A prisoner of our own rules. North Aberdeen

Tonight I attended a Planning Commission Meeting. The item of interest for me was Number 3

S.D. # 2008-S-06 (Final) of David Buckley & Sherrie Burlingham
to subdivide property into two (2), raze existing dwelling and
construct a twin home with a residence on each lot at 236 N.
Aberdeen Ave.

This was approved. I must say that I would have voted differently.
The design was predicated on a revised Flood Plain Delineation, not the FEMA flood line. It was pointed out by one of the neighbors that this was not according to Code. The Commissioners (or FEMA) must approve any change and the authority is NOT delegated to the Township Engineer. The case was made that the Commissioners will approve this at some time in the future since the Township Engineer is the person who advises them. Isn't this putting the cart before the horse? I believe the SD should have been denied or tabled until the Commissioners approved the flood line changes.

I think it is incumbent upon the Township to follow the process. Even in the case where the ultimate outcome is a foregone conclusion, it is important to avoid any potential lawsuits.

Now back to the title of this post: This sub-division plan was "by-right" (excepting the flood line discussion) and the Planning Commission was in a tough spot. They had to approve the plan, although they could and did attach recommendations. The simply did not have the tools available to change the outcome

We have a good Comprehensive Plan, although mostly un-implemented...
We have a HARB... but it doesn't have jurisdiction over all the historical assets...

So, we are victims of our own rules. And now we will have a new twin on North Aberdeen. A building that will be totally out of character with the community and exacerbating an already serious parking problem. In return we loose a historic asset, the house being torn down was owned by Johnathan Lengel in 1888. The already congested neighborhood looses open space and a Heritage Tree (36 inch Maple) will be destroyed.

We must get on the stick and modernize our codes before it is all gone. Perhaps Radnor's theme song should be "Big Yellow Taxi"...... they paved paradise and put up a parking lot..

A little history for you (I copied this from SAC Blog)
236 N. Aberdeen is purportedly the home that famous Wayne builder Jonathan Lengel lived in. Mr. Lengel was part of the founding fabric of Wayne itself:

Wayne PA: Builders and Architects

Most of Wayne’s most historical structures can attribute their existence to five men. W. L. and F. L. Price were the architects of most of the houses in North and South Wayne. Herman Wendell and Frank Smith were a team of builders who built mainly houses designed by Price in North and South Wayne. The team of David K. Boyd and Jonathan Lengel built some of Wayne’s most recognizable landmarks, both past and present.

David K. Boyd and Jonathan D. Lengel

David Knickerbacker Boyd’s first assignment as an architect was for several Wendell & Smith houses in Wayne, Radnor and St. David’s. At the time he was working with his brother in a firm called Boyd & Boyd. Eventually the two separated, and David started his own practice which he ran until 1914. He became very influential in the architecture and building codes of Philadelphia and New York, and is quoted as being one of the only people to propose a set-back principle to the design of skyscrapers. Boyd oversaw the construction of almost every building in Philadelphia, and by 1931 had designed, supervised or directed 3,000 buildings. Although he had a major influence on the world of architecture on the east coast, one place whose influence of Boyd is most evident is Wayne. Many of the landmark buildings in Wayne built from about 1890-1910 were designed by Boyd.

All of the buildings designed by Boyd were built by Jonathan D. Lengel. Although their association is probably limited to Wayne, it is interesting that the two would maintain such a close business relationship.....In addition to Boyd’s projects, Lengel built the North Wayne fire house, Union (Masonic) Hall, and the Waynewood Hotel. He came to Wayne in 1888 and continued building here for decades. His sons continued the family construction tradition into the 1960’s. Lengel had an office in the Wayne Title and Trust building, on the corner of Lancaster and Audobon Avenues.

The things Jonathan Lengel built or was involved in building in North Wayne is purported to be the following list of structures - some of which are very familiar even today:

1893: Radnor Memorial Library
1897-98: The Central Baptist Church
1898: The Saturday Club
189?: Temperence Society Coffee House
1901: Wayne Grammar School
Waldheim mansion
1909: Radnor High School
1913: Walmarthon estate (mansion and numerous other buildings)
In addition to the list of Boyd buildings)

1892: Radnor Fire House
1892: Union Hall
189?: Hale and Menagh grocery store, Aberdeen & Lancaster Aves.
1906: Waynewood Hotel

(Many thanks to www.waynepa.com for this list and info on Mr. Lengel)