TESD Moving Ahead With Eminent Domain Property Acquisition

BERWYN, PA — As the TTredyffrin/Easttown School District handled increased enrollment and growth, the Board of School Directors recently moved to use eminent domain to acquire the Doyle-McDonnell nursery property.

At its meeting on Nov. 14, the Tredyffrin/Easttown Board of School Directors approved a resolution authorizing commencement of an eminent domain action to acquire the Doyle-McDonnell nursery property, adjacent to Conestoga High School at 250 Cassatt Road in Berwyn.

The District and the owners will to determine the fair market price for the property for the final sale.

Toll Brothers were planning to develop a high-density residential property of up to 85 units on the 13-acre property.

Due to the adjacency of the parcel to Conestoga High School, the district has held long-term interest in purchasing the property for a fair price.

However, as long as the property has served as a functioning tree nursery, the district has been willing to wait to secure acquisition.

After learning of an agreement of sale, the district used eminent domain as a measure of last resort.

Student enrollment in the district has risen every single year since 1990, with a near 10 percent growth rate for the past five years alone, the district said.

The acquisition of this property will ultimately provide options to meet future district needs. T/E residents and families should note that any future development of the nursery property by the district is not related to the current plan to expand and renovate Conestoga High School and its parking capacity.

Progress on the current expansion and renovation plan must move forward to provide adequate space for the delivery of the high school program for students currently enrolled in district middle schools.