Wonderland decision still pending

Posted by Rich Schwartzman on May 3, 2018

For those wondering when Chadds Ford Township supervisors will decide on whether to approve the proposed Wonderland Farms development, the clock is ticking. Supervisors have until May 16 to make that decision unless the applicant grants an extension.

The proposed planned residential development has been discussed in the township since 2016 and supervisors granted tentative approval in January 2017. The developer, Harrier LLC, challenged some of the conditions made at the time and a settlement was reached in March of last year. Final approval has been pending, but Harrier did not get final plans to the township until this spring.

Plans call for 23 single family homes on the west side of Oakland Road near Brintons Bridge Road, the site of a former horse farm, and 12 twin homes on the east side of Oakland.

Members of the Chadds Ford Historical Society receive a check and a plaque from Chadds Ford supervisors in honor of the society's 50th anniversary. Members of the Chadds Ford Historical Society receive a check and a plaque from Chadds Ford supervisors in honor of the society's 50th anniversary. From left are Mark Trozzi, Mike Connolly, Supervisors Samantha Reiner and Frank Murphy, and Peter Alois.

During a May 2 Board of Supervisors meeting, basics of the plan were reexamined. Mike Dignazio, the applicant’s attorney, said some of the conditions can’t be complied with because neither PennDOT nor Birmingham Township would grant approval.

Birmingham wouldn’t grant approval for a painted pedestrian crosswalk across Brintons Bridge Road in the area of The Blue Pear restaurant, and PennDOT said no to flashing lights for a raised crosswalk on Oakland between the two parts of the PRD. While the flashing lights are a no-go, there will be stop signs and the crosswalk will still be raised.

Some issues still need to be worked out, specifically a stormwater management plan and improvements to Oakland Road. Supervisors’ Chairman Frank Murphy said Dignazio, and township solicitor Mike Maddren need to discuss the issues to make sure both sides are on the same page.

The board scheduled another meeting for 5:30 p.m. on May 15.

Other business

Supervisors gave a donation of $2,500 to the Chadds Ford Historical Society in honor of its 50^th anniversary.

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.