Limerick Township is one step closer to hosting a cricket complex and a horse riding academy after the Board of Supervisors heard two conditional use applications at its April 7 meeting.
The cricket facility, proposed by Parkmat, LLC, for 361 West Linfield-Trappe Road, drew the most attention. The project calls for a regulation-size outdoor cricket field, a 33,000-square-foot indoor recreational building with batting cages, a cafe, fitness gym, and retail shop, plus about 190 parking spaces spread across a primary lot off West Linfield-Trappe Road and a gated overflow lot off South Limerick Road. Three parcels would be consolidated to create roughly 14 acres in the Office Limited Industrial zoning district.
The Limerick Planning Commission had recommended approval of the project in March.
A Growing Sport Seeks a Home
Amar Kulkarni, a managing partner of Parkmat, LLC, told the board the facility would operate on a membership basis with two to three tiers, with total membership expected to reach around 200 to 225 members at most. Kulkarni said the complex would serve youth leagues and adult recreational players, with outdoor games running from late April through September. Weekend matches — lasting four to five hours for youth and up to seven and a half hours for adults — would be the primary draw, with four or five larger events per year clustered toward the season's end.
Kulkarni emphasized that the facility would be alcohol-free and that the applicant had withdrawn plans for outdoor field lighting in response to neighbor concerns. The overflow parking lot on South Limerick Road would be used only during bigger events.
Addressing noise concerns, Kulkarni described cricket's sound profile as limited to clapping, cheering, and the crack of the bat — comparable to baseball — with play occurring hundreds of feet from the nearest homes.
Traffic, Parking, and Neighbor Concerns
Traffic engineer David Horner said the proposed entrance on West Linfield Trappe Road is expected to handle traffic without issue, even during peak periods, and would not require additional turn lanes. He added that visibility at the driveway meets PennDOT safety standards.
Supervisors questioned whether the January traffic study that was conducted fully captures summer conditions, particularly with nearby soccer events potentially adding congestion. Horner said winter traffic levels are generally higher, making the analysis conservative, but acknowledged requests for additional crash and speed data. Traffic-related details are expected to be addressed further as part of the land development process.
A nearby resident whose property borders the proposed main parking lot, raised concerns about light and noise impacts. The applicant’s engineering team said design elements would be used to help minimize those effects.
Environmental Safeguards Discussed
Board members also raised questions about how the field would be maintained, including the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and stormwater controls. The applicant said turf management would follow standard practices and that chemicals would be applied by licensed professionals. The team also said it would work toward establishing a 50-foot buffer from a nearby stream and incorporate best management practices to limit runoff.
Township Solicitor Rebecca Geiser said she would draft a formal written decision summarizing the findings for the board to vote on at a future meeting. The public hearing was closed without a vote Tuesday evening.
Horse Riding Academy Approved Unanimously
In a shorter hearing, the board unanimously approved a conditional use application from Ashley Softchin to operate a horse riding academy at 465 Game Farm Road on 8.2 acres in the R1 residential agricultural district. Softgen plans to offer 30- and 60-minute lessons by individual appointment using horses already on site, with operating hours ending before sunset.
An attorney representing Softchin told the board the project involves no new construction — only the addition of parking spaces — and that Softchin is working with PennDOT on a highway occupancy permit determination. Engineer Frank Tavani said he expects the driveway to qualify as a minimum-use permit given projected daily trips of roughly 20, well below the 50-trip threshold.
Like the cricket complex, the planning commission had given the application a recommendation in March. Softgen agreed to comply with all conditions in review letters from the township's engineers and confirmed she has no plans for events, competitions, or summer camps at this time.
This article was generated with AI assistance. All content was reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by John McGuire.
