Support of Variance Approval to Rebuild 1021 River Road Following a House Fire
We, the undersigned neighbors and community members, support the approval of the necessary variances for the Hammond family to rebuild their home at 1021 River Road Washington Crossing, PA. Their home was devastated by fire on April 8th, 2022, and they have been displaced from the neighborhood for over two years. The Hammonds are eager to return home and rejoin the community they cherish.
Due to their location in a floodplain and the township's Substantial Improvement ordinance, they are required to obtain a variance in order to rebuild their home, which has proven to be a long and expensive process. The homeowners are willing to comply with the township’s requirements by filling their basement and elevating their first floor by 2 inches. Since their basement can no longer house the necessary mechanicals, they must build a small FEMA-compliant mechanical room. In order to complete their rebuild, they are seeking approval for variances related to reconstruction in a floodplain.
Why We Support The Requested Variances:
- Compliance with FEMA and Floodplain Regulations: The homeowners are committed to complying with FEMA’s floodplain regulations by filling their basement and elevating the home as required. However, the variances they are requesting are critical to allow for the construction of a FEMA-compliant mechanical room in order to properly house the necessary mechanicals that were once permitted in their basement. Granting these variances is a reasonable request to accommodate the practical needs of the homeowners while ensuring full compliance with flood safety regulations.
- Community Support for Safe and Timely Rebuild: The requested variances will enable the homeowners to move forward with their rebuilding process without further delays. Given that their home was destroyed by fire over two years ago, swift approval will allow them to return to their property and community as soon as possible and alleviate the significant emotional and financial burden imposed upon them since their displacement.
- No Negative Impact on Neighborhood Properties: The variances being requested will not negatively impact neighboring properties. The homeowners are taking all steps to comply with local and federal regulations, ensuring that their home will be safe and in harmony with the surrounding area.
By signing this petition, we are asking Upper Makefield Township and its Zoning Board to approve the variances requested by the Hammond family. We believe this is a fair and necessary step to allow our neighbors to rebuild their home safely and in accordance with all regulations.
Updates
September 21, 2024
The township board is still dragging their feet while the Hammond family remains locked out of their own property. I am sick of the red tape keeping a grieving family from their own land after everything they lost in the fire. We are putting every official on notice that this endless bureaucratic delay is cruel and completely unacceptable.
September 21, 2024
The township board can no longer ignore the mountain of support for the Hammond family. We have built enough momentum to prove that this community refuses to let bureaucratic red tape destroy their chance to finally go home.
15 Comments
We respectfully request that you consider this petition so that my son and his family can return to their first home after their house fire almost 2.5 years ago. Thank you.
This is a sin to keep this lovely family out of their home for 18 months. There was a time UM township helped us not hinder us.
I was the one who discovered the small fire in Mike and Sams house. The fire dept. came and had everything out in less than 20 mins. They had smoke damage though. I don't understand why FEMA is involved. That house has not flooded in the 35 years I have been here. Never seen this house close to flood waters. All they want to do is get back in their home. But they got entangled in red tape that doesn't even apply to them. It so sad what the government can do to you on your own property. I would like to attend the meeting but my wife is dying of cancer and I need to be with her.
The Hammonds have been working very hard to be in full compliance with all Upper Makefield building code requirements. They have been out of their home due to a devastating fire since April 2022, they need to return to their home as soon as possible.
Please approve the reconstruction of the Hammond’s home. They have been displaced for far too long and the burden to their family has been significant.
I am in favor of the township to approve the variances for the property.
I highly support this petition!
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Support of Variance Approval to Rebuild 1021 River Road Following a House Fire
We, the undersigned neighbors and community members, support the approval of the necessary variances for the Hammond family to rebuild their home at 1021 River Road Washington Crossing, PA. Their home was devastated by fire on April 8th, 2022, and they have been displaced from the neighborhood for over two years. The Hammonds are eager to return home and rejoin the community they cherish.
Due to their location in a floodplain and the township's Substantial Improvement ordinance, they are required to obtain a variance in order to rebuild their home, which has proven to be a long and expensive process. The homeowners are willing to comply with the township’s requirements by filling their basement and elevating their first floor by 2 inches. Since their basement can no longer house the necessary mechanicals, they must build a small FEMA-compliant mechanical room. In order to complete their rebuild, they are seeking approval for variances related to reconstruction in a floodplain.
Why We Support The Requested Variances:
- Compliance with FEMA and Floodplain Regulations: The homeowners are committed to complying with FEMA’s floodplain regulations by filling their basement and elevating the home as required. However, the variances they are requesting are critical to allow for the construction of a FEMA-compliant mechanical room in order to properly house the necessary mechanicals that were once permitted in their basement. Granting these variances is a reasonable request to accommodate the practical needs of the homeowners while ensuring full compliance with flood safety regulations.
- Community Support for Safe and Timely Rebuild: The requested variances will enable the homeowners to move forward with their rebuilding process without further delays. Given that their home was destroyed by fire over two years ago, swift approval will allow them to return to their property and community as soon as possible and alleviate the significant emotional and financial burden imposed upon them since their displacement.
- No Negative Impact on Neighborhood Properties: The variances being requested will not negatively impact neighboring properties. The homeowners are taking all steps to comply with local and federal regulations, ensuring that their home will be safe and in harmony with the surrounding area.
By signing this petition, we are asking Upper Makefield Township and its Zoning Board to approve the variances requested by the Hammond family. We believe this is a fair and necessary step to allow our neighbors to rebuild their home safely and in accordance with all regulations.
Updates
September 21, 2024
The township board is still dragging their feet while the Hammond family remains locked out of their own property. I am sick of the red tape keeping a grieving family from their own land after everything they lost in the fire. We are putting every official on notice that this endless bureaucratic delay is cruel and completely unacceptable.
September 21, 2024
The township board can no longer ignore the mountain of support for the Hammond family. We have built enough momentum to prove that this community refuses to let bureaucratic red tape destroy their chance to finally go home.
15 Comments
I'm in full support of my brother and his family returning to their cherished home. A displacement of a family with young children is hard enough, but after almost 2.5 years, this variance approval requires immediate action from the township.
We respectfully request that you consider this petition so that my son and his family can return to their first home after their house fire almost 2.5 years ago. Thank you.
This is a sin to keep this lovely family out of their home for 18 months. There was a time UM township helped us not hinder us.
I was the one who discovered the small fire in Mike and Sams house. The fire dept. came and had everything out in less than 20 mins. They had smoke damage though. I don't understand why FEMA is involved. That house has not flooded in the 35 years I have been here. Never seen this house close to flood waters. All they want to do is get back in their home. But they got entangled in red tape that doesn't even apply to them. It so sad what the government can do to you on your own property. I would like to attend the meeting but my wife is dying of cancer and I need to be with her.
The Hammonds have been working very hard to be in full compliance with all Upper Makefield building code requirements. They have been out of their home due to a devastating fire since April 2022, they need to return to their home as soon as possible.
Please approve the reconstruction of the Hammond’s home. They have been displaced for far too long and the burden to their family has been significant.
I am in favor of the township to approve the variances for the property.
I highly support this petition!
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I'm in full support of my brother and his family returning to their cherished home. A displacement of a family with young children is hard enough, but after almost 2.5 years, this variance approval requires immediate action from the township.