Crebilly Farm discussions continue

Despite the boring nature of the topics discussed at the third planning commission meeting about the proposed development of Crebilly Farm, local residents turned out in record numbers to tune into what has become an ongoing, contentious issue.

Tuesday night at West Chester Rustin High School, over 200 township and county residents attended the meeting to hear sewer and traffic discussions between the planning commission and Toll Brothers representatives.

Between the two topics, residents seemed more concerned over the impact hundreds of new homes would have on traffic in and around the township.

Since the developer wants to build more homes than what the current zoning calls for, they need to submit a conditional use application and prove to the township that they will take steps to mitigate the additional impact - for issues such as traffic - generated by the homes.

Toll Brothers hired Nicole Kline, a traffic engineer with McMahon Associates, to deliver a report on the potential impact the potential homes would generate.

A report that the consultant hired by the township, Albert Federico from Kimley-Horn, criticized, and said that Toll Brothers has not met the burden of proof required by township ordinance.

However, because these public meetings with the planning commission is an iterative process, the developer can revise the proposal before undergoing the conditional use hearing before the board of supervisors.

When the developer goes before the regular board of super-

visors and begins the conditional use hearing, they need to prove beyond reasonable doubt they have met the requirements set forth by the ordinance if they want the board of supervisors to approve the application.

Federico said the study conducted by McMahon has some “technical deficiencies,” that need to be addressed.

Kline responded, saying that she disagrees with some of his comments and expressed a willingness to work with the township.

Also at the meeting, planning commission members said that some of them had received a tour of the Crebilly Farm property in order to get a better idea of

the proposed development.

Richard Pomerantz, the chair of the Westtown Planning Commission, described Crebilly as the “iconic centerpiece of Westtown township.”

“I wish we weren’t here,” Pomerantz said.

He also suggested that the board of supervisors request a tour of the property so they “can see first hand what they will be deciding on.”

State Rep. Carolyn Comitta, D-156 of East Goshen, was present at the meeting.

“I’m here to listen and learn and to help the citizens of Westtown however I can,” she wrote in a text message, but did not offer any specifics.