Updated on Friday, March 20, to add link to plan
The first public presentation of a proposed master plan draft for a walkable Chadds Ford Village – a layout that would enable visitors to traverse the town’s numerous attractions with ease - received an enthusiastic reception during its unveiling Wednesday night at the Chadds Ford Historical Society.
Peter Simone, a landscape architect with Simone Collins and a consultant for the project, presented a 50-minute slide show that provided an overview of the proposal as well as some conceptual renderings of some of its possible features. He then fielded questions for about 20 minutes from the audience of nearly 50 people, stressing that the plan “is still fluid.”
Simone encouraged area residents and stakeholders to submit feedback to Beth Burnam, a senior planner for the Brandywine Conservancy and one of the lead organizers of the project. Paper copies of the plan will be available at the Chadds Ford Township building, and electronic versions will be posted next week on websites of both the Brandywine Conservancy and the township.
After comments are received, the plan, which has been in the works since November, is expected to undergo additional revisions before the final master plan is submitted on May 20. “That’s when the real work begins,” Simone said.
He said that the plan already contains input from myriad sources, such as the Brandywine Creek Greenway Strategic Action Plan, a conservation initiative that involves 24 municipalities along the east and west branches of the Brandywine Creek; the Brandywine Battlefield Preservation Plan; and the Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan.
Simone said the goal is to make motorists realize that they are approaching “a special place” with myriad offerings, connect those offerings by adding pedestrian-friendly walkways, and create a sense of community that encourages visitors to linger.
He said the village would be delineated from Fairville to Ring Roads on Route 1 with “gateways” at either end that would visually alert drivers that they are approaching a noteworthy place through signage, banners or landscaping. He said traffic would be slowed by reducing lane widths and erecting medians, preferably elevated ones where possible.
A pedestrian walkway is proposed along the south side of Route 1, also known as the northbound side, that would provide many opportunities for pedestrians to access attractions safely. Another walkway would run along the west side of South Creek Road from the intersection of Station Way Road north to Route 1.
A new traffic light is suggested for the intersection of South Creek Road and Route 1, next to the Post Office and Bryn Mawr Trust branch, which would enable drivers to turn left onto Route 1, something that is currently illegal.
The new light would be synchronized with the one at Station Way Road so that it would not slow traffic, and Station Way Road would switch from one-way north to one-way south, providing better access for businesses. All three traffic lights in the village area – the other is at Ring Road – would have buttons to assist pedestrians in crossing the street, Simone said.
To improve parking, Simone said the Brandywine Conservancy has spoken with the owner of the property behind the Post Office, who is amenable to the idea of adding a parking lot for about 30 cars. He said details, such as who would pay to construct it, remain undetermined.
On the southbound side of Route 1 at Creek Road, Simone said a walkway is recommended from Hank’s Place along North Creek Road to the Chadds Ford Historical Society. The existing walkway adjacent to the Sanderson Museum could be upgraded to access other businesses, such as Antica and Brandywine Prime, along southbound Route 1. In addition, a boardwalk around the back of Hank’s would showcase a pond that is largely hidden from view while connecting to the conservancy’s existing trail network.
A couple of audience members asked whether anything could be done to prevent the flooding that plagues the area once or twice a year. Simone said the only solutions for that appear to be very expensive, regional ones that involve stormwater retention basins that protect downstream communities by controlling the release of water.
Although Simone said he did not know of grant money available for that kind of initiative, he said it is definitely available for the kind of recommendations in the Chadds Ford Village Master Plan. “We’re in a good funding environment right now,” he said.
The fact that the proposal involves both Delaware and Chester County and two townships – Chadds Ford and Pennsbury – increases the likelihood of getting funding, he said. “State agencies like to do projects that are multi-municipal,” he said.
Because it’s difficult to predict what funding would occur at what time, he said the project should be done in stages. “It’s a 10-, 15-year plan,” Simone said. “It’s not going to happen overnight.”
The audience included two Chadds Ford Township supervisors, Frank G. Murphy and Samantha Reiner. “We look forward to working with you,” Murphy told Simone.
Click here to see draft of Chadds Ford Village plan Readers are invited to send comments and questions from March 18 through April 15. Either email Beth Burnam at [email protected], or call 610-388-8396. The final plan presentation will be held on May 20 at 7 p.m., at the Chadds Ford Historical Society.
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