Malvern Borough Council Eases Regulation for Sheds, Patios

At a swift meeting on Wednesday night, Malvern Borough Council approved a change to the definition of “land development” for borough zoning ordinances and approved an ordinance to join the PA Intergovernmental Risk Management Association. The latter change will save the borough over $40,000 a year in expenses, council member Dick Sponenbergh said.

Council Approves Changing Definition of Land Development Ordinance

The Changing Definition of Land Development Ordinance explains that the Municipalities Planning Code permits the exclusion of accessory structures from falling under the category of “land development.” The building of such accessory structures, then, does not require the approval of the Malvern Borough Zoning Hearing Board. The Malvern Zoning Ordinance of 2003, however, does not clarify which accessory structures are excluded from this definition.

The new ordinance explains that accessory structures, such as a small shed or appliance, such as a generator, subordinate to an existing principal building or use, are excluded from the definition of land development, provided that the area of earth disturbance does not exceed 400 square feet and will not result in any change in parking, stormwater runoff, impervious surface, intensity of use or impact nearby properties or the public generally, the ordinance states.

Structures that fall within those guidelines are excluded from the definition of land development include:

• Shelter for household pets
• Storage sheds
• Bathhouses
• Gazebos
• Decks
• Patios
• Tennis courts
• Noncommercial greenhouses

The ordinance was unanimously approved.

Council Approves PA Intergovernmental Risk Management Association Ordinance

The PA Intergovernmental Risk Management Association Ordinance authorizes the Borough of Malvern to join with other local government units as a member of the association. As such, Malvern employees will have their risk liability pooled with other local government employees, lowering liability insurance rates by spreading the cost of risks over a bigger base, council member Duance McCrory said.

“It saves us in excess of $40,000 a year,” council member Dick Sponenbergh said.

The borough had already joined the risk management association prior to the May 17 meeting, but was still within the 60-day opt-out period if the council did not approve the ordinance, Borough Manager Sandra Kelley said.

The borough joined the association prior to official authorization because it made financial sense, according to President Woody Van Sciver.

“The calculus for the $30,000 savings required a commitment by May 1,” Van Sciver said.

The Council unanimously approved the ordinance.

Borough Accepting Bids For West King Street Project

Van Sciver also announced that the Borough will accept sealed bids for the 2011 West King Street Streetscape Improvement and Roadway Improvement Project until 10 a.m. on Friday, June 3, 2011, at which point they will be publicly opened and read aloud.