMA floodplain and cited Radnor’s code (section 280‑77(f)), which bars enlargements that would raise the 100‑year flood elevation by more than one foot. Fromholt proposed the application be conditioned so the township engineer can confirm the floodplain/riparian determination; if the engineer disagrees, the applicants may return under the same appeal number rather than reapplying.

After board discussion about standing and the need for an engineer’s determination of top‑of‑bank, a motion to grant the front‑ and rear‑yard variances carried. The board’s order allows the applicants to proceed with the dimensional relief while reserving the engineer’s role on riparian and floodplain questions.

The board did not require a full floodplain study at the hearing, noting the applicants said the likely increase in flood elevation would be negligible; the board conditioned that any contrary engineering finding would bring the matter back before the board under the same appeal number.

The board’s approval applies only to the variances granted and does not itself alter any separate permitting or building‑code requirements, which the applicants said they will incorporate into construction plans and coordinate with township staff.

The Zoning Hearing Board meeting continued with additional agenda items.