The Evesham Township Zoning Board granted two additional variances to MiPro Homes to build 42 new homes on a 32.2 acre property Elmwood Road last night. The property is a former pig farm that backs to the Reynard Run and Country Farms neighborhood. The Zoning Board had previously approved the homes, but the developer had asked for the two variances to allow for less open space than required by law, as well as less side yard setback.
The developer, MiPro Homes, has experience building in Evesham, having developed both Hayverhill and parts of the Sanctuary. They testified that the new homes would be similar in style to Hayverhill. They would be between 3,000 and 4,000 square feet and range in price from $537,000 to $700,000, with the median home price around $625,000. They hope to be able to develop 10-15 homes per year, meaning this neighborhood would take 3-4 years to build.
Evesham code required 40% open space for a development of this type. The plan as proposed above gives only 29.9% open space, so a variance is required. It was noted that the open space given is 'passive' open space, meaning you can look at it, but it isn't for outdoor activities.
In addition, Evesham code requires that houses have a 20 foot set back, meaning that homes need to be at least 20 feet from the property lines on the side. The developer testified (and the Township Planner seemed to agree) that the spirit of that code is being complied with. While there will only be a 10 foot setback on one side, the other side of the houses will have a 35 foot setback. The 10/35 split is needed to allow homes to have garage doors on the side of their houses, giving a more aesthetically pleasing look to the front of the houses.
The variances were granted by a vote of 4-3. Unlike any township meeting I've ever been to, the members were asked to give a reason behind their vote. Members Student, Lutner, Osno and Parikh all voted in favor, agreeing that the developer gave sufficient testimony to grant the variances. Members Fox, Carragher and Albright all voted against, stating they were concerned with the amount of open space.
Some additional tidbits from the hearing
The developer, MiPro Homes, has experience building in Evesham, having developed both Hayverhill and parts of the Sanctuary. They testified that the new homes would be similar in style to Hayverhill. They would be between 3,000 and 4,000 square feet and range in price from $537,000 to $700,000, with the median home price around $625,000. They hope to be able to develop 10-15 homes per year, meaning this neighborhood would take 3-4 years to build.
Evesham code required 40% open space for a development of this type. The plan as proposed above gives only 29.9% open space, so a variance is required. It was noted that the open space given is 'passive' open space, meaning you can look at it, but it isn't for outdoor activities.
In addition, Evesham code requires that houses have a 20 foot set back, meaning that homes need to be at least 20 feet from the property lines on the side. The developer testified (and the Township Planner seemed to agree) that the spirit of that code is being complied with. While there will only be a 10 foot setback on one side, the other side of the houses will have a 35 foot setback. The 10/35 split is needed to allow homes to have garage doors on the side of their houses, giving a more aesthetically pleasing look to the front of the houses.
The variances were granted by a vote of 4-3. Unlike any township meeting I've ever been to, the members were asked to give a reason behind their vote. Members Student, Lutner, Osno and Parikh all voted in favor, agreeing that the developer gave sufficient testimony to grant the variances. Members Fox, Carragher and Albright all voted against, stating they were concerned with the amount of open space.
Some additional tidbits from the hearing
- Previously the both streets were named Charlotte Court. Now, the long street is Charlotte Court, the horseshoe will be named Helen Lane.
- One of the options for the new homes are rain barrels - these are attached to the downspouts of the house and are used to water lawns, plants, etc
- The streets are wide enough for legal parking on both sides of the street
- The developer will work with township officials on possible widening of Elmwood Road in the area to allow for turn lanes, along with new striping
- Solar powered speed limit signs will be installed in the neighborhood
- The entrance to the neighborhood will be a 'boulevard' entrance, meaning a divided road
- The developer agreed to add a gazebo like structure to the plan near the entrance for a school bus stop. This would not be built by the developer, but the homeowners could decide at a later date to add it (at the homeowner's cost) without having to go to a planning or zoning board.
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