Members of Save-Ridge.org are continuing their fight against the Shoppes at Ridge Road and are asking Chadds Ford Township supervisors for assistance. The group filed a letter with the Board of Supervisors expressing concern over the township’s role regarding stormwater infrastructure associated with the proposed shopping center. Members of 43 households signed the letter.
The Shoppes at Concord is the proposed shopping center at Ridge Road and Route 202. The 25-plus acre site is in Concord Township but abuts Chadds Ford. Retail Sites of New Jersey is the developer.
During the May 27 workshop meeting of the Chadds Ford Township supervisors, Ellen Spoehr of the Save-Ridge group said:
“As homeowners, we would like to express sincere concerns about the Stormwater Management Plan for the proposed development at Route 202 and Ridge Road. After a quick preliminary look at the plans, a licensed engineer has identified what appeared to be several significant issues with the design. Particularly, a substantial portion of this stormwater runoff flows directly west into Chadds Ford and the Ridings neighborhood.”
That westerly flow of stormwater runoff that Spoehr cited was later supported by Supervisor Samantha Reiner, who commented that the proposed site for the center is in the Brandywine watershed and that all runoffs will flow west to the Brandywine Creek, and, therefore, through the Ridings and other properties between there and the creek.
Spoehr continued, “Residents deserve a full and transparent explanation of how this system will function, and what safeguards are truly in place to protect neighboring homes and properties. The 43 homeowners that signed this letter or households, it’s actually 55 homeowners are deeply concerned about PennDOT’s repeated requests that all of their documented comment letters that Chadds Ford applied for and maintain the stormwater management system within the PennDOT right of way associated with this project.”
She said the homeowners ask that the supervisors “decline any application or agreement that would place long-term maintenance responsibility for this infrastructure on Chadds Ford Township.”
Spoehr argued that since the proposed development is in Concord Township, the responsibility for stormwater control is on Retail Sites or Concord.
The letter Spoehr emailed and then again gave to the supervisors specifically states, “This application requires separate applications from both Concord Township and Chadds Ford Township for the maintenance of stormwater facilities in each municipality.”
The letter also includes eight specific questions regarding the HOP [highway occupancy permit] regarding stormwater. Among those questions are:
- Does Chadds Ford Township intend to submit the separate Highway Occupancy Permit application requested by PennDOT for stormwater maintenance responsibilities?
- Has the Township already agreed, formally or informally, to assume maintenance obligations for any portion of the proposed stormwater system?
- What analysis has been conducted regarding the long-term financial liability, repair obligations, and replacement costs associated with these facilities?
- Has the Township negotiated or secured any legally binding financial guarantees to protect taxpayers from future maintenance burdens?
- Will the Planning Commission require Retail Sites to present this stormwater maintenance proposal for a full independent engineering review?
- Will the Township require sufficient funding from the developer to ensure that such an engineering review is conducted thoroughly and independently in order to protect residents and taxpayers?
The letter also said: “As homeowners and taxpayers, we are deeply concerned that public entities may ultimately inherit perpetual maintenance responsibilities for infrastructure that primarily serves a private commercial development located in Concord Township (where the township border remains in question). Long-term stormwater maintenance obligations can become extraordinarily expensive, particularly as infrastructure ages and requires repair or replacement.”
After Spoehr’s presentation, there followed a roundabout discussion including the history of what has transpired over the years as other developers wanted to put in a shopping center at the same location.
Sheriden Black supported Spoehr’s comments, while others spoke about traffic issues and the fact that they simply don’t want it because it would destroy the character of that part of Chadds Ford Township.
Township solicitor Mike Maddren said the township has not yet been asked to sign off on any stormwater-related HOP but then spoke about how the same issue arose when Pettinaro had the property, and that the township went to court over the matter.
He added that there’s not much more to do until the design of the shopping center is closer to being final.
The plan has been amended during the last few months but has not been formally introduced to Concord Township Council. What has been happening is that an appeal of Concord Township’s zoning officer determination has been continued from January to July. However, since then a proposed gas station has been removed, something the Save-Ridge group definitely wanted removed.
And traffic still is a major issue for Save-Ridge. That issue was addressed, at least in part, earlier this month when a traffic engineer retained by Chadds Ford Township made recommendations. That story may be found here.
Other business
Supervisors approved submitting a grant application for Archie’s Corner at the intersection of Ring and Bullock Roads. Supervisors’ Chairman Timotha Trigg said there are actually two issues, one for the woman and the other for the site.
“We are looking to submit a nomination for Rev. Lydia Archie to receive a Pennsylvania Historical marker,” she said, but while working on that application, they found that there is a small [matching grant] grant of up to $7,500,” she said.
She explained that this would allow the township to begin preparation for a nomination for the National Register of Historic Places for the site at Ring and Bullock. The match, she said, could be anywhere from $2,500 to $7,500.
The proposal to apply for the matching grant of up to $7,500 passed 3-0. Getting the historical marker for Mother Archie would not cost the township anything, Trigg added.
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.
