Last evening, many residents showed up at the Board of Supervisors meeting to learn about the proposed zoning and density changes in East Vincent Township.
One reason East Vincent Township is looking at the present zoning and density change stems from the creation and implementation of the Open Space Design Option (OSDO) in 2002. This OSDO was suggested by the Brandywine Conservancy for the 2002 East Vincent Township Zoning Ordinance and was supported by Planning Commission member, John Funk and East Vincent Township Supervisor, Christine McNeil at the time the 2002 Zoning Ordinance was established. This OSDO does allow for density (in order to preserve open space) in the Agricultural Preservation (AP) and the Rural Conservation (RC) districts and therefore ended up directing development to these areas. The Reiff Tract ruling found that the Open Space Design Option (OSDO) does permit public water and sewer in the AP and RC districts. Public water and sewer can't be legally stopped in the Agricultural Preservation and Rural Conservation districts with an Open Space Design Option.
To address this problem, Mr. Ray Ott attempted to stop all major residential development in the AP and RC districts by utilizing a residential density multiplier. Mr. Ott created receiving areas north of the power lines so the sending areas located in the AP and RC districts would have a place to send the Transfer of Development Rights. The use of the TDR's provides an incentive for builders to move their development out of the AP and RC districts to areas which can receive higher density in the Light, Medium and High Density districts, just as was done previously with the Reiff Tract settlement. The Phoenixville Regional Plan and The Chester County Landscapes 2 Plan also calls for designating growth areas and redirecting growth to those areas deemed appropriate and were also mentioned as reasons for the TDR/OSDO Ordinance Amendment.
The imbalance, however, of shifting all residential development north of the power lines brought residents together. When residents questioned the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors about this proposed zoning change utilizing a residential density multiplier, Supervisor Dunphy requested a public workshop be held so residents could learn more about the proposed zoning and density change and have an open forum to discuss these proposed changes.
In the months leading up to this public workshop meeting, some of our appointed officials have come to realize they didn't spend enough time investigating these proposed zoning and density changes, and the impact of these changes on our township, and have now decided to revisit the zoning change and start from scratch.
We thank those volunteers on the Planning Commission who have stopped to take another look at the zoning change and who are willing to work with the residents to come up with a zoning ordinance that benefits all of the residents in East Vincent Township and our neighboring townships.
The Informed East Vincent Residents group appreciate all those who have contacted us and supported us in stopping the TDR/OSDO Ordinance Amendment. Thank you!
We will continue to keep you posted on the zoning changes and any proposals brought forth in our township.
Yours in a balanced East Vincent Township,
The Informed East Vincent Residents Group
www.informedeastvincentresidents@gmail.com
