Development In Don Guanella Woods Shut Down By Marple Township

MARPLE TOWNSHIP, PA — A development plan in the Don Guanella forest in Marple Township has been nixed by the township's officials.

During a meeting Monday, the Marple Township Board of Commissioner voted unanimously to stop the project.

With a 7-0 vote, the commissioners ended Sproul Developers' plan to build housing on about 89 acres of the forest, which is roughly 178 acres.

The board's decision follows the Planning Commision's 4-2 vote to deny the plan proposed by the developers.

Oppoents of the development plan expect the board's decision to be challenged in court.

However, conservationists and the Whetstone Coalition plan to file to intervene in any appeal. The communications coordinator for Save Marple Greenspace, Ken Hemphill, said that Marple's residents should be very proud of their township commissioners.

“They did what so few township officials have the courage to do by unanimously rejecting a residential development threatening their constituents' environment and quality of life," he said. "We know this fight is not over, but Marple’s Commissioners just took a huge step to protect Marple's natural environment for all the people including generations yet to come."

"We made the case that this proposed development did not comply with the zoning ordinance nor with the Environmental Rights Amendment of the PA Constitution," said Michael D. Fiorentino, Attorney for Save Marple Greenspace, Crum Creek Neighbors, Darby Creek Valley Association throughout the Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners proceedings on the development plan. "The Marple Commissioners took seriously their trustee duties to protect the natural resources on this land — an impressive display of municipal courage and foresight."