Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Planners review conditions
Commissioners recommended 48 conditions for developers to meet if they receive the approval to build at Crebilly Farm
WEST GOSHEN >> The Westtown Planning Commission meeting Monday focused on conditions to be considered in the proposed housing development at the Crebilly Farm.
Horsham-based developer Toll Brothers submitted a conditionaluse application to potentially build a minimum of 317 homes, or a maximum of 397 homes, on the 322-acre farm at the intersection of routes 202 and 926. Residents and area residents have opposed the plans during recent meetings and raised concerns that the development may create issues with traffic, congestion, and sewer problems.
Planning Commission Chairman Richard Pomerantz led the three-hour meeting at West Ches-
ter East High School. It was the fifth meeting to educate the public about the plans.
Pomerantz reiterated comments he had made throughout the process. He said that he wished past supervisors had the foresight to know to protect land from being poised for development. Part of the land has history of the Battle of the Brandywine during the American Revolution.
“… When you ignore, or do nothing to preserve your past, you compromise your future,” Pomerantz said. “It didn’t have to be this way.”
Township consultants created suggestions for the commissioners to consider. Solicitor Kristin Camp explained that the suggestions were recommendations drafted regarding the development plans. The commissioners then discussed nearly 50 suggested conditions for a “flexible development” plan that could be presented to the township supervisors.
The plan has a maximum of 319 homes, including two existing units on the property. Other conditions include keeping open space and preserving the historic structures on the property, such as the chapel and the old barn. Additionally the conditions include relocating
the Westtown Inn/Darlington Tavern to be used near or in conjunction with a recreational park on the property. The exact location would be determined with input from the planning commissioners and park and recreation members.
Planning Commissioner Scott Yaw said that he did not believe that the developers met their burden to address the traffic impacts or concerns raised by the township traffic engineer. He said they need to explain the impact the development will have on traffic. If that wasn’t addressed, Yaw said, the plans could be rejected. The audience applauded his comment.
Public comment about
the conditions, traffic impacts, increased population in public schools, and other concerns followed the discussion on the proposed conditions.
The commissioners made a motion to propose the conditions if the developers can satisfy their proposal in accordance with township ordinances. Camp explained that the commissioners’ recommendations to the supervisors would be subject to the developers agreeing to meet the conditions. Vice Chairman Russell Hatton questioned approving the conditions because of the possible traffic issues that development could create, which the commissioners did not
think were addressed in the plan by developers.
“We would send a stronger message if we deny the application,” Hatton said.
Camp said that Toll Brothers may believe it met its burden, and if a court agrees, then without voting on the conditions on Monday it could be possible that the conditions would not need to be considered by the developers at a later date.
The commissioners voted 6-1, with Hatton dissenting, to recommend the conditions to present to the supervisors. The commissioners said that they do not believe the developers met the requirements addressing the traffic impacts, and will
ask that they do so. If the developers do not meet the total of 48 conditions the commissioners approved, then the commissioners recommend that the supervisors deny the whole application.
The supervisors set a meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 22 at Stetson Middle School for the Toll conditional-use proposal. At that meeting, it will be determined what parties will be permitted to participate in the conditional-use proceedings.
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