This proposed plan reeks of greed. If the 50 acres were zoned the same as the houses across the street in Plumbly, 1 Acre+ per house. It would be acceptable. But 3-4 houses / acre would DESTROY the fabric of the existing place we tax paying citizens call home. Before the Rustin was built, there was another company that wanted to do the same thing as proposed. We sued them and fought them at every level of the political system in place. They failed. We are very proud of this area. We cannot allow it to be tainted with suburban blight.
J
jerry meyers
12 years ago
Featured
Selling off the land on the campus of Rustin High School to a developer is completely wrong. Open space today is very important to our community and what can be more important to have it attached to educational facility. Besides we no longer need GREED in the home building industry.
C
Cynthia Coffman
12 years ago
I live nearby Rustin and agree this is an out of scale neighborhood. All developments in Westtown should be a minimum of 1 acre per house.
E
Elizabeth Sullivan
12 years ago
KEEP THE OPEN SPACE! It will be too much traffic on that road, more accidents and not good for the school kids to have a development there!
A
Anonymous
12 years ago
Currently, the West Chester community is making an effort to save what is left of their open space with support of the borough council. This final meeting is Dec 4th. Here is how they are proceeding:
They are moving to take the property through eminent domain. Below is what is written on their website and facebook page explaining this and how they are raising money through open space grants and through donations for the 1.2 million dollar property.
This is taken from their Facebook page:
“All, thank you so much for your support so far. While Borough Council had their solicitor put together the paperwork for eminent domain, they will only move forward as long as the funding can be done without impacting the tax payer. Visit our newly done website at “
http://www.savethebarclaygrounds.org/donationpledgesguarantees/ to learn more
A link to their website fundraising
http://www.savethebarclaygrounds.org/donationpledgesguarantees/
This is part of the website to raise money to buy back the property:
The Fundraising Challenge
How much money is needed to save the Barclay Grounds?
It is currently anticipated that the total purchase price for the Barclay Grounds will be somewhere in the region of $1.2 million dollars. The final amount will depend on negotiations between the Borough of West Chester and the developers – and will be based on the fair market value appraisal for the property.
Where is the money expected to come from?
West Chester Borough Council have said that they do not wish to increase the tax burden on the residents in order to purchase the Barclay Grounds. So it is proposed to finance the purchase of the property through a combination of County and State open space and historical preservation grants – and donations by members of the public. Based on advice received from experts in these matters it appears that grants from the County and State approximating $1,050,000 could be applied for, requiring public donations to mak
A
Anonymous
12 years ago
Featured
As a long time residents of Westtown, we have seen increasing traffic density in the area. The number of houses proposed will negatively impact rush hour on Rt. 926, Rt. 352, Rt. 3 and Rt. 202 which are already congested roads with daily accidents. What happened to Westtown's lot size minimum of 1 acres per house?
D
David Read
12 years ago
I agree with Bob, the density is too high. Lot sizes should be minimum 1 acre. Traffic on Shiloh continues to grow while this is a narrow road thru a residential area.
C
chuck pulcini
12 years ago
When will people realize that this type of development will impact in a negative way the quality of life in this community. Traffic people, traffic!! Just look at what RT 926 has become with the heavy traffic caused by the school.
B
Bob Lion
12 years ago
The proposed density too high for this area. If it was scaled back to match the current area I would be for this project.
V
vrinda Hatti
12 years ago
It would be irresponsible to sell this land for development. This is WCRG (Westtown Citizens for Responsible Growth) allover again!
B
Barbara Menkins
12 years ago
I don't think the district can legally sell the property as they acquired this propertY UNDER THE THREAT OF EMINANT DOMAIN.
R
Ruth Kershaw
12 years ago
we are very opposed to this change of the character of our community and yes, it will greatly increase the traffic which has already increased due to the high school....this area has had enough changes in the past few years and I don't think these changes will help the area....please leave the property as is and do not build more houses....
A
Anonymous
12 years ago
My husband and I oppose the subdivision. It will change the character of our community and greatly increase the traffic in this area.
This is SO, SO Wrong!!
I doubt it's even legal. I believe it's incumbent on our Westtown Leadership to put a stop to this degradation of our township
N
Nataki Hudson
12 years ago
I oppose a subdivision.
A
Anonymous
12 years ago
This open space land is part of what makes this area so desirable. It's a beautiful spot to walk or run which many people use on a daily basis. It also provides habitat for many species including a stopover spot for bald eagles as they migrate. I have seen them consistently perched on the large tree on this land each Spring (I take pictures of them every time I see them). It's a beautiful open space which helps to add to the daily life style of the people who live close by, the students at the school, as well as keeping the value of our homes higher. I feel there must be a better use of the land that helps to preserve the open space yet still provides possible income for the school. The amount of traffic incurred by the high density subdivision is also an issue. There already is a lot of traffic during school hours and I am afraid that adding more traffic is not safe. Possible traffic lights would need to be installed which would further decrease nearby homes' values. The building of 50 homes during the school year would be a huge distraction and who knows what problems could arise. The land is precious and the peacefulness it exudes is seen by many as an educational commodity. Studies have shown that looking into the distance relaxes the eyes and is good for well-being. The benefit this provides to students and teaches is invaluble. Once this land is gone and built on, the feel of the Rustin property will be much different and the school won't be as desirable. What I am suggesting is that a more holistic approach on this topic should be considered as well, not just the financial status. There are other ways for the school to make money/ save money then by selling off property that could lead to some long-term detrimental results. I'd much rather see an educational center/park in its place that would encourage additional educational experiences for the students as well as preserving some of the natural resources that encourage a better standard of li
R
Regina Carey
12 years ago
Please do the right thing and preserve this area of open space.
K
Kim Piersall
12 years ago
Leave the open space... We do not need another development!
B
Bryan McDermott
12 years ago
This seems to be a very short term decision. Down the road that land will be very important of the district in some capacity.
This proposed plan reeks of greed. If the 50 acres were zoned the same as the houses across the street in Plumbly, 1 Acre+ per house. It would be acceptable. But 3-4 houses / acre would DESTROY the fabric of the existing place we tax paying citizens call home. Before the Rustin was built, there was another company that wanted to do the same thing as proposed. We sued them and fought them at every level of the political system in place. They failed. We are very proud of this area. We cannot allow it to be tainted with suburban blight.
Selling off the land on the campus of Rustin High School to a developer is completely wrong. Open space today is very important to our community and what can be more important to have it attached to educational facility. Besides we no longer need GREED in the home building industry.
I live nearby Rustin and agree this is an out of scale neighborhood. All developments in Westtown should be a minimum of 1 acre per house.
KEEP THE OPEN SPACE! It will be too much traffic on that road, more accidents and not good for the school kids to have a development there!
Currently, the West Chester community is making an effort to save what is left of their open space with support of the borough council. This final meeting is Dec 4th. Here is how they are proceeding: They are moving to take the property through eminent domain. Below is what is written on their website and facebook page explaining this and how they are raising money through open space grants and through donations for the 1.2 million dollar property. This is taken from their Facebook page: “All, thank you so much for your support so far. While Borough Council had their solicitor put together the paperwork for eminent domain, they will only move forward as long as the funding can be done without impacting the tax payer. Visit our newly done website at “ http://www.savethebarclaygrounds.org/donationpledgesguarantees/ to learn more A link to their website fundraising http://www.savethebarclaygrounds.org/donationpledgesguarantees/ This is part of the website to raise money to buy back the property: The Fundraising Challenge How much money is needed to save the Barclay Grounds? It is currently anticipated that the total purchase price for the Barclay Grounds will be somewhere in the region of $1.2 million dollars. The final amount will depend on negotiations between the Borough of West Chester and the developers – and will be based on the fair market value appraisal for the property. Where is the money expected to come from? West Chester Borough Council have said that they do not wish to increase the tax burden on the residents in order to purchase the Barclay Grounds. So it is proposed to finance the purchase of the property through a combination of County and State open space and historical preservation grants – and donations by members of the public. Based on advice received from experts in these matters it appears that grants from the County and State approximating $1,050,000 could be applied for, requiring public donations to mak
As a long time residents of Westtown, we have seen increasing traffic density in the area. The number of houses proposed will negatively impact rush hour on Rt. 926, Rt. 352, Rt. 3 and Rt. 202 which are already congested roads with daily accidents. What happened to Westtown's lot size minimum of 1 acres per house?
I agree with Bob, the density is too high. Lot sizes should be minimum 1 acre. Traffic on Shiloh continues to grow while this is a narrow road thru a residential area.
When will people realize that this type of development will impact in a negative way the quality of life in this community. Traffic people, traffic!! Just look at what RT 926 has become with the heavy traffic caused by the school.
The proposed density too high for this area. If it was scaled back to match the current area I would be for this project.
It would be irresponsible to sell this land for development. This is WCRG (Westtown Citizens for Responsible Growth) allover again!
I don't think the district can legally sell the property as they acquired this propertY UNDER THE THREAT OF EMINANT DOMAIN.
we are very opposed to this change of the character of our community and yes, it will greatly increase the traffic which has already increased due to the high school....this area has had enough changes in the past few years and I don't think these changes will help the area....please leave the property as is and do not build more houses....
My husband and I oppose the subdivision. It will change the character of our community and greatly increase the traffic in this area.
Please keep the fields for the kids!
This is SO, SO Wrong!! I doubt it's even legal. I believe it's incumbent on our Westtown Leadership to put a stop to this degradation of our township
I oppose a subdivision.
This open space land is part of what makes this area so desirable. It's a beautiful spot to walk or run which many people use on a daily basis. It also provides habitat for many species including a stopover spot for bald eagles as they migrate. I have seen them consistently perched on the large tree on this land each Spring (I take pictures of them every time I see them). It's a beautiful open space which helps to add to the daily life style of the people who live close by, the students at the school, as well as keeping the value of our homes higher. I feel there must be a better use of the land that helps to preserve the open space yet still provides possible income for the school. The amount of traffic incurred by the high density subdivision is also an issue. There already is a lot of traffic during school hours and I am afraid that adding more traffic is not safe. Possible traffic lights would need to be installed which would further decrease nearby homes' values. The building of 50 homes during the school year would be a huge distraction and who knows what problems could arise. The land is precious and the peacefulness it exudes is seen by many as an educational commodity. Studies have shown that looking into the distance relaxes the eyes and is good for well-being. The benefit this provides to students and teaches is invaluble. Once this land is gone and built on, the feel of the Rustin property will be much different and the school won't be as desirable. What I am suggesting is that a more holistic approach on this topic should be considered as well, not just the financial status. There are other ways for the school to make money/ save money then by selling off property that could lead to some long-term detrimental results. I'd much rather see an educational center/park in its place that would encourage additional educational experiences for the students as well as preserving some of the natural resources that encourage a better standard of li
Please do the right thing and preserve this area of open space.
Leave the open space... We do not need another development!
This seems to be a very short term decision. Down the road that land will be very important of the district in some capacity.