Because OpenWrt is a project for an open-source secure firmware that abides to the license terms?
You could basically do your research and start a branch, then if you fall behind in security or violate license terms then that affects your branch but keeps the name of OpenWrt clear of that.
There was already a long discussion about 8/32 Should OpenWrt/LEDE support devices with only 4MB Flash? - #263 by richb-hanover-priv, so I don't really why this separate topic was started in the first place.
I imagine if starting a separate topic was to start a fork then you could have clearly mentioned that.
On separate note, some of posts here severely violated the rules, despite the explicit reminder.