Politics & Government

East Whiteland Lays Out Plan for County Trail Connection

The project, which has not been voted on yet, has divided the Chester Valley Knoll neighborhood.

East Whiteland Township on Thursday released a preliminary plan (PDF) for a connector path between the Chester Valley Knoll neighborhood and Chester Valley Trail.

Township supervisors have not yet voted on whether to approve its construction.

Chester Valley Knoll residents are split over whether the trail should be built, and the preliminary plan was released due to popular request, according to the East Whiteland Township website:

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In response to requests from several residents, the Board of Supervisors has released a preliminary plan showing how a trail connecting Deer Run Lane with the Chester Valley Trail would be constructed through Township owned property. A copy of that plan is attached.

The path would allow residents of Deer Run Lane and nearby roads to access the county trail without venturing onto heavily trafficked Route 401 or West Swedesford Road. It would be built on township-owned land at a pump station.

Connector Path Divides Neighborhood

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Despite being requested by Chester Valley Knoll residents years ago, the path has created a schism in the neighborhood, which also includes Doe Lane, Buck Run Lane and Fawn Circle, since the project began to take shape last spring.

At township meetings, many residents—particularly those whose houses are located near the site—expressed concerns it could pose safety risks and lessen privacy in the neighborhood. Many others said they support the project, and some supporters claimed that opponents already have private trail access through their backyards.

In their efforts to stop the project, the DiPrinzio family last year hired a lawyer who raised environmental and legal concerns. The township decided to conduct a study to examine those concerns and the general feasibility of the proposed path.

Supervisor Virginia McMichael said the study and resultant preliminary plan are important steps in the process of considering whether to add the path, but the township is still receiving input about the plan, including that of the township solicitor.

See also:

  • Deer Run-CVT Path: No Decision Until Leaves Fall
  • EW Supervisors: No CVT Path Approval Before September
  • Opponents of Chester Valley Knoll Path Hire Lawyer
  • Chester Valley Knoll Residents Debate CVT Access Point
  • Deer Run Lane Residents Oppose CV Trail Path

Edited 5/10/13 5:18 p.m. to reflect that the plan released Thursday is a result of the feasibility study conducted by the township, and does not necessarily indicate the path is any more or less likely to be approved. Comments from Virginia McMichael were also added to that effect.


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