Tale of 2 development plans in Marple
To the Times:
In response to the
letter dated Nov. 24, 2018, we would like to ensure the Marple community understands the process we are engaged in with the township.
While we continue to prefer redeveloping Don Guanella under the Preservation Plan, where 166 acres of the 213acre site are preserved in perpetuity and an amenity-rich, mixed-use project is built on the former Don Guanella site plus an additional nine acres, Marple residents and commissioners may prefer for the property to be developed under its current zoning. While we think the Preservation Plan has many benefits including limiting and concentrating the development only on Sproul Road, ultimately what matters is what Marple residents and commissioners want. Therefore, we have proposed two paths forward to develop the site, the by-right plan under the current zoning and the alternative Preservation Plan.
The Preservation Plan requires the township commissioners to engage with us on both the proposed development under the rezoning and the mechanics of the preservation of the open space without the necessity to raise taxes.
While we have been invited to discuss these topics during regularly scheduled public meetings, our hope is to meet more frequently with commissioners in a smaller group in order to have productive discussions about a subject matter that can be technical and complex. We welcome a select group of residents and media to sit in on the meetings, the contents of which will all be made available to the public.
That said, if Marple residents and commissioners do not wish to consider the Preservation Plan, there is nothing we can do except develop the property under the current zoning. This is because under Pennsylvania law, even considering the rezoning is at the Marple’s board’s discretion. As a result, we submitted an updated, fully engineered version of the residential plan as part of the land development approval process.
We are prepared to work with the township on the by-right plan, as well as the Preservation Plan if there is interest, and are looking to further engaging with the board and the community on this important project.