South Londonderry approves waivers and plan for Palmyra district office building

This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

The South Londonderry Board of Supervisors on Sept. 9 approved several waivers and deferments for a new Palmyra Area School District office building on South Forge Road before ultimately approving the land development plan.

There were nine waivers, relating to submitting a separate preliminary plan, plan scale, lot depth, concrete monuments, showing features within 200 feet, submitting a sketch plan for the parcel adjacent to Airport Road, minimum pipe coverage, minimum pipe size, and loading ratios, and a deferment for the requirement to widen the cartway and right-of-way and install curb and sidewalk along the lot frontage of South Forge Road.

Randy Wright, an engineer on behalf of HR Weaver Building Systems, said there will be one access onto South Forge Road and 67 parking spaces, and the building is planned to be 13,000 square feet.

He said the building will connect to public sewer and water and will have multiple stormwater facilities.

Supervisor William Bova asked questions about the site’s stormwater facilities, saying he’s heard resident concerns, especially considering that there are other water management issues throughout the township.

“After I got a lot of questions, I guess my question to you is when you look at the township as a whole at the stormwater management in the township, that’s the thing we get questions about constantly,” Bova said. “I guess my question is, is this normal? Are you just looking at that project, or do you look at it as it relates in the township as a whole and how it fits into the other stormwater management in the township?”

Engineer Frank Chlebnikow said this would be private stormwater management and would not be turned over to the township, in which case there would be “much more discussion” to make sure the management systems were adequate. He said private stormwater management plans still have to consider both on- and off-site impacts.

LebTown previously reported that the district hopes to move to the new offices by 2026.

Read More: Palmyra Area School District will move offices to new S. Forge Road property

2026 meeting schedule

The board voted to advertise the 2026 meeting calendar. Supervisors will mainly meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. for the regular monthly meeting. However, the first meeting of the year will be held on Jan. 5.

They will also mainly hold workshops on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m., as needed. The April meeting will happen on April 29, and the July meeting on July 29 due to scheduling requirements.

In other business, supervisors:

• Tabled the ACT 537 sewer facilities plan for discussion to continue at a later meeting after supervisor Faith Bucks made a motion, but did not receive a second. H. David Miller with Entech Engineering Inc. said this would be an about-$18.6 million project to provide adequate wastewater facilities and monitoring. He said they are looking into grant opportunities, but sewer rates would still likely increase.
• Voted to purchase Optics Ready Pistols for the South Londonderry Township Police Department for $6,331. Chief William Reigle said they were looking to buy these pistols in next year’s budget, but the current package offer could save $3,000 to $4,000.
• Approved the township’s 2026 minimum municipal obligation for its pension plans. The non-uniformed defined contribution is $38,914, the non-uniformed pension plan contribution is $124,355, and the police retirement contribution is $163,368.
• Adopted the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code.
• Approved the Campbelltown Community Alliance Christmas tree lighting, which will take place from 3 to 5 pm. on Nov. 30 at Campbelltown Community Park.
• Announced the township will hold Trick-or-Treat on Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m., in alignment with the county event.
• Heard a report that the Palmyra Public Library’s book sale brought in $12,664.65.

The South Londonderry Township Board of Supervisors will have its next regular meeting at 27 W. Market St. on Oct. 14 at 7 p.m.