Chadds Ford builder Joe Grace has plans to develop the former Goodman property along Oakland Road near Brintons Bridge Road.
The 90-plus acre property, which was once a riding school and stable, is in the R-1 Zoning District that calls for 2-acre lots. However, Grace and his attorney, Mike Dignazio, discussed several options with members of the township Planning Commission during their June 11 meeting.
One option is a straightforward by-right plan that would allow Grace to construct about 35 new homes on 2-acre lots. While there would be no zoning changes or special permission required for that type of development, there would be little open space, Dignazio said.
Homes built that way would use on-site sewage and water.
Two other options include a PRD — planned residential district — ordinance. Both ideas would increase density to 40 new homes, but there would be more open space.
If the property were developed with 1-acre lots, there would be 30 acres of open space in a wooded area. However, Dignazio said, if the homes are clustered and built on lots of one-half acre each, there would be an additional 19 acres of open space for a total of 49 acres.
Dignazio said those other 19 acres would be along Oakland Road and dedicated to the township to preserve the historic corridor. Both of those designs call for public sewer and water instead of on-site systems.
Township resident Noelle Barbone said she likes the PRD concept. She said they're more environmentally friendly because of the extra open space and the public systems for sewer and water.
There was no voting on the matter during the meeting. The session was an informal discussion of a sketch plan with no formal application yet on the table.
Most of the concerns from commission members centered on housekeeping matters regarding setbacks and how to proceed with the matter.
Commission Chairman Craig Huffman wondered whether there would next to be a text amendment or a new PRD ordinance, but did say clustering is a sensible approach. Dignazio said Grace is willing to work with the commission and follow its lead.
Dignazio was uncertain when they would return to the commission with a formal application.
Mansfield Development, a company owned by the Grace siblings, is the legal entity proposing the project. Their father Joe is the consultant.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
(4 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
Loading...
As a current resident of Brintons Bridge Rd, and father of two young children, I am happy to see a developer is looking to build a community with public water and sewer—an extreme rarity in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District. Not having to worry or maintain these basic utilities would be a huge draw for me and my family.
In my opinion, if the developer follows through with 1-acre lots and also includes: natural gas heating, non-stucco siding and sidewalks for kids to safely ride their bikes, this community would be one of the most coveted in the entire area.