RADNOR TOWNSHIP, PA — Radnor Township will no longer try to move a local courthouse to a former veterinary clinic on West Wayne Avenue, according to the Board of Commissioners.
The Township had been pursuing plans to purchase a commercial building at 405 W Wayne Ave. for $1.45 million to become the new site of the magisterial court that serves Radnor residents. Delaware County would lease it from the Township for that purpose.
The commercial building last housed St. George Hunt Memorial Veterinary Hospital, which moved to Conestoga Road in Villanova earlier this year.
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At recent Commissioners meetings, several residents expressed concerns that the proposed courthouse would bring traffic and disrupt the character of the mostly residential neighborhood.
On Wednesday, the Commissioners announced they're no longer pursuing that location. But they're still looking to move the court, which is districted for Radnor Township but located in Newtown Square.
"This decision follows a thorough review of the site and vital feedback from neighbors regarding potential traffic, local infrastructure impact, neighborhood compatibility, and structural and financial considerations regarding the building," the Board said in a joint statement.
The Commissioners plan to hold a Town Hall about why they believe the court needs a new home within township borders. A date and location for the meeting will be finalized shortly and then publicly announced, officials said.
Magisterial district courts are essentially the local courts of Pennsylvania. They handle lower-level matters in the legal system, including small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, summary offenses and preliminary hearings in criminal cases.
Criminal matters advance to the Court of Common Pleas thereafter.
Some residents have expressed safety concerns about putting the court near homes and children's playing fields. But local officials believe people may not understand the magisterial court's role. Bringing the court back to Radnor Township also makes it more accessible for residents, families and police, according to the Board of Commissioners.
"The Board believes that a clear understanding of the court's function will help to identify an ideal location," the Commissioners said.
Delaware County Magisterial District Court 32-2-43 is districted to serve Radnor Township — and only Radnor Township. But it's currently located outside of town — at 4655 West Chester Pike in Newtown Square.
In July, Patch broke the news that Radnor Township officials were considering plans to move the courthouse to 405 W Wayne Ave.
The Commissioners would need to approve an ordinance to purchase the building for $1.45 million from Vetley Capital, a Maryland real estate investment firm that specializes in veterinary facilities. Vetley purchased the building for $1,395,000 in 2022, according to public records.
On July 20, the Radnor Township Board of Commissioners voted to introduce an ordinance to approve that purchase. A vote for adoption would have been required for the purchase to go through.
Click here for the Commissioners' full announcement about the courthouse.
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