Hearing on zoning ordinance postponed

Development plans include a 4-story apartment building with parking underneath and about 120 single family homes

We’re going to need a bigger boat.

Proposed development plans consisting of commercial and residential uses drew a large crowd to the public hearing scheduled for Thursday evening at the Caln Township building regarding a zoning ordinance. However, the hearing was postponed because a larger meeting room is now required.

“We can’t hold the meeting here tonight because it’s a fire hazard,” Township Solicitor Kristin Camp said on Thursday about exceeding the maximum capacity of 60 people in the board room. “We won’t have it because we didn’t anticipate this.”

A concerned neighbor had posted fliers around town to inform people about attending a public meeting to have their voices heard. Some have concerns about how it will impact traffic.

The public hearing, when rescheduled, will be conducted by the Caln Township Commissioners to consider an ordinance for adaptation regarding the zoning and its zoning text amendment for the age qualified overlay district.

A developer has plans to propose constructing a fourstory apartment building with parking underneath the building and about 120 single family homes for people aged 55 and older. Additionally, developers are proposing to build commercial uses on the property known as Lloyd Farm on Route 322 (Manor Avenue). Regal Builders, “Wild Meadows,” has purchased this property located behind St. Joe’s Parish from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

When asked by a resident, Camp said the matter not does involve a request for a variance. The developer, known as the applicant, petitioned the board to make an amendment to the zoning ordinance. She explained that anyone who owns property in the township has the right to petition the board of commissioners and in this case, the developer has a proposal to change the zoning ordinance in the matter that impacts the property they own. To do so, the commissioners are having a public hearing to receive input from the developer and the public.

“No decisions have been made,” Camp said. “That’s what the purpose of the public hearing is, to take input.”

She added that it is a zoning text amendment with a map change to the property that the developer owns, and the underlying zoning will remain the same. She said the developer wants to add an overlaying district which is another “alternative way to develop the property.” The map and the text of the amendment will be available on the township website.

She announced that the

hearing will have to be relocated to a larger location such as a school and the hearing will be advertised in the Daily Local News classified ads. She hopes the meeting will be held sometime in January and it will not be held before then.

The crowd filled the available seats, stood in the back of the room and in the hallway waiting to get into the board room. The residents in attendance from Caln Township and the Downingtown area signed a contact sheet to receive an email about when the meeting will be held.

Camp said the public hearing will be the only matter on the agenda when it is rescheduled and she anticipates that the hearing will continue on for several nights for the commissioners to hear the residents who wish to speak during the public comment portion.

“Everybody will be given the opportunity to make a comment and speak. We are not denying you that right,” Camp said. “We just can’t hold it tonight because obviously we can’t fit everybody into this room. I appreciate you coming out. I apologize that you cannot be heard this evening.”

She encouraged the residents to stay informed via email from the township officials about the new hearing date and by checking the township website for information.

Camp informed the residents that there had been planning commission meetings about the matter and that no residents were in attendance. Many people responded that “we didn’t know” and said “there was no notice.”

Wanting to ensure his neighbors were informed about the matter, a man announced he posted fliers. He thanked the residents for showing up to share their input and become informed.