From their front porch on Lewis Road, Kevin and Monica Rebbie can see the vacant Stanley Tool Works building. Next door, straw still covers the new landscaping at the Kiddie Academy day care facility. It’s one of several commercial developments near the Route 422 interchange that has changed the landscape of Lewis Road.
In a way the Rebbies’ porch – and conflict with Limerick Township over its renovation – illustrates the choice faced by many Lewis Road homeowners.
They can sell their homes and move elsewhere, or they can stay put, despite a growing commercialization of this once rural stretch of road.
“The conclusions are: What’s going to happen to this strip?” Kevin Rebbie asked. “Is it all going to be commercial?”
Neighbors, Rebbie said, are “jumping out of here.” Rebbie and his wife, Monica, are staying in Limerick for now. They decided to enclose a pre-existing porch on their property as part of a home-remodeling project. Many locals know their home, located at Lewis and Benner roads, by the red bench that wraps around a tree.
Two township employees, according to Rebbie, told him he did not need a building permit to enclose his porch. Nevertheless, the middle-aged couple received a letter from Limerick shortly after work began late this spring.
“They said we needed to stop,” Rebbie recalled.
Dan Kerr, Limerick township manager, said the concern all along was about the Rebbies building a new dwelling unit on their property. That would require a building permit.
Rebbie met with Kerr and Zoning Officer Greta Martin-Washington last week. He had told the township all along that he did not want to install new plumbing or electrical lines.
Township officials instructed him to halt construction again, this time after Rebbie received the green light to proceed with a partial enclosure.
“We were trying to be nice to the guy,” Kerr said.
The main point of contention is whether or not Rebbie can install a door. When fully enclosed on all sides, the “porch” could become a new living unit, Kerr said.
“What is ‘open air’?” the homeowner asked. “They want me to rip the door off.”
Kerr could not say with certainty if Donna Weaver and Paul Chestnut told Rebbie he could proceed without a permit. Asked if the township has found employees giving contradictory information, Kerr said: “We are running into those problems.”
Homeowners should always get such approvals in writing, he added. Meanwhile, Chestnut denies ever speaking with Rebbie about his porch.
Weaver and Martin-Washington were hired as outside contractors to handle codes and zoning in March of this year. Chestnut was fired along with two other township employees.
Kerr and Rebbie both say they hope to resolve the situation outside of the courtroom and without appearing before the zoning hearing board.
In July, the board of supervisors discussed road improvements and trends on Lewis Road. According to a study prepared by Traffic Planning and Design, much of the 0.8 mile strip between West Cherry Lane and the Lukoil/Wawa would be expanded to two lanes in both directions.
October 26th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
As a former resident and retired state office, this story sounds like so many others that come from this twp. First you have offcials saying one thing until it all goes bad. then they deny everything. That way the twp;, will stand by what ever they say at the present.Then they will threaten the home owner with taking them to court or bring this before the hearing board. When the little guy finds either way it will cost them thousands they will back down. A tactic that has work very well for the twp:. On one hand you have the twp;, wanting people to improve their homes for the beauty of the community. Yet this porch has caused the twp:, to go to extremes. I believe it dwells into more than just an enclosment. The twp:, only wants to develope above the WAWA. Yet with the correct donations to the twp:, creative permits were developed for this Kiddyacademy. From what I understand its the daughter or something like that who wanted it and the twp:, went along with the father or uncles request. Lets point out thet structure is below where the twp:, wants to develope commercial properties. By making a big deal over this porch has me wondering why anyone would give a hoot about a room without electric or heat. Unless the twp:, wants the old stanley tool works to be developed and the house on Benner and Lewis will be in the way. So enters the “RIGHT TO KNOW” law. As this law happens a resident may have the right to know what is going on. For a goverment to share information. For instance is the house in question targeted for eminent domain? To something as simple as, if a twp:, member had lunch on the the company dime as it were. A tax payer has the right to know what they had and how much it cost.
As far as the Rebbies house, by the way when you mention the bench around the tree. People know exactly what house and have good things to say. But for the situation, I have seen this before where the twp:, starts a process called “gentle nudging”. It involves such things as scare tactics and suggestions of selling. As a neighborhood, you should rally for these people. Start a petition, defend your fellow person, as they would for you. If a goverment does not reveal what their plans are until its to late for the unsuspecting, then they themselves have broken the law. And in plain print you can read about the twp:and its downfalls.
October 27th, 2009 at 11:03 am
Kevin and I want to thank you Mike for posting our story.
We would also like to thank Mr. Hart for his comments. You hit the nail on the head on so many counts. I guess we aren’t the only ones who have been treated this way.
Our goal is to bring this house back to life and make it something beautiful to look at. We planned to be here for many years. Now, only time will tell. But its good to know that there are residents out there who are on our side.
October 27th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
I watched Limerick run a man and his business of his long owned property just east of the Airport. He was told his structure was in the flyway and was a hazard to landing and departing aircraft. The home and business has since been razed and the man has died.
The enitre incident seems suspicious now as for many years the land and the property remains undeveloped. It remainds suspicious as to what the real motivation was. The property was adjacent to the Bowling alley’s lot so I think the owners there may hae some insight as to why this man’s home and business had to go.
This use of codes to impact individual homeowners strikes me as enforcment for “hidden agendas” and should be scrutinized carefully. Recommend a legal beagle bu retained to examine and watch over this affair.. Something seems amiss… The enclosed porch impacts no one other than the owners and perhaps the intent is to make them uncomfortable nudge… nudge….
October 28th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Mike,
With your site and public reporting.Dont you think you could have a petition on your site or somewhere people could respond? (to show in large numbers, who is on whoms side).To nudge the township back. These people may lose their home to the townships greed. If the township so called leaders think strip malls are the answer, then lets look at some facts. The strip mall in Royersford has stores. And i believe the Domino’s has been robbed a few times. Stores like these have better places to be. The Giant and Kohls area is a fine place. And its filled with people whom are of the good natured. Create crap and that is just what you will have. I have seen the Rebbies house and for the past few years i have seen good changes. The term “King of the castle” refers to the common man,and in this case the “King and Queen”. If we had everyother person take pride like the Rebbie’s then think of how many castles there would be. And not slummy strip malls, if i wanted slums i would have voted yes to the casinos. Good luck the Rebbie’s in your indever.
October 29th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Kevin and I would like to thank both EJ Cox and Tom Q for their comments and support. Up until now, we felt very alone in our situation. We are grateful to know there are people out there who not only have knowledge of the Township’s tactics, but are willing to have their voices heard. Perhaps we should send a clear message on November 3rd, Election day!
Monica Rebbie
December 8th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Mr & Mrs. Rebbie,
All the best of luck with your home. I turn into Benner several times a day, as I’m downs the street from you. You can tell that you are putting a great deal of hard work into your home – and I hope it becomes everything you dream! I felt bad when I had learned that you had to stop work on your porch. I hope this has all worked it self out! The hanging light in front is pretty cool! Take care! Christine Henson
December 9th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Christine,
Thank you for your compliments! It so nice to know that people are supporting us in our efforts.
Have a wonderful holiday!
Monica and Kevin