East Vincent Township Planner, Mr. Ray Ott, continued the discussion on the use of Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) to preserve lands in the Agricultural Preservation (AP) and Rural Conservation (RC) districts, with the residents.
Residents directly affected by an increase in housing density in their neighborhood spoke out against the use of TDR's which are used as a tool to allow preservation of land south of the power lines while transferring all major residential density to the northern side of the power lines. Residents questioned why this is being considered. Mr. Ott continued to comment how the Open Space Design Option of the 2002 Ordinance encourages developers to build on the AP and RC lands. Mr. Ott continued to stress that this is not where East Vincent Township wants to see development. Residents who will be impacted by the residential density increase; above and beyond what the initial zoning permitted when they bought their home, feel those who are pursuing this zoning revision (TDR/OSDO Ordinance Amendment) are violating their rights as East Vincent Township taxpaying residents.
One resident asked Mr. Ott where the data is to support the statement that most recent residential development is occurring in the AP and RC districts. This resident stated that as he sees it most development is occurring, or is scheduled to occur, north of the power lines already. Mr. Ott did not have factual data to support his statement.
Another resident, under the impression that the AP and RC districts would be saved from all future development---had the TDR/OSDO Ordinance Amendment been approved, directly asked the members of the Planning Commission present (Michele Adams, Jason Herron, Jeremy Wellen, and Elaine Milito) if Mr. Bucco's land, also known as the Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) land, would come with a guarantee that this land would be saved from all future development. All replied with an adamant "no." There can be no guarantee this land would not be developed even if the TDR/OSDO Ordinance Amendment had been approved, although this land is in the Rural Conservation (RC) district.
Another resident stated that she understands north of the power lines is where growth is to be expected, but to put all of the major residential growth on the northern side isn't right. Traffic is one issue of concern also.
In response to resident input, the Planning Commission, with enthusiastic support from Chair Michele Adams, agreed to a subcommittee of residents to work alongside the Planning Commission to help with the zoning revision. The time and date of this collaborative effort is to be announced.
Anyone interested in being a part of the zoning revision subcommittee may contact us and we will provide you with further information once it is available.
Thank you and please feel free to contact us with any questions, comments or concerns,
The Informed East Vincent Residents Group
informedeastvincentresidents@gmail.com
