A proposed development for the Owl Creek area of Tamaqua was given a mostly green light by the members of Tamaqua Borough Council who approved the developer’s request for several waivers from the zoning code and SALDO.

Sue Kandil, the project engineer for the Tamarack development, which will consist of 18 subdivided lots along a cul-de-sac in the area of the Owl Creek Reservoir, explained that she was there to ask for approval from council following the recommendation of the planning commission, which she had met with earlier in the month.

The development, which has been in the works since at least 2011, has undergone several changes since the original proposal.

The plan has decreased from the originally proposed 23 residential lots to 18 residential lots. One will be used for water retention and one will remain undeveloped for the time being.

The most significant change involved including sidewalks along both sides of the approximately 1,000-foot length of the cul-de-sac.

Originally the plan called for them on the south side of the street only.

Other waivers included a request for the first horizontal curve tangent length to be only 71 feet, versus the required 100 feet. Kandil said this was required because the existing lots on either side of the tract had already been established. The length of the cul-de-sac was also requested to be 1,068 feet, rather than the allowed 800 feet, and included 18 lots, rather than the maximum allowed 10.

Kandil also requested an allowance for each of the 18 lots to have their own on site wells. Also discussed was the emergency access road at the opposite end of the cul-de-sac, which will consist of pavers covered by grass.

Members of council, including President David Mace, and Councilwoman Mary Linkevich questioned Kandil extensively about the impact of the development to the surrounding area.

Linkevich asked to see the included area marked with flags in the near future so that she could actually see how much of an impact the development and clearing of trees would have on the recreation area at the Owl Creek Reservoir.

Ultimately, council approved all of the requests, although Linkevich voted no on the request to have 18 lots, instead of the maximum allowable 10.