New Regulations To Hike Up Construction Costs

BROOMALL–During a Board of Commissioners meeting on Aug. 13, officials announced a new stormwater management ordinance that will increase the cost of adding additions to homes and businesses.

The new ordinance will require that all additions over 1,000 square feet in size be accompanied by engineering plans provided at the builder’s expense. Additions over 500 square feet but less than 1,000 square feet in size will require a simplified process that can be handled by a contractor.

Still, this simplified process will require that township engineers review the proposed addition, incurring an “engineer review fee” on top of the cost of construction.

The ordinance, which will be discussed again during the regular business meeting on Sep. 10, stems from changes already adopted by Delaware County in response to new EPA regulations.

As a result of these changes, the county is requiring all municipalities within the Crum Creek watershed to modify their stormwater management laws.

The aim of the proposed ordinance, according to Township Engineer Joseph Mastronardo, is to “manage stormwater on our properties, decrease flooding, and improve water quality in the streams.”

In spite of these potential benefits, township officials are not happy with the forced nature of the changes, and are frustrated that their costs are being passed down to local businesses and residents.

“This is something that they are forcing us to do,” said Michael Molinaro, president of the Board of Commissioners. “This will increase your cost for doing a small addition.”