Deer Run Lane Residents Oppose CV Trail Path

A proposed path connecting an East Whiteland neighborhood to the Chester Valley Trail has stirred opposition among some nearby homeowners. The path, partially funded by a PECO grant, would link Deer Run Lane to the county trail via the Malin pumping station.

The controversial path, which would be located in the Chester Valley Knoll neighborhood, will be one of the main topics of an upcoming on April 4.

At the March 14 Board of Supervisors meeting, Kelly DiPrinzio, whose house is next to the site, said the path would put her three children in peril.

"The path will allow strangers unnecessary access to them, regardless of where the 8- to 10-foot-wide path rests. Even if you were to install a privacy fence, it will not provide the necessary protection and barrier for my family," DiPrinzio said, reading a prepared statement. "We will be unable to spend any time alone outside without the constant presence, sight and noise of strangers. And when we are inside, we will still be forced to hear the noise from the path."

Supervisor John Mott indicated that the matter was far from settled.

"I never envisioned a 10-foot-wide paved path from Deer Run. So, long way to go on this one," Mott said.

Residents who spoke at the meeting also expressed concerns that the access point would be publicized, leading to increased traffic and parking in the neighborhood. One man, who did not give his name, suggested asking other people in the neighborhood if they would want the path on their own properties.

"I would venture a guess you wouldn't get an answer 'Yes' from anyone," he said. "That being the case, it seems to me this is a case of the government and the community—those that are for this—ganging up on one person. It just doesn't feel right."

"We're not here to bully any of the neighbors into anything. We're taking a measured approach on this," supervisor Bill Holmes said. "We understand that the DiPrinzios and [neighbor] Mr. Milton will be impacted more than anybody else in the neighborhood."

Township manager Terry Woodman explained that the connector path was originally requested by residents of the same neighborhood at a meeting two years ago.

"They asked the township to consider making the connection to the trail, so that they could walk out their door, walk down the path and get on the Chester Valley Trail. That was probably two years ago. I don't believe the DiPrinzios owned the house at the time."

According to the Feb. 8 supervisors' meeting minutes, proponents assert that the Malin pumping station is the only viable public access option to get onto the trail for approximately 100 houses.

An upcoming will be held to address the issue. The March 14  supervisors' meeting agenda supplied the details:

On Wednesday, April 4th at 7 p.m. the Board of Supervisors will hold a Town Hall meeting in the Township Building. The topic of discussions will be the recently completed East Whiteland Township Historic Resource Atlas and a path connecting the Chesterfield Knoll community with the Chester Valley Trail. The connection is proposed to go through property owned by the Township on Deer Run Lane.

[Edited 3/29/12 10am to reflect the path would be partially funded by a PECO grant.; 4/5/12 10am to correct Chester Valley Knoll neighborhood name, previously written as Chesterfield Knoll.]