I recently came across the following article on Chadds Ford Live: https://chaddsfordlive.com/2015/02/06/cfba-gets-lowdown-on-concord/
After reading the article in its entirety, I am compelled to write this e-mail addressing the concerns of, not only myself, but many others in the communities of Chadds Ford and Concord Township.
As I am sure you are aware, there has been a great deal of (heated) debate over development proposals in Concord Township, particularly the Vineyard Commons and Hall property proposals as mentioned in the article. Despite overwhelming protests from residents, Concord Township has shown absolutely no concern for the desires of its constituents and continued on its mission to continue the development of its remaining open space.
What I find to be alarming is the fact that Mr. Pileggi's impromptu history lesson does not paint an accurate picture of Concord Township at all. He is correct about the major developments that began in the 1990s and, having lived within 5 minutes of all the new shopping centers and the like my entire life, I will say I enjoy the convenience of having these businesses close to home.
However, Pileggi did not even acknowledge the history of the disputed open space — a history that is extensive and important to preserve for future generations of Chadds Ford and Concord residents. He also, of course, did not mention that the open space shares a property line with the only National Monument in the State of Delaware. Nor did he mention the agreement Woodlawn Trustees made when purchasing the property from its original owner. Woodlawn paints themselves as a conservancy trust, but this is false advertising.
Sure, Woodlawn conserves open space, but only until they need money. That's when they change their tune and sell land they swore to protect. Then, worst of all, they justify it by saying they needed the money to conserve other open space properties under their ownership.
Pileggi also downplayed the extreme rate at which Concord Township has been built up. am only 25 years old, but as a lifelong resident of the area, the landscape of the Route 1 and 202 area looks nothing like it did when I was a kid. It's terrifying and it isn't stopping, only getting worse. The Wegmans (1/4 of a mile away from an ACME and Whole Foods), the Royal Farms (less than 1 mile from 2 Wawas and multiple gas stations)....the list goes on and on but when does it stop?
Why, as our local leaders, do people like Mr. Pileggi give no value to open space? Why do they give no value to the opinions of the very people who voted them into office?
Those questions are rhetorical, however, I would like to have the following questions answered:
Why did the CFBA agree to meet with Mr. Pileggi and Mr. Cappelli to begin with?
Is Chadds Ford looking to build itself up the same way Concord Township did? (Tearing down 400 year old buildings filled with history in order to build a housing development near the intersection of Foulk & Bethel Roads, for example.)
What interest does Chadds Ford have in what's going on in Concord Township?
Would the CFBA be willing to sit down with concerned residents and hear the real history of Concord Township from people who actually know it and have the documentation to prove it?
Would the CFBA be as willing to sit down with concerned residents to discuss these matters as it was with Mr.'s Pileggi and Cappelli?
Emily T. Holt
Concord Township
(14 votes, average: 4.86 out of 5)
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