Concord Ventures hearings resume

Posted by Rich Schwartzman on January 9, 2019

Hearings for the proposed Concord Ventures planned residential development along Watkin Avenue resumed Tuesday with the same tedious testimony by the numbers they had before they were suspended.

Attorney Marc Kaplin, representing Concord Ventures, had engineer Ben Crowder read sections of the Concord Township Zoning Code and then ask him how the proposal meets provisions of the zoning ordinance. Kaplin then had Crowder read sections of opposing counsel Marc Jonas’ remarks, with Crowder saying the remarks were incorrect.

At least one person in the audience fell asleep during the session. Several others admitted they almost did the same.

The gist of Crowder’s testimony, under both direct and cross-examination, was that the plan is consistent with township code, including the amount of open space provided and access to it. However, under cross-examination from Jonas, Crowder did say the township Planning Commission recommended the plan not be approved.

One matter of law to be decided is whether some provisions of the township code need to be satisfied for inclusion in a tentative plan or whether they can wait until a final plan is submitted.

Hearings were suspended in June after a zoning variance expired and the applicant failed to apply for an extension. According to code, the PRD needs a minimum of 50 acres but the site involved is 49.02 acres. Concord Ventures had to go back to the Zoning Hearing Board for another variance, which was granted in September, according to Kaplin.

The plan calls for 29 townhomes in six buildings and 166 apartments in three five-story buildings. Opponents have said the development is not in the best interest of neighboring homes.

Lori Kidd, one of the residents Jonas is representing, said last year that the apartment buildings and their parking lots would crowd space, block sunlight and intrude on privacy for residents on Dain Avenue.

The next hearing is scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. on Jan. 22.

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.