Critics team up to rip plans for Don Guanella development
MARPLE >> The Save Marple Greenspace group has joined with environmental groups to form a larger coalition as consideration continues on development plans for the Don Guanella property in Marple.
The Whetstone Coalition – named after the Darby Creek tributary Whetstone Run – joins together Save Marple Greenspace with the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Crum Creek Neighbors and the Darby Creek Valley Association to protect the natural resources existing on the 213-acre property proposed for residential or commercial development overseen by Carlino Commercial Development. Whetstone is looking to pool its resources which may include retaining an environmental and land use attorney.
An email update sent to Save Marple Greenspace’s supporters on Monday made the announcement, stating that it was created after a by-right plan was presented by the developers to build 232 housing units within 140 acres of residentially-zoned tracts of the vast property.
Environmental concerns have been a constant issue brought up by Save Marple Greenspace and other community members at public meetings. Because the plan would require removing a number of trees in the wooded area of proposal, there is concern that it would increase impervious surfaces and contribute to more flooding in the area and storm water would overflow further down the Darby Creek to other communities.
There is also concern about public connection to sewer lines and how much the whole of the property would contribute to some already high capacity systems.
At an August meeting before the Marple Planning Commission, civil engineer Chirag Thakkar said the plan does conform to the already-defined zoning regulations even while working within in constraints of its natural features (streams, slopes and riparian buffers).
County and township engineers have issued review letters on the plan which addressed environmental features of the land where the houses are proposed. The county said the plan “appears compliant with current regulations,” while suggesting the plan be resubmitted incorporating their comments. Marple Engineer Joseph Mastronardo listed 51 comments on the plan, 10 under a section titled stormwater.
Carlino plans to submit an updated by-right plan to the township incorporating Mastronardo’s comments by Oct. 25.