Buck Landscaping Plans Taking Root

Buck Enterprises and Landscaping presented the Skippack Planning Commission on Monday night with their plans for land development and subdivision at 1254 Cressman Road, south of Skippack Pike. The plans, submitted at a Feb. 21 planning commission meeting, were reviewed by the commission and discussed at length and approved to go the final steps pending conditions.  Buck currently uses the site to store equipment, but the plans submitted are for Buck Landscaping permanent headquarters.

Scott Drumbore, environmental engineer with the H&K Group, was present to address all of the committee’s comments and concerns about the plans for the site.

Township engineer Timothy Woodrow expressed concerns around sewage easements to the property and the shared property line that crosses a retention basin.

Skippack Planner Joseph Zadlo had comments and concerns regarding the entrance driveway, lighting and the landscaping around the property, as well as curb and sidewalk concerns for the stretch of Cressman Road where the site is proposed.

Drumbore addressed all concerns and comments with absolute compliance, and made notes to revise the plans for the next and final phase before the commission makes a recommendation to the board of supervisors.

Woodrow also worked with Buck to develop plans to meet with property owners nearby that might be affected by stormwater overfall due to elevation development on the property.

“We want to make sure that we protect the neighbors and have a solution before moving forward,” said Woodrow.

The commission also waived a traffic impact study based on the estimated “less than 25 entries a day” noted by Brook Buck, owner of Buck Landscaping.

The commission will meet once more to address all revised comments and plans at next month’s planning committee meeting.

In other reports, Woodrow announced that work has been continuing at Biltmore Estates. Zaldo added that he and township manager Theodore R. Locker Jr. are currently working with THP to improve sidewalks.

Mary Gehman, of Skippack, asked about the accumulating piles of shale and pipes on the site. Woodrow answered that the piles were the materials used in drainage basin development.

In news, Locker updated the committee about the progress of a new prison structure on the Graterford property near Cressman Road and Route 73. Locker noted that progress is moving slowly due to a process of approvals for the facility plans, which were originally put in motion back in 2008.

Editor's Note: This story has been changed. The first paragraph elaborates on the plans.