Land Sharks Arrive Just in Time for summer in Marple Township

Land Sharks Arrive Just in Time for summer in Marple Township

Time to put away the sunscreen and tune into the Marple Township Commissioners. While you were sunbathing the largest land development in Delaware County is taking place.

Over two hundred acres of green space in Marple Township has an agreement of sale by the Archdiocese to Goodman Properties. One would think the first question concerning this opportunity is why land grants such as PECO’s Green Region Open Space Program or DCNR programs are not being considered.

Of course this is Marple Township and this is by all appearances a done deal. The township immediately began rewriting the comprehensive plan to include urban town center developments. This is available on the township website, Planned Community Center District. Surprise, Goodman Properties submitted a plan for Cardinal Crossing a town center development. Yes everything that exists a mile down the road only much larger than Marple Crossroads Shopping Center, with hotels, movie theater, grocery stores, much larger than King of Prussia which is 65 acres and growing. All this right here in suburban Marple Township.

What comes first planning, zoning, or approval of the comprehensive plan? Thursday, July 9, 2015 the Marple Planning Commission recommended approval the subdivision of the property. There was a lot of confusion at the planning committee meeting concerning who owns this property. According to the Archdiocese the property has an agreement of sale to Goodman Properties. As noted during public discussion, the tax benefits to Marple Township appeared to be more important than costs to the community. Is there enough infrastructure to create a town within the town, water and utilities were mentioned by several people in attendance.

Good beach reading for all Delaware County neighborhoods involved might be the 1300 page traffic study. You can always read the short executive summary. Think about 3000 additional cars on Saturday Midday peak hour! Requirements must include involvement in all impacted communities because of the scope of density and traffic. These open meetings must include Marple, Springfield Townships. Havertown will be impacted from two new developments, the Marple Associates Development, West Chester Pike and Lawrence Road, this impacts Exit 9 and the Blue Route. Suburban roads from Havertown to Springfield and around Reed Road will be well scary. Upper Darby residents especially Pilgrim Gardens will also go from suburban roads to a community nightmare.

This is a community issue and it is obvious we must count on Delaware County Planning halt this change in development and not allow a town center in our suburban community, as well as PennDot to protect the safety and integrity of our suburban neighborhoods. The next Delaware County Planning Commission public meeting begins at 4:00p.m in the Government Center Building, (Room 100), Court House Complex, Media, PA. Thursday July 16, 2015 at 4:00. Please plan to attend. The next Marple Commissioners meeting is Monday, July 13, 2015 at 7:00.

Save Marple Greenspace is a rapidly growing group of concerned neighbors, residents and environmental groups and associations of Marple, Springfield, Newtown Square, Havertown and Drexel Hill. We believe this development is a community issue. Please visit us at https://www.facebook.com/SaveMarpleGreenspace/ and sign the petition, https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savemarplegreenspace Only your involvement can keep the sharks away.

Patricia Naughton writes for Save Marple Greenspace and is a resident of Drexel Hill.