ROTE — Lamar Township Board of Supervisors held a special meeting on March 12 to address and review the results of a survey that revealed significant issues with the design of the Whitetail Estates development.

The survey, conducted by Vassallo Engineering & Surveying, along with township engineer Randy Webster, determined there is more impervious surface within the development than originally accounted for in the design plans.

Impervious surfaces — such as roofs, sidewalks and other materials that prevent water from soaking into the ground — can significantly impact stormwater runoff.

Supervisors emphasized the meeting was intended to gather information and continue working toward a long-term resolution for the subdivision and property owners, focusing specifically on problems that are tied to the berms constructed, an issue that homeowners have raised concerns about previously.

According to Webster, the findings mean the current plans for the development are not supported and that the original design did not properly account for the amount of impervious area, a design oversight that has continued to cause issues within the neighborhood.

Whitetail Estates, which includes Panther Lane, Doe Lane and Antler Lane, has been the subject of discussion in recent years as residents and township officials work to address stormwater management issues in the development.

In a previous article, The Express reported that numerous residents spoke during public comment at the township’s April 2024 meeting about ongoing drainage issues in the development.

Supervisors then discussed the role of the township with their solicitor, John Lhota, and what options may exist moving forward.

Potential solutions could include modifying existing berms, evaluating drainage infrastructure or pursuing other engineering recommendations to improve stormwater flow.

In response, the township has planned to move forward with redesigning and reengineering the project to correct the problems. Supervisors indicated that fixes will be developed for the affected properties and that the work will be completed at no cost to the homeowners.

“Rather than a dispute with nine or ten property owners, we’re dealing with just one developer and keeping the property owners out of it,” said Supervisor Dan Chappell. “We’re just trying to make (their) property built the way it should have been in the first place.”

The township currently holds a bond for $173,762 from the previous developer which will allow the supervisors to redesign the project before putting out bids.

“My advice, since there is a bond, the township nips it in the bud, does it correctly and gets it done,” said Lhota

The discussion marked another step in the township’s ongoing efforts to address concerns within the development.

Supervisors indicated the issue will likely be revisited at future meetings as more information becomes available and solutions are explored.