September 11, 2013 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Around Town Sept. 12: Chadds Ford remembers

Outten kids-15 — Around Town Sept. 12: Chadds Ford remembers

• Chadds Ford Township remembered the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks with a ceremony at the Brandywine Battlefield Park. The above photos shows park Education Coordinator Andrew Outten with three young members of the Lamont family, from Preston, Conn. as they rang the Remembrance Bells in honor of the passengers of Flight 93 that crashed in Shanksville, Pa.

• The Chadds Ford Republican Party announced that it has endorsed Carolyn Daniels as a candidate for school board director. “I love the kids, I love the school and I love the community. I’m excited and hope to have the opportunity to serve,” she said. Daniels, a 20-year Chadds ford resident, will challenge Leticia Flores DeWilde in the Region C election in November.

• U.S. representatives from the region have come out as opposing a war in Syria. Representatives Pat Meehan, R-7, and Joe Pitts, R-16, each issued press releases on Sept. 10 to that effect. “I do not support using military action in Syria. Had the President pushed for a vote on authorization this week, I would have voted no,” said Pitts. Meehan said: “It is not clear how intervening in Syria’s civil war, absent an imminent threat to the United States, best serves our national interests. Rather, its plans have the potential to open a Pandora’s box of regional conflict that imperils America’s critical allies, particularly Israel.”

• The Brandywine River Museum is once again hosting its annual Harvest Market weekends in the museum courtyard beginning Saturday, Sept. 21 and running through Nov. 10. Admission is free for members and is included in the price of admission for others.

• State Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi is hosting a free community shredding event from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 21, in Concordville. Wiggins Shredding providing an industrial-strength shredder for this event. It will take place at the State Farm Insurance building on State Farm Drive. Area residents are encouraged to bring up to four boxes of personal documents to shred.

• Glen Mills artist Charlie Phillips performs live at Darlington Arts Center on Saturday, Sept. 21 to kick off the arts center’s 2013-2014 Coffee House Concert Series. Known for his eclectic style and fresh sound “hinting at the Beatles one minute and Tom Petty the next (Main Line Today.The concert starts with an open mic at 7:30 p.m., followed by Charlie Phillips at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 for general admission (or $10 for Darlington members) and include free coffee, tea, and desserts. Purchase tickets in advance by calling 610-358-3632 or visit www.darlingtonarts.org. Darlington Arts Center is at 977 Shavertown Road in Concord Township.

• The Kennett Area Senior Center sponsors its “Treasure Barn” garage sale on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Come shop for home decorations, kitchen supplies, appliances, puzzles, toys, clothing and much, much more. Hot dogs, chili dogs, chips and drinks will also be available for purchase. Please contact the KASC at 610-444-4819 if you need more information.

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Chadds Ford Days in photos, sliding into fun

Local News

It was the 48th annual Chadds Ford days and the weather could not have been more cooperative. Chadds Ford Historical Society President George Franz could not have been more pleased. As usual, the two-day event had a little something for everyone.

Could someone be thinking about burgers?

Of course rthere was food. — Of course there was food.

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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YMCA expands in Kennett; still wants CF facility

Local News

The Kennett Square YMCA held a ceremony for its newly expanded facility, but its parent organization still wants a home in Chadds Ford Township.

With members, dignitaries — including U.S. rep. Joe Pitts and state Rep. Chris Ross —and a dozens of others on hand, youngsters were asked to officially cut the ribbon of the expanded facility Friday, Sept. 6.

The Kennett Y now has an arts studio with pottery kiln, a new half-gymnasium, a warm water pool and expanded exercise and weight rooms. In all, the facility grew by 25 percent.

But the YMCA of the Brandywine Valley is still looking to build a new facility in Chadds Ford Township and is now working with the township Planning Commission to make that happen.

A plan for such a facility was revealed last year and was one of the considerations — along with a townhouse development by K. Hovnanian Homes — behind a possible overlay district along Route 1.

Hovnanian wants to build along Brandywine Drive near the Hannum’s Harley Davidson dealership and the Y wants to build in the Henderson-owned business campus at Dickinson and Hillman drives across from the Estates of Chadds Ford.

However, the Planning Commission put the overlay project on a deep hold so Hovnanian and the Y are seeking other forms of zoning changes.

YMCA attorney Bob Adams presented a proposed text amendment to the zoning code to the commission during its Sept. 10 meeting.

The property in question is zoned LI, Light Industrial. As such, a YMCA or similar use is not permitted. The text amendment, if it passes the Board of Supervisors, would allow for a non-profit community center if it received conditional use approval.

There was much discussion back and forth during the presentation, much of which concerned traffic flow and vehicular safety in the area.

Commission Vice Chairman Bill Gross was explicit in his concern regarding traffic congestion at the intersection of Route 1 and Dickinson Drive, where many people would be turning in to go to the Y.

It’s “a dangerous intersection,” he said, adding that increasing the amount of traffic there is “not acceptable.”

Other factors under consideration include the location of the main driveway entrance and the proposed southwest section of the loop road that’s planned to connect Route 202 at Hillman Drive with Route 1 across from Brandywine Drive. That leg is controversial in itself since it, too, brings traffic in front of the Estates at Chadds Ford and alongside the Painters Crossing Condominiums.

Adams said a traffic study would be done.

The wording of the proposed amendment is not yet final. Adams said he would work on a revision and return for the commission’s October meeting.

The proposed YMCA would be a two-story structure with a first floor of 53,630 square feet and a second floor of 12,920 square feet. There would be parking for 335 vehicles, based on one space for every 200 square feet of Y space.

The ribbon cutting ceremony for the expansion.

Everyone enjoyed the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The aerobics machine area is larger and has a more open feel.

About Rich Schwartzman

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No widening, but possible Route 202 overlay

Along the Ford

While the long-proposed widening of Route 202 is still not much more than vaporware, Delaware County is still interested in improving things through the three western most townships. It is proposing a Route 202 Access Management Overlay.

Sam Haber, of the county Planning Department, presented the idea to members of the Chadds Ford Planning Commission on Sept. 10.

He said that since the state has no money for the widening project that’s been on the books for more than a decade, one possible solution is the overlay. Haber said the plan — which includes the strip of Route 202 through Thornbury, Chadds Ford and Concord townships — would improve traffic flow and provide for orderly land development.

It would address “traffic congestion, minimize traffic problems and enhance the appearance of Route 202,” Haber said.

The overlay would extend to 200 feet along both sides of the roadway and extend one-eighth of a mile at intersections. It would add public and private open space for recreational purposes, as well as agricultural harvesting and the grazing and pasturing of animals, he said.

One of the ways to ease traffic flow along the route, he said was to limit direct access from areas other than standard intersections. Basically there would be no new driveway access with three exceptions. They include marginal access roads — with one way in and one way out — shared access roads in which two developments would share a driveway — and reverse frontage developments.

The fewer access points, the better the flow of traffic, Haber said.

Zoning regulations became part of the discussion, basically over whether the overlay supersedes township code or vice versa. Some issues, such as permitted signage, conflict. The overlay allows for signs larger than Chadds Ford code, but prevents signs as large as those permitted by the billboard ordinance.

Haber said he would work with Township Manager Judy Lizza on new wording. He will also have to present the idea to Concord and Thornbury Township officials.

About Rich Schwartzman

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Police log Sept. 12: Car accidents in Concord and Pennsbury

Police

• State police said there was one minor injury resulting from a one-car accident on Garnet Mine Road in Concord Township on Sept. 3. A report said Patricia Waldron, the driver, was also cited when her 2000 Dodge Durango went off the roadway and hit a tree.

• A two-car accident on Evergreen Drive in Concord Township resulted in one minor injury and both drivers being cited. The Sept. 6 accident happened at 2:30 p.m. at the intersection of Evergreen and Conchester Road. According to police, Shane Peters, 26, of Ridley Park, was following too closely and struck the 2005 Honda Civic driven by Miroslav Skarvadova, 53, of Essington. One of Skarvadova’s passengers complained of back pain, but declined medical attention at the scene, the report said. Skarvadova, a foreign national, was cited for not having driving privileges in Pennsylvania.

• One driver was cited for a bad left turn, but no injuries were reported in a two-car accident on Route 1 at Ponds Edge Dive in Pennsbury Township on Sept. 4. State police from Troop J, Avondale barracks, said Douglas K. Hanby was cited for the improper turn when he made a left turn onto Ponds Edge from southbound Route 1, cutting in front of another vehicle on Ponds Edge. The accident happened at 9:54 a.m.

• A faulty left turn was the cause of a Sept. 8 accident in Concord Township. Police said a driver, unidentified in the press release, failed to properly negotiate a left hand turn onto Smithbridge Road from Concord Road, about 4:11 p.m. The driver failed to yield to oncoming traffic and struck another car traveling north on Concord.

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Photo of the Week: Unusual Sight

Photo of the Week

orange-mold-81 — Photo of the Week: Unusual Sight

Orange, not seen in too many places in the Chadds Ford area, grows on a tree along Bullock Road. At least it looks nice.

About Rich Schwartzman

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Adopt-a-Pet: Ellie

Along the Ford

Ellie is a sweet and gentle senior mixed breed in search of her forever home. Ellie came to CCSPCA as a lost dog in August, and it was apparent that she was not well taken care of in the past. During her stay at the shelter, Ellie has been treated for a skin condition that has left her back almost hairless. Ellie is looking for a family who will look past her age and present looks to see the true lovebug within – could that be you? If you are able to provide Ellie or any of our other animals here at the shelter a home, visit the Chester County SPCA at 1212 Phoenixville Pike in West Goshen or call 610-692-6113. Ellie’s registration number is 96816361. To meet some of our other adoptable animals, visit the shelter or log onto www.ccspca.org. Not quite ready to adopt? Consider becoming a CCSPCA foster parent – Kitten season is in full swing and CCSPCA needs fosters for kittens and mother cats. Additional information and applications are available online or at the shelter.

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