RGS Associates partnered with The Hankin Group on Keva Flats, a luxury apartment community in Exton, Pennsylvania. Our involvement in Phase II turned a traditional stormwater challenge into Chester County’s first floodplain restoration project, while meeting stringent NPDES requirements. Keva Flats demonstrates how innovative engineering achieves both environmental stewardship and development goals.
Innovative Environmental Engineering
Keva Flats represents a groundbreaking approach to sustainable development in Chester County. Our team transformed a conventional stormwater management challenge into an environmental success story through Pennsylvania’s first floodplain restoration project, which met NPDES requirements. The innovative design replaced a traditional detention basin with a restored natural floodplain system along Lionville Run.
Complex Permitting Expertise
The project required navigating multiple regulatory agencies, including PA DEP central office, US Army Corps of Engineers, and West Whiteland Township. Our expertise in environmental permitting enabled a streamlined 18-month approval process, from conditional use submission to final NPDES permit, which is remarkably efficient for this type of complex restoration project.
Environmental and Community Benefits
The floodplain restoration delivers measurable environmental improvements, removing 50,000 pounds of sediment annually while creating a valuable wildlife habitat. More than 70 native botanical species were incorporated into the design, providing year-round flowering and supporting local pollinators. The restoration also eliminates traditional stormwater infrastructure, freeing up valuable development space for the 96-unit Phase II expansion.
Strategic Municipal Partnership
Our collaborative approach with The Hankin Group and West Whiteland Township resulted in a win-win solution where the municipality invested its standard impact fees directly into the restoration project. This innovative funding structure supported both environmental goals and community development objectives while positioning the project in the township’s preferred high-density town center zone.
The success of Keva Flats demonstrates how thoughtful engineering and environmental stewardship can work together to create sustainable communities that benefit both developers and the environment while meeting regulatory requirements.
