Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
New housing in works for Wayne estate of Campbell Soup heiress Dodo Hamilton
RADNOR >> Although no plans have been filed with the township, word is getting around that a developer has set his sights on the Wayne property of the late Dorrance “Dodo” Hamilton, who was one of the Main Line’s iconic grande dames.
A prominent philanthropist and an heiress to the Campbell Soup Co. fortune, Hamilton, who died in 2017 at the age of 88, had resided at her Wayne estate before deciding to spend more time at her home in Boca Grande, Fla.
Hamilton, a billionaire who grew up in New York and Newport, R.I., where she also kept a home, was a generous philanthropist who gave millions to various institutions in the Philadelphia area. In 1950, Hamilton had moved to Wayne with her hus
band, Samuel M.V. Hamilton, who died in 1997. At the time of her death, they were the parents of two sons and a daughter, the grandparents of nine and had five great-grandchildren.
Radnor Township Board of Commissioners President Jack Larkin, who represents Ward 1, has written about the pending development at Eagle and Strafford roads in his newsletters to residents. When asked to comment, Larkin referred a reporter to those missives.
“The developer has shown me two concept sketches for the lots; the first is purportedly a by-right plan, and includes approximately 40 homes,” Larkin wrote in his newsletter. “This is, to me, an unattractive plan: Because the units are, by right, single family dwellings, cramming 40 homes onto the two lots means filling them with houses without space for buffers, open space, or stormwater recharge areas.”
Larkin continued, “The second plan would require
a conditional use approval by the township, and would put approximately 50 homes into the two lots —41 town homes on the western lot, and nine single-family dwellings onto the eastern lot. Because the homes on the western lot are town homes, they leave a lot of space for the things that are absent in the by-right plan: Stormwater management, sidewalks, buffers, and open space. The density is problematic for me, but with that in mind, it is a good plan.”
“When we first discussed the property, they took my stormwater concerns seriously and the concept sketch they presented had already incorporated stormwater management facilities above and beyond what was required by the ordinance,” Larkin wrote. “Second, when they met with the township engineer for feedback, they promptly incorporated his feedback into their design. Third, they’ve already asked for a meeting with residents to discuss their plans and get your feedback.”
Meanwhile, about 40 nearby neighbors sent this statement to Larkin: “We understand and appreciate the developer’s rights to develop the property, and our goal as a neighborhood is not to squash any development, but to mitigate any negative changes to the neighborhood and keep its current character. For those of us who have lived here many years, we have seen the negative effects of cutting down trees on the Hamilton’s property and the building of just four homes on the corner of Strafford and Eagle Road. Despite the assurances of the engineers, developers, and other experts, our neighborhood has been substantially damaged and our lives negatively affected by ‘tiny’ changes to the Hamilton’s property. There are approximately 40 neighbors on Strafford, Hedgerow, Grant, Forrest, Fairfield, and Old Eagle School who will attest to being harmed financially by the improper regulation of storm water runoff in the past.
“The character of the neighborhood will be drastically changed by the proposed development. Haverford Properties is seeking to double the number of homes within our small community. Our current neighborhood contains 35 acres and 64 homes, approximately two homes per acre. The developers plan to
build 50 homes will result in 114 homes, for over three homes per acre. We already have a traffic problem, exacerbated by the fact that our community straddles two townships and counties. The Strafford train station is a delightful anchor to our neighborhood, but it too increases motor and foot traffic. Residents are already fearful to walk on Strafford Avenue. It is a death trap (with) no sidewalks, insufficient lighting, and a dangerous curve in the road. As a community we deserve better from both Radnor and Tredyffrin townships.”
The residents ask that the development plans include a detailed stormwater management plan with downstream bottle necks shown. And upgrades should be made to various pipes, inlets and grates.
They also request a commitment to save as many mature trees as possible.
No more than 30 town homes on the west lot and no more than seven singlefamily homes on the east lot.
They would also like a “continuous sidewalk connecting the corner of Strafford and Eagle with the corner of Strafford and Old Eagle School,” along with an egress from the west lot onto Eagle Road.
Some neighbors have requested that Strafford be made a one-way street, possibility
at certain times of the day or that speed bumps be installed, although they are unanimous on this issue.
They would also like Radnor and the developer to assure that any stormwater problems be taken care of if those arise.
“The increased tax revenue to Radnor Township will be substantial; however, there is no benefit to the neighbors nor the contingent Tredyffrin residents,” the neighbor’s letter noted. “Radnor Township must stand behind the stormwater management plan and provide a remedy, at (its) expense, should issues arise down the road. We request an escrow of funds (the amount to be determined) to be set aside for up to 10 years to pay for any material loss, damage, or other neighborhood expenses that occur due to ineffectual storm water planning.”
Meanwhile, the developer, Charles Houder, with Haverford Properties Inc., declined comment, saying that he wants to meet with the neighbors first.
On Monday, Larkin announced that the township will facilitate a meeting between the residents living in the vicinity of the Hamilton Property and the proposed developer of that site on Thursday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. in the administration area of the Township Building.