By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-07 17:03:27 | Updated at 2024-12-23 15:00:46
2 weeks ago
The owner of Delco Steaks has caused an uproar in a small Pennsylvania town due to his monster-sized mansion.
In October, entrepreneur Nicholas Reynolds and wife Alana sent a letter introducing their family to members of the Broomall community in Marple Township, Delaware County.
The couple assured they would help shovel snow, jump car batteries and even watch over children at the bus stop in exchange for support on their behemoth project.
'Please be there for us, we need you!' wrote the couple in the lengthy letter.
They also explained that they had decided to move into Broomall after losing their son, Luciano.
But as construction began, town locals were left raging over the size of the 'monstrosity' and an apparent invasion of privacy.
'I want know how this was allowed to get this far? Not only will I not sign his letter that I received but I will sign the petition against the variances that he is requesting!' one Reddit user raged.
'This is right behind my fence and I have lost all my privacy! I feel like it’s lowered the value of the homes in my area because! Absolutely no one wants to live next to or face this monstrosity! Yes I will be at that meeting opposing everything that he’s requesting!
Nicholas Reynolds, the owner of Delco Steaks has caused an uproar in the Broomall community in Marple Township, Delaware County due to his monster-sized mansion
Reynolds’ builders had already constructed a good portion of the 5,000-square-foot property months before he requested his neighbors’ support - leading to even more frustration among the community
'My fence that is old was knocked down twice by their backhoe! He even offered to get me a new fence which I highly doubt! Selfish of him to put this monstrosity in this neighborhood!! there are areas in Marple Newtown where they have built beautiful homes and right off Highland Avenue there’s a whole development going in he could’ve moved there!
'He certainly paints a picture in that letter of the citizen of the month! No one is above the law!!'
Another resident questioned: 'Kind of weird to use a personal tragedy and the connected trauma as the emotional reasoning as to why he needs this house built imo.
'And the very last part reading here in the comments is basically him threatening the neighbors with more construction and “bad visuals” if they don’t support his plan. Also if I’m being 1000 percent honest, why is this extra money to rebuild suddenly an issue if having 5 kids wasn’t?'
One Redditor who claims to have received the letter revealed: 'We got the letter. I have not heard a nice word about how he conducts business.'
'I feel he got himself into a situation where he gambled on a decision... But, the larger issue is (imo), what would stop someone from doing this again? Building property line to property line?
'Then, again and again. I have no personal experience or opinion of the Reynolds family. I hope a favorable outcome for all parties, is achieved.'
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Reynolds’ builders had already constructed a good portion of the 5,000-square-foot property months before he requested his neighbors’ support - leading to even more frustration among the community.
The couple assured they would help shovel snow, jump car batteries and even watch over children at the bus stop in exchange for support on their behemoth project
In October, they sent a letter introducing their family to members of the Broomall community
Reynolds’ builders had already constructed a good portion of the 5,000-square-foot property months before he requested his neighbors’ support - leading to even more frustration among the community
Township attorney John McBlain noted during the first variance hearing in October that Reynolds had deviated from the housing plan they initially approved
Township attorney John McBlain noted during the first variance hearing in October that Reynolds had deviated from the housing plan they initially approved.
He told members that the home was 'not being built in accordance' with the two site plans Reynolds’ builders had previously submitted to Marple officials.
Code officials who visited Reynolds’ construction site in July also revealed that the garage’s foundation had been poured 'too close to the property line' and found the structure’s footprint violated several setback codes.
Soon after, township locals launched a petition against the gigantic property and managed to garner around 100 signatures from 80 households.
As a result, Reynolds’ attorney, the township and neighbors settled on a tentative building proposal that would serve as a compromise at a November 20 zoning board hearing.
According to the new plan, the property’s footprint would shrink by cutting back a section of the garage and the rear porch as well as planting dividers between his property line and another.
However, some residents are being forced to consider other options, such as moving out of Delaware county, in fear that officials will approve Reynolds’ variances at a December 18 meeting and much of the home will remain standing.
