More than 10 years of controversy, bitterness and lawsuits are coming to not just a quiet end but also one that is almost joyous, at least for some people.
Pennsbury Township Supervisors voted Nov. 19 to move forward with their plans to buy three parcels of land that were once part of the hotly contested Pennsbury Village development.
They earmarked $4.8 million for 23 acres to be used for open space following a brief, but mandatory, hearing.
“I am overjoyed to hear this,” one resident said. “My hat is off to you for pulling this off.”
Another person, Paul Haldeman from the North American land Trust said, “We think this is wonderful.”
Of the parcels in question, two are adjacent to the township building. The parcel on the east side is 11 acres, while the one on the west is 9 acres. The third piece of land is a three-acre parcel on the southwest corner of Route 1 and Hickory Hill Road.
Those three pieces of land, along with a piece of township-owned property, would have been used for 116 townhomes had the village development come to fruition. However, the developer filed for bankruptcy last year. CF Investments, a subsidiary of Toll Bros., bought the land and is now considering selling it to the township.
Supervisor Aaron McIntyre said in a telephone interview last week that the supervisors were considering using the parcel on the east side of the township for active recreation, such as ball fields, but that wasn’t yet firm.
After the meeting, Supervisor Wendell Fenton said it would be best to wait until after the sale is final, and then form a task force to decide how the property should be used.
Of the $4.8 million, $4 million will be borrowed at an interest rate of 2.696 percent over 20 years. The debt would then be paid off using money collected through the Open Space Tax, supervisors said.
The additional $800,000 comes from money currently in the Open Space Fund. Fenton added that the Pennsbury Land Trust has also agreed to help fund the purchase if more money is needed.
Supervisors’ Chairman Charles “Scotty” Scottoline said the sale is still under negotiation and there’s been no final agreement on price. He and the other supervisors are hoping the township will buy the 23 acres by the end of the year.
He sees the purchase as a benefit for open space and for saving money. Scottoline said that without the village project and its 116 townhouses, the township doesn’t have to spend money on a new sewage treatment plant.
Others, such as resident Bob Crandell, said not having those extra homes would reduce the number of school children attending Unionville-Chadds Ford schools. That would help prevent spending more in school taxes, he said.
Other business
• The next Board of Supervisors’ meeting will be Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.
• Township Manager Kathy Howley said the 2015 budget is posted on the township Web site. It’s a balanced budget with revenue and expenses estimated at $1.5 million. There is no tax increase. Supervisors will vote on the spending plan at the Dec. 9 meeting.
• Traffic speed on Route 1 is still an issue in Pennsburg. Resident Tina Brunetti told the board she wants to see the speed limit dropped to 45 mph through the entire length of the township.
It’s currently 45 mph between Chadds Ford Knolls and Fairville Road in front of Chadds Ford Elementary School. From the Knolls west, it’s 55 mph until it drops again at the border with Kennett Township.
Residents are urged to contact the state police for more patrols and to call state Rep. Stephen Barrar to see if he can get the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to move on reducing the speed limit.
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.
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