Opponents of Chester Valley Knoll Path Hire Lawyer

The opponents of a path that would connect a local neighborhood to the Chester Valley Trail have hired a lawyer in their effort to quash the project.

Kelly DiPrinzio, whose house on Deer Run Lane in Chester Valley Knoll is adjacent to the proposed path site, had that the path raised prohibitive traffic and safety concerns. At a public hearing in April, neighbors on both sides of the issue.

At the May 9 supervisors board meeting, Brendan Burke, of Mac Elree Harvey in West Chester, introduced himself as the DiPrinzios' attorney and suggested the path might violate municipal zoning codes regarding accessory use in a residential neighborhood. He also said the ground disturbance might warrant environmental attention.

"I trust and hope the township considers these factors, but I can assure you, the next step is going to be Chester County Conservation [District]. ... They're either going to know about it, they're going to want to be involved, or soon we’ll bring it to their attention."

The issue was merely raised for discussion at the supervisors meeting—no vote was taken. Supervisor Bill Holmes thanked Burke for raising "fair points," and said the board was now aware of all the important issues. Supervisor John Mott said he wouldn't want a similar path in his own neighborhood, but was surprised by the number of people speaking up against it.

Supervisor Virginia McMichael said, "One could make the argument that, under existing zoning for residential areas, that a path is something appropriate. We have them all over the place."

McMichael noted that townships are not legally required to obey their own ordinances but the board of supervisors' policy is to always do so.

Doe Lane resident Angel Connelly said many Chester Valley Knoll residents want access to the trail, which those with property adjacent to the trail already have. She asked what proponents of the path could do to make it a reality, and was told they should write letters and attend meetings.

The idea for a path connecting the Chester Valley Knoll neighborhood to the originated in recent years at a township meeting to address open burning. Since then, that resident has moved out of the neighborhood and the DiPrinzio family has moved in. The township is considering building a path next to a pump station, using $5,200 remaining from a $10,000 PECO grant that already funded a path at .

The proposed path is estimated to cost about $16,500 and require 480 man-hours from Public Works employees. According to township manager Terry Woodman, the non-grant portion of the cost would be paid through the Park Development Fund, which comes from developers, not taxpayers.

Robert Milton, whose property is next to the pump station, spoke up against the path, saying it would change the character of the neighborhood and provide a route for vandals.

James Palasch, who lives on Doe Lane, advocated for the path, saying he can't transport his grandchildren and six bikes to another access point. If the path is not built, he said, a fence should be constructed so those with homes on the trail lose their private access.

Esther Himler, whose property abuts the trail, endorsed the fence suggestion.

"This gentleman's idea, I think, is fabulous. I live right at the trail; I don't like it, Himler said. "I'm thinking of growing poison ivy."