Decision pending on Ridge Road
Chadds Ford Township supervisors are scheduled to announce next week whether they will appeal a judge’s decision to dismiss their litigation against Ridge Road Development. Delaware County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Greene dismissed the complaint with prejudice in early February.
The issue centers around the Concord Township property at Ridge Road and Route 202. Concord approved a commercial development for that site but set a condition that Pettinaro Construction, the parent company for Ridge Road Development, needed a letter from Chadds Ford Township saying proposed highway improvements were satisfactory. Those highway improvements including widening Ridge Raad from two to six lanes and that has been a concern with Chadds Ford residents living on or along Ridge Road.
Chadds Ford Township Supervisors’ Chairman Frank Murphy said early last year that he wouldn’t sign such a letter unless township residents’ concerns over a feared traffic increase were addressed. That stance led to a series of litigations between Pettinaro, Concord and Chadds Ford.
Township solicitor Mike Maddren said at the time the board could appeal the ruling or request a reconsideration but said during the supervisors’ Feb. 28 workshop that trying to fight the ruling could be a waste of time and money. He cited a previous decision by Common Pleas Court Judge Chad F. Kenney against Chadds Ford when it sought an injunction in the case as his reason.
“Judge Kenney decided that there’s no chance of success on merits. The action of the prior board in signing off on the highway occupancy permits was an issue that Concord deemed to be tacit approval of the roadway improvements. I think Judge Kenney’s theory was, regardless of whether it was tacit approval or not, it was certainly in Concord’s power to withdraw that condition…At this point, it would be throwing bad money after good to move forward…My advice would be to not proceed further,” Maddren said.
Following a roundtable discussion between Murphy, fellow supervisors Samantha Reiner and Noelle Barbone and engineer Mike Schneider concerning options — such as signage to keep large trucks off Ridge Road — Murphy suggested tabling a final decision until the next regular supervisors meeting on March 7.
Other business
A familiar face has returned to the Chadds Ford municipal building. Former Township Secretary Maryann Furlong is back as secretary and assistant to Township Manager Matt DiFilippo. Furlong will also serve as the right-to-know officer, Planning Commission secretary and deputy roadmaster.
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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