Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Conservancy close to saving land in Chadds Ford area
While the battle over a proposed housing development at the Crebilly Farm property in Westtown proceeds, an area land conservation organization has announced that its plan to save another nearby piece of open space is nearing completion.
Last week, the Brandywine Conservancy sent a message to its followers stating that it was within sight of its goal to raise $8 million to preserve the Beaver Valley property in Concord, Delaware County. “As of April 18 we needed to raise a final $700,000 towards our goal of $8 million,” the conservancy wrote. “The community’s response has been overwhelming with $525,000 raised in two days!
“We are now within $175,000 of our goal, which we must raise before April 26,” the appeal stated.
“The movement to save Beaver Valley began as a true grassroots effort and has been supported by close to 1,500 individual donations from people like you around the community,” the letter said. “We are all in this effort together and it is moments like these that define what is important to us. Open space is a precious commodity we cannot afford to lose. Please help us now and don’t let this opportunity slip away forever.”
Toll Brothers has proposed building more than 300 homes on the 322 acres of Crebily Farms in Westtown, near the intersection of routes 202 and 926. The township Board of Supervisors is currently holding conditional use hearings for the proposal.
The plan to save the 240 acres of Beaver Valley that adjoin the First State Heritage National Park in Delaware was first announced in November by members of the Delaware County Council, the conservancy, the Mt. Cuba Center in Delaware, and other organizations. Council Vice Chairman Colleen Morrone, a Concord resident, said that the proposal would keep the land from a planned housing development.
“Township and county residents will be able to continue to enjoy the pastures, winding trails and wildlife of the scenic and historic Beaver Valley property,” she said. “This serves as a model for future open space initiatives.”
The land is owned by Woodlawn Trustees, Eastern States Development Co. and McKee-Concord Homes and the latter two received preliminary land development/subdivision approval from the board last year for a 160home development to be known as Vineyard Commons.
To complete the purchase of the property, the conservation groups involved had to secure $8 million to finalize the purchase, which the partners had hoped to complete by spring 2017. Concord has committed $500,000 from its open space fund and Delaware County $250,000.
“Preserving Beaver Valley is a success story for the entire community,” Marrone said at the time. “This property has been enjoyed for generations and we commend all of the partners who worked to ensure it will be enjoyed for our future generations as well.”
A favorite spot for hikers, bikers, horseback riders and runners throughout the region, “the valley,” as it is known, was originally acquired by William Penn from the Duke of York in 1682. Nearly a century later, General George Washington’s troops fought the British on nearby land, and the scenic property has inspired generations of artists, including Andrew Wyeth.
The more recent history began in 2011, when the developers approached the supervisors to change the zoning. Following a series of public hearings, the board chose not to alter the zoning and the applicants returned with a by-right plan that complied with township code.
Contributions may be sent to Kim Reynolds, Director of Development, Brandywine Conservancy and Museum, P.O. Box 141, Chadds Ford, PA 19317. “Beaver Valley” should be included on the memo line of the check.