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2019 News Archive

• 12/10/2019 - Mixed-use yield analysis in ChesCo!
  Seidel Planning & Design prepared concept plans to assess the development potential for a commercial center in Caln Township. Plans highlighted the unique opportunities afforded by the Township’s Interchange Overlay District regulations.
• 12/3/2019 - A sweet approval for Royersford!
  Brian Seidel, RLA, AICP of Seidel Planning & Design presented a conditional use application & site plan improvements to obtain approval of a 50’s themed ice cream parlor in Montgomery County, PA. As part of his testimony, Mr. Seidel described the suitability of the property as an appropriate ‘transitional use’ between the residential uses to the east & commercial uses to the west.
• 11/21/2019 - A divine approval!
  Land use planning testimony was provided by Brian Seidel RLA, AICP at the New Hanover Township Zoning Hearing Board to obtain special exception approval & variances for a ‘place of worship’ within the Township. Mr. Seidel identified the consistency of the application with the goals of the regional master plans & the Township recreational plan to address the Township’s use regulations & obtain approval for the church’s youth center.
• 11/21/2019 - A recommendation for conditional use approval!
  Wes Beers, RLA received a recommendation of approval from the Limerick Township Planning Commission for a conditional use & redevelopment application. Mr. Beers described the site’s location within the commercial area of the Lewis Road Overlay District & identified the application’s compliance with the conditional use standards to obtain a favorable recommendation.
• 11/14/2019 - Multi-family development on the rise in Newark, NJ!
  Brian Seidel, NJPP provided land use planning testimony before the City of Newark’s Zoning Board of Adjustment to obtain the approval of use & bulk variances to permit a proposed 15-unit multi-family dwelling in the underlying R-2 zoning district.  
• 11/13/2019 - A sign for the community!
  Seidel Planning & Design provided landscape architectural design services to illustrate neighborhood community signs & associated landscaping for a Delaware County Municipality.  Funding for the signs are provided in partthrough a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) obtained for the project.
• 11/12/2019 - Commercial development approved in the Cape May Courthouse Town Center!
  Brian Seidel, NJPP provided land use planning testimony before the Middle Township Planning Board to obtain C-variances & site plan approval for a 4,950 SF mixed use commercial building & restaurant in the Town Center of Cape May Courthouse, New Jersey. Mr. Seidel identified the application’s consistency with the goals of the Master Plan & the Town Center design & development standards, and the elimination of non-conforming uses to justify the approval.
• 11/1/2019 - Identifying zoning & development compliance in Camden County!
  SPD provided a written & graphic report identifying compliance with land use standards for a proposed commercial development within the New Jersey Pinelands. The report addressed the use & development regulations applicable to both the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) & the Municipal zoningordinance.
• 11/1/2019 - Conditional use application filed!
  Seidel Planning & Design prepared site plans & filed a conditional use application for the conversion of an existing commercial building adjacent to Route 422 in Montgomery County Pennsylvania. The plans include an expansion of the existing building, new parking areas, sidewalks, & signage designed to address the development regulations & conditional use standards of the Municipal zoning ordinance.
• 10/30/2019 - It’s all in the details!
  SPD continued design development for a community park by providing additional construction details, illustrative elevations, & material specifications. The presented exhibits reflected design options to solicit input on the park’s development from the Municipal staff & community leaders. 
• 10/21/2019 - Variances approved in Swedesboro!
  Variances from bulk & area regulations, a use variance, sign variances, & site plan approval were received from Logan Township’s Zoning Board of Adjustment to accommodate a self-storage facility.  Brian Seidel NJPP, AICP provided land use planning testimony and presented parking & signage improvements proposed to accommodate the new use on the multi-tenant industrial property.
• 10/7/2019 - Planning for improvements to High Street!
  The planners & landscape architects at Seidel Planning & Design were invited to participate in the High Street Corridor Study Steering Committee organized by the Montgomery County Planning Commission. The study area includes West Pottsgrove Township, Pottstown Borough, & Lower Pottsgrove Township and will assess the zoning regulations & multi-modal transportation improvements recommended to facilitate continued growth in the commercial corridor.
• 10/2/2019 - Lighting up Brick New Jersey with approvals!
  Brian Seidel NJPP, AICP provided land use planning testimony to the Brick Township Zoning Board of Adjustment to obtain use variance approval. The variance was requested to replace three (3) existing light poles within the commercial center to accommodate new luminaries & equipment for three (3) small cell wireless communications facilities.
• 9/30/2019 - Community planning in Delaware County!
  The land use planners at Seidel Planning participated in a neighborhood revitalization task force & community meeting in Upper Chichester Township. The public meeting was conducted at the community’s elementary school to assess the desires expressed by the community leaders, residents, & business owners to enhance the neighborhood.
• 9/20/2019 - SPD provides land use planning services in the New Jersey Pinelands!
  Seidel Planning conducted field investigation & provided coordination with the project team to review regulations of the Municipal zoning ordinance & the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) applicable to the Camden County development site.  Information obtained during the field investigation will be utilized to prepare a Site Suitability Assessment including a written & graphic analysis prepared by Brian Seidel, LLA, NJPP to support the development application.
• 9/18/2019 - A new vision for a community park
  Commercial development growth & proposed roadway improvements creates an opportunity to redevelop a community pocket-park at a popular crossroads in Delaware County. The landscape architects at Seidel Planning met with Municipal staff to identify program requirements including gateway signs, pedestrian plazas, landscape buffers, & sidewalks to be included in the updated park.
• 9/17/2019 - Re-envisioning retail!
  The SPD team conducted field investigation to assess the redevelopment potential of an existing retail center in Montgomery County, PA. Seidel Planning was joined by the site engineer, architect, & property owner & discussed opportunities including stormwater management, landscaping, lighting, walkability, traffic-calming, signage, alternative uses, site amenities, & façade enhancements to continue the growth of the center.  
• 9/6/2019 - Viewshed analysis complete!
  Seidel Planning & Design completed a balloon test & photographic inventory in West Mifflin Borough of Allegheny County, PA. The balloon test was publicly advertised in accordance with the Borough’s zoning regulations. Photographs obtained during the investigation will be utilized to prepare a viewshedanalysis & photographic simulations for presentation in future land use applications.  
• 8/29/2019 - FILED!
  Redevelopment plans to implement a self-storage & vehicle rental facility were filed in Southern New Jersey this morning. Seidel Planning & Design provided land use planning services including zoning analysis & interpretation, pre-application meetings with Township staff, and coordination of engineering & surveying services to finalize the site design and file the zoning & site plan application with the Township & County.
• 8/23/2019 - Big travels for small-cells!
  The staff at Seidel Planning & Design continues their travels through the tri-state area conducting inventories of proposed wireless antenna collocations for small-cells to implement 5G wireless service.
• 8/22/2019 - Public notice is served!
  The staff at Seidel Planning prepared & coordinated the publication of a public notice required for a publicly advertised balloon test in western Pennsylvania. The notice was required to address the Municipality’s zoning regulations pertaining to applications for communications towers & wireless communication facilities (WCF’s).
• 8/22/2019 - A pre-application meeting in Montgomery County!
  Seidel Planning & Design attended a pre-application meeting with the Limerick Township staff & presented a sketch plan illustrating the proposed redevelopment of an existing commercial property.  Brian Seidel, RLA, AICP discussed the interpretation of certain zoning & land use provisions with the staff to address the expectations of the Municipality & streamline the application & approval process for the applicant.
• 8/8/2019 - Development illustrated in the Finger Lakes!
  Seidel Planning & Design prepared a Visual Impact Assessment to illustrate the potential viewshed for a telecommunications tower proposed in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. Seidel Planning & Design continues to provide land use planning services including testimony, graphics, & reports to thetelecommunications industry throughout the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.
• 8/1/2019 - Seidel Planning presents neighborhood park designs!
  Brian E. Seidel, RLA, AICP presented designs for neighborhood parks within the Northgate residential community to the Upper Hanover Township Planning Commission.  The designs minimized paved areas to reduce stormwater impacts, maximized community ‘greenspace’, & included a dog park, playground, & central plaza forentertaining & community events.
• 7/29/2019 - Photographic simulations prepared for small cell installations!
  Seidel Planning & Design provided dozens of photographic simulations to illustrate the potential view of 5G small cell wireless antenna proposed as utility co-locations in Pittsburgh, PA. The graphic exhibits will accompany site surveys, construction drawings, & permit applications for each proposed location.
• 7/24/2019 - Seidel Planning provides landscape plans to obtain construction approval in Bucks County!
  Final landscape plans sealed by the landscape architects at Seidel Planning & Design were submitted to accompany a construction permit application in Upper Moreland Township. Plans were required to address the Township’s screening, buffering, and replacement tree requirements while improving curb-appeal from the adjacent County Line Road.
• 7/19/2019 - An early morning in Western PA!
  Seidel Planning & Design provided a photographic inventory of proposed 5G small cell locations in Pittsburgh. The photographs will be utilized to prepare photo-simulations to illustrate the minimal visual impact of the installations proposed in Allegheny County.
• 7/17/2019 - Multi-story self-storage proposed in Bucks County!
  J. Wesley Beers, RLA provided testimony before the Quakertown Zoning Hearing Board to support a special exception application to convert an existing nonconforming, 4-story industrial building to a self-storage facility. Mr. Beer’s testimony was supplemented with exhibits including county land use maps & site context photographs to illustrate the unique character of the property & surrounding land uses.
• 7/11/2019 - Affordable housing proposed in Greenwich Township!
  Brian Seidel, NJPP attended the Greenwich Township Planning Board meeting in Warren County, NJ to provide land use planning testimony in support of the proposed development consisting of a 100% affordable, 64-unit multi-family development in Warren County New Jersey.
• 7/9/2019 - SPD’s renderings presented to obtain final site plan approval & variances!
  Renderings & graphics prepared by Seidel Planning were presented to obtain final site plan approval &variances from the Planning Board for a mixed-use commercial development proposed in Bridgewater Township, NJ. Presentation materials included photographic simulations & 3d site models illustrating views of theproposed hotels, restaurant, banquet hall & adult day care from adjacent roadways & properties.
• 7/8/2019 - Variances in Essex County New Jersey approved!
  Brian Seidel, NJPP, LLA provided land use planning testimony to the Montclair Township Planning Board in Essex County, New Jersey. Mr. Seidel’s testimony supported variances for interior illumination of signage & increased building height to accommodate the adaptive reuse of a historic building in the community’s central business district.
• 7/4/2019 - Wishing all a happy holiday from the SPD crew!
  Wising you a Happy & Safe Fourth of July from Seidel Planning & Design!
• 6/26/2019 - New development proposed for Fishtown!
  Seidel Planning & Design prepared & submitted a zoning compliance report to support a special exceptionapplication in the City of Philadelphia. The report was introduced with Mr. Seidel’s land use planning testimony before the City’s Zoning Board of Appeals.
• 6/25/2019 - Site visits & staff meetings to expedite approvals in Swedesboro, NJ!
  Seidel Planning & Design conducted site visits & met with Logan Township staff to discuss potential variancesfrom development standards & use regulations to support the redevelopment of a substantial industrial center within the Gloucester County community. SPD presented a sketch plan & prepared an outline of applicable zoning regulations for discussion with the staff to identify the smoothest path to approval for the developer.
• 6/24/2019 - Seidel Planning & Design goes downtown!
  Brian Seidel attended the Planning Board Meeting in Montclair, NJ to support variances requested to renovate &repurpose a historic building within Montclair’s commercial downtown.
• 6/17/2019 - Special exception approval received in Delaware County!
  Seidel Planning & Design presented site plans & provided land use planning testimony to obtain special exception approval in Nether Providence Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.  The SPD staff supported the development with visual impact assessments, presentations at community meetings, zoning review & interpretation, coordination with municipal staff, and preparation of amendments to land use regulations throughout the application process.
• 6/13/2019 - Seidel Planning’s land use planning services support economic development in Upper Chichester!
  Brian Seidel, RLA, AICP presented design concepts to Upper Chichester Township illustrating potential gateway improvements, streetscape elements, & civic areas to enhance the community for residents & visitors. As the municipal planner for the Delaware County municipality, Seidel Planning & Design provides land use planning services to support economic development within the community & develop the Commissioner’s vision for community growth in the Township.
• 6/12/2019 - Signed, sealed, & delivered!
  Seidel Planning & Design prepared landscape plans to accompany a land development application for a proposed commercial development in Absecon Township New Jersey. The multi-phased development includes salt-tolerant species and native grass & wildflower plantings separating planned phases of development in the Ocean County municipality.
• 6/11/2019 - Zoning analysis & assessment for Quakertown Borough!
  Seidel Planning prepared a written assessment of land use & zoning regulations to support the repurposing of an existing non-conforming historic structure. The report addressed Bucks County land use documents, Joint Municipal Comprehensive Plans, & the Borough’s zoning & development regulations to illustrate the suitability of the property for the proposed use & support the requested use variance.
• 5/30/2019 - Seidel Planning & Design plans for the future in Delaware County!
  Seidel Planning & Design represented a first-class township at a public stakeholder meeting. The meeting was held to assess community needs & priorities to implement future community improvements for a residential neighborhood. Seidel Planning & Design continues to provide municipal and community support thought-out Delaware County and the tri-state area.
• 5/29/2019 - Re-envisioning suburban retail centers!
  Seidel Planning & Design prepared concepts and design solutions for a variety of retail centers in the northeast. Recommended improvements included signage, music, branding, architectural façade improvements, landscaping, civic plazas, & site furnishings to improve the pedestrian experience & improve walkability.
• 5/29/2019 - Seidel Planning & Design participates in the Route 724 Task Force & provides land use planning recommendations!
  The team of volunteers is an initiative of the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) in collaboration with the Tri-County Area Chamber of Commerce (TCACC) involving municipalities, land owners, and developers in Montgomery & Chester Counties to facilitate the strategic growth of the corridor between Pottstown & Phoenixville.  
• 5/23/2019 - Planning testimony provided in Bergen County, NJ!
  Brian E. Seidel, NJPP, AICP attended a Planning Board meeting in the Township of Rochelle Park, Bergen County NJ in support of a proposed child-care facility. Brian provided professional planning testimony for bulk variances from signage and parking regulations supporting redevelopment of the existing industrial property & implementing a vegetated buffer from the adjacent residential community.
• 5/17/2019 - Seidel Planning supports smart-growth!
  The staff at Seidel Planning participated in a collaborative meeting with municipal staff and the DCTMA supporting smart growth, infill development, and implementation of multi-modal transportation routes in Delaware County, PA.
• 5/17/2019 - Seidel Planning & Design proudly support the Upper Chichester Township Board of Commissioners
  The land use planners at Seidel Planning & Design proudly support the Upper Chichester Township Board of Commissioners and their representation & involvement at the 2019 Pennsylvania State Association of Township Commissioners annual conference!
• 5/9/2019 - Martinsburg structure will pay for parks & recreation
  Seidel Planning & Design prepared photographic simulations illustrating design alternatives for proposedtelecommunications tower within the City’s Ambrose Park in historic Martinsburg, West Virginia.  The exhibits were presented to the City Council to determine the desired structure design & finalize a lease agreement withthe City. Funds provided from the tower lease will benefit the operation of the park which includes a community garden and dog park. ...
• 5/8/2019 - Impact assessments prepared to obtain variances in South Jersey!
  Seidel Planning provided rapid-response to address a municipal review letter received the day before an advertised public hearing. The SPD staff conducted field investigation & prepared an impact assessment for a proposed development in Alloway Township of Salem County, New Jersey. Exhibits were prepared & presented at the public hearing by the firm’s president, Brian Seidel, NJPP supporting his land use planning testimony & obtaining the requested D1 use variance and site plan ...
• 5/3/2019 - Hotels on the rise in Somerset County!
  Seidel Planning & Design conducted field investigation to assess the visual impact of height variances requestedfor the construction of two (2) hotels proposed within a mixed-use commercial development in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey. A balloon test was conducted by SPD to identify the location of the two hotels. Photographs of the balloons were obtained from surrounding roadways & properties and utilized withdigital site models to prepare photographic simulations illustrating views from ...
• 5/2/2019 - A vision for the Boothwyn Town Center presented in Delaware County!
  The land use planners & landscape architects at Seidel Planning presented a new vision for the Boothwyn TownCenter to the Upper Chichester Township Board of Commissioners. Brian Seidel, RLA, AICP presented graphic exhibits illustrating the unique character of the area, opportunities for commercial infill & redevelopment, &streetscape improvements to improve walkability within the community.
• 5/1/2019 - Professional Planning Testimony provided in Morris County!
  Land use planning testimony was provided by Brian Seidel, NJPP AICP to support variances required for aresidential development application in Washington Township.
• 4/17/2019 - Residential development approved in South Brunswick, NJ!
  Brian E. Seidel provided professional planning testimony in South Brunswick Township of Middlesex County to support the subdivision of residential parcels & C1 variances to allow the continuation of existing nonconforming building setbacks.
• 4/15/2019 - Architectural features approved in Burlington County!
  Brian Seidel presented testimony in Evesham Township, New Jersey receiving approval of sign variances for a national retailer. The retailers’ façade contained exterior lighting and a wall-mounted architectural design determined by the township to be ‘signage’. Mr. Seidel’s testimony supported the opinion the wall-mounted design should be considered an architectural feature which was encouraged by the ordinance. The testimony resulted in an approval from the board to ...
• 4/9/2019 - SPD participates in Delaware County Task Force!
  Seidel Planning & Design provided land use planning consulting services at a community task force meeting toassess land use impacts of alternative roadway configurations for roadway improvements proposed to the Route 322 corridor in Delaware County. The task force was developed as part of PennDOT’s proposed improvements to the US 322 Conchester Highway extending through Concord, Bethel, and Upper Chichester Townships.
• 4/3/2019 - A Big Win in Whitemarsh Township!
  Brian Seidel, RLA, AICP provided extensive testimony and presented graphic exhibits prepared by Seidel Planning & Design, Ltd. to obtain use variance approval for the construction of a telecommunications tower in Whitemarsh Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Mr. Seidel presented graphic exhibits illustrating the limitations of the zoning regulations, an analysis of alternative site locations, & the suitability of the property for the proposed use to justify the Board’s approval.
• 3/26/2019 - Industrial expansion approved in Somerset County, NJ!
  Land use planning testimony was provided by Brian Seidel, NJPP in the Township of Branchburg to obtainconditional use approval & approval of c variances and design waivers requested for the expansion of an existing industrial warehouse & office building in the Township’s I-1 Industrial district.
• 3/25/2019 - Conditional use approvals brewing in Hatboro!
  Land use planning testimony was provided by Brian Seidel to obtain conditional use approval for Redefined Caféin the Borough of Hatboro, Montgomery County to permit a café & retail sales as an accessory use to the existing scrap yard on the same property. https://redefindcafe.com/
• 3/20/2019 - Diversity of Landscape Architecture!
  Brian Seidel & Wes Beers, both landscape architects at Seidel Planning & graduates of Temple University’sLandscape Architectural program, participated in a panel of professionals at the University to discuss diversity of the profession with students and future graduates of the program.
• 3/19/2019 - Another win in the City of Lancaster!
  Lancaster City’s Zoning Hearing Board approved special exception applications for the installation of wirelessantennas on utility poles within the City’s right-of-way. The decision was based on Brian Seidel’s land use planning testimony presented at a prior meeting indicating the use of the proposed antenna & wirelesscommunications equipment was subordinate to the principal use of the utility poles which should be appropriately classified as “wireless support ...
• 3/7/2019 - Use variance approved in Bensalem Township, Bucks County, PA!
  Brian Seidel RLA, AICP supported a use variance to expand an industrial construction office into the adjacentresidential zoning district. Mr. Seidel supplemented his testimony with graphic exhibits & highlighted the suitability of the proposal with the surrounding and uses, consistency with the Township’s comprehensive redevelopment plan, & proposed measures to minimize potential impacts on the adjacentcommunity.  
• 2/25/2019 - The wheels of planning keep turning!
  Land use planning testimony was provided by Brian Seidel, NJPP in the Borough of Fort Lee to obtain approval of c-variances requested for the renovation & expansion of an existing automotive repair center including building renovations, site improvements, & related signage in the Bergen County community of New Jersey.
• 2/11/2019 - Land development approval received in Chester County
  A development proposal in Chester County received preliminary land development approval from the East Coventry Township Board of Supervisors. Seidel Planning & Design supported the application with land use planning testimony, landscape plans, graphic exhibits, & a written Natural and Cultural Impact Assessment report.
• 2/5/2019 - We’ve got this covered!
  Brian Seidel, LLA, NJPP provides land use planning testimony in support of a conditional use variance & design waivers to install a canopy at an existing automotive service & fueling station in the historic Borough of Stockton, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.
• 2/2/2019 - Development impacts reviewed in the City of Historic Martinsburg!
  Seidel Planning & Design visited historic Martinsburg, West Virginia to assess the potential impacts of a proposed development on surrounding historic structures & historic districts to address the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) requirements in the Berkeley County community.
• 1/30/2019 - Phase I complete!
  The land use planners & landscape architects at Seidel Planning presented a phased master plan for the redevelopment of an office & technology park in Chester County, PA. The plan fulfilled the companies’ vision to provide additional parking while improving the walkability & pedestrian safety with outdoor plazas & collaborative areas.
• 1/28/2019 - A big win for small cells!
  Brian E. Seidel RLA AICP presented land use planning testimony to the Lancaster City Zoning Hearing Board supporting the installation of 5G small cells on existing utility structures within the City’s rights-of-way.  Seidel Planning & Design prepared written Site Suitability Assessments for each location providing an interpretation of the City’s zoning regulations, and justification for the requested relief to obtain approval from the Board.
• 1/21/2019 - SPD supports zoning applications in Maryland!
  The team at Seidel Planning supported a development proposal in Carroll County Maryland with graphic exhibits including site context maps & photographic views to illustrate the suitability of the property for the proposed use.  
• 1/17/2019 - Township Shade Tree Commission provides a recommendation of approval!
  Brian Seidel, LLA appeared before the Ramsey Borough Shade Tree Commission obtaining a recommendation of approval for a landscape plan prepared for a proposed pediatric consulting office proposed in the Bergen County municipality.
• 1/10/2019 - Seidel Planning appointed as land use planner in Upper Chichester Township!
  The Board of Commissioners of Upper Chichester Township, PA appointed Brian E. Seidel, RLA, AICP as the Municipal Land Use Planner for 2019. SPD has been involved in several redevelopment initiatives with the Township including the US Route 322 Improvement Taskforce & is excited to extend services to support the economic development efforts in the growing Delaware County community!
• 1/9/2019 - Creative downtown infill redevelopment!
   Seidel Planning & Design prepared concept plans illustrating the adaptive reuse of a vacant Main Street parcel for a beer garden & restaurant. The design incorporates the owner’s creative vision to utilize sea boxes & shipping containers for serving areas with outdoor seating & entertainment embracing the revitalization of Pottstown in Montgomery County, PA.
• 1/9/2019 - Variance approval to get the year started!
  Brian Seidel NJPP presented land use planning testimony & received approval of a D(2) variance for a proposed generator within a commercial center in Maple Shade, NJ. Mr. Seidel addressed the site & zoning characteristics to illustrate the positive aspects of the application outweigh potential negative impacts.

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