We follow lots of websites and something we found on Round Radnor made us wonder: instead of Ardmore becoming the next Wayne, will Wayne become the next Ardmore?

Saturday, February 09, 2008
Wayne neighbors take notice -Development-

The agenda for Commissioners Meeting Monday Feb 11 includes an announcement of a workshop on March 1st to present a plan by Keating Construction for development of area of post office and library. I don't have the details yet but I understand this will include the addition of up to 100 units (condos?) as part of the project as well as parking, a new library and post office.

The Wayne Community needs to be involved in this.

Now this is kinda troubling, isn't it? After all, wouldn't something have to come down around there to build this? Isn't this near the historic Saturday Club? Isn't this locale close to a couple contentious development locations in Wayne?

Here is what Round Radnor is talking about:
Radnor Board of Commissioners Preliminary Agenday Monday February 11, 2008 7 p.m.

Announcement of public workshop on Saturday March 1st, 10 a.m. - 12 noon re: presentation by Keating Construction Co. on concept plans to redevelop Special Use Area in Wayne Business Overlay District.

That area is pretty dense already, isn't it? As they say "not our country, not our people", but since Radnor is apparently sending us a candidate to consider for Connie Williams' soon to be vacated 17th PA State Senatorial District seat, isn't this now under the category of political relevance?

Hey what do we know anyway? Many thanks to "Round Radnor".

(Oh by the way? Wayne residents may be interested in this upcoming meeting on Febraury 21st?)

Wayne, learn from our mistakes and community consternation: don't overdevelop...if you want to freshen up, that is understandable but don't underestimate the charming way you are right now as a town....what you've got can't be bottled, but if you change the formula, then what? Why is it now that the ecomony is getting very rocky, and real estate and new home building across the country is in a downward trend, does every developer think he is bullet proof around the Main Line? We don't live in Shangri-La do we?

Large hint to 17th State Senatorial Candidates? There was legislation once upon a time that would allow Temporary Development Moratorium

Amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), entitled,
2 as amended, "An act to empower cities of the second class A,
3 and third class, boroughs, incorporated towns, townships of
4 the first and second classes including those within a county
5 of the second class and counties of the second through eighth
6 classes, individually or jointly, to plan their development
7 and to govern the same by zoning, subdivision and land
8 development ordinances, planned residential development and
9 other ordinances, by official maps, by the reservation of
10 certain land for future public purpose and by the acquisition
11 of such land; to promote the conservation of energy through
12 the use of planning practices and to promote the effective
13 utilization of renewable energy sources; providing for the
14 establishment of planning commissions, planning departments,
15 planning committees and zoning hearing boards, authorizing
16 them to charge fees, make inspections and hold public
17 hearings; providing for mediation; providing for transferable
18 development rights; providing for appropriations, appeals to
19 courts and penalties for violations; and repealing acts and
20 parts of acts," adding provisions to authorize temporary
21 development moratorium.

Daylin Leach was involved with this, he told us about this a year ago - this HB904 is still in the House Appropriations Committee as of December 12th, 2007....And 17th State Senatorial Candidates what would you all do to amend and update the Municipalities Planning Code of PA ? The last time this weighty tome was updated the suburbs and exurbs had a heck of a lot less density and development, so wouldn't it be beneficial to rexamine it now before what is beautiful about Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania communities is lost forever to mile after mile of development we don't necessarily need everywhere it is currently being proposed and built? When you look at the big picture: fears of overdevelopment aren't merely a Lower Merion thing, or a Radnor thing, or a Tredyffrin thing, it's a statewide thing. As citizens, we need to look at the big picture. And we're not.

The big picture for ElectionGate 2008 should include not merely the pat and expected political hyperbole on candidates claiming they will listen to us and take our message to Harrisburg, lower taxes, find jobs for our communities, education, healthcare, etc, it also means that we will be watching the candidates when it comes to things like development. And lest we forget, eminent domain....stay tuned for a seperate post on HB 904....just because certain builder lobbying factions want this to die on the vine, doesn't mean we all do!