“Dom and Dommer” give update on Concord Township

Posted by Emily Myers on January 3, 2013

“Dom and Dommer” the two Dominics from Concord Township Board of Supervisors demonstrated with details and maps their extensive knowledge despite their self ascribed nicknames. Dominic Pileggi and Dominic Cappelli updated the members of the Chadds Ford Business Association on the developments in their township.

The Chadds Ford Business Association held its annual meeting on Thursday, Jan. 3 at the Brandywine Prime Restaurant in Chadds Ford. Lisa Dort, from WSFS, stepped up as the new CFBA president for 2013 and introduced the supervisors.

“No more big boxes” is the rule for the historic overlay district which begins at the Sun East Federal Credit Union on the corner of Conchester Road and Baltimore Pike. Walmart and others approached the township to develop the property where the old Ethan Allen store was located. They were turned down. The demolition is beginning for development that property for an outpatient clinic for Childrens’ Hospital of Philadelphia.

Another medical facility will be created by Christiana Care Health System. They will renovate the old AIG building on Route 202 south of Namaans Creek Road.

The recent Board of Supervisors meeting that attracted a large crowd was the hearing about the 320 acres of the Woodlawn Trust land located in Concord Township. A common misunderstanding is that the land was designated for open space, but Pileggi explained that the Trust was set up by William Bancroft to provide affordable housing and preserve open space. Over the years the Woodlawn Trust Trustees have developed parcels of land to fund the housing purposes of the Trust. The request for change in zoning from single home to 120 clustered age-restricted homes will enable development while preserving the Penns Wood Winery, open space, walking and riding trails. The developers will be asked to put a light at Pyle Road and Route 202.

Concord Township has 250 acres of open space. A 6 million dollar bond was passed, and the income supports acquisition of new open space. Taxes have remained at .944 mils in the township for the last three years.

Hearings have begun on the parcel to be developed for Wegmans Store which will be located a loop road to be developed. The parcel straddles Chadds Ford and Concord townships. Hillman Drive and Route 202, where William Bunch Auctions is located, will be the south west portion of the loop road. The south east portion will go through the Dry Cleaners located across from Hillman Drive. When completed the southern loop road will mirror the northern loop which goes around Painters Crossing on the west and State Farm Insurance on the east.

In other news, Outback Steakhouse will be moving from Glen Eagle Square to Concordville Towne Center. Main Line Health owns the property where the old Fiber Metal plant is located but has not filed for development of that property. A Citadel Bank will be build where the gas station was located on the corner of Evergreen Drive and Baltimore Pike near the Shoppes at Brinton Lake.

Pileggi noted that PA State Representative Stephen Barrar just moved his office to Concord Township at the corner of Route 202 and Beaver Creek Road. Also noted was that PA State Senator Dominic F. Pileggi has his office near the Shoppes at Brinton Lake on Evergreen Drive.

Questions from the audience ranged from land development, to school security, and on to police force protection. The myriad of detailed answers were sprinkled with humor which kept the audience engaged.

About Emily Myers

Emily Myers has lived and worked in Chadds Ford for over thirty five years. She founded the parent company of Chadds Ford Live, Decision Design Research, Inc., in 1982. ChaddsFordLive.com represents the confluence of Myers' long time, deep involvement in technology and community. Myers was a founding member of the Chadds Ford Business Association and currently serves on its board of directors. Her hobbies include bridge, golf, photography and Tai Chi. She lives with her husband, Jim Lebedda, in Chadds Ford Township.