IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE 4 STOLTZ DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
Councilman Weiner interviewed on WHYY regarding the Concord Pike development plan
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE 4 STOLTZ DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
NEXT MEETING: December 2, 2008
Public Hearing for Greenville Center
POSTPONED!
IMPORTANT UPDATE ON THE 12/2 PUBLIC HEARING FOR GREENVILLE CENTER!
The attached press release was released earlier this evening by the Citizens for Responsible Growth in New Castle County and their many partnering agencies. Stoltz has agreed to postpone the December 2 Public Hearing and will continue the dialogue started on the alternative proposals they have presented for all four projects. Congratulations to Patty Hobbs, Dick Beck, Mark Chura and many others for their work at the recent Stoltz Open House and getting movement on a constructive dialogue on projects that will have a profound impact on our area.
The Stoltz organization delivered a proposed package deal to the Kennett Pike Association [KPA] on the evening of October 20, 2008, the night of KPA’s Annual Meeting. The proposal encompasses Stoltz’ four proposals in northern New Castle County. The Stoltz proposal is a “take-it-or-leave-it” proposal with a stipulated deadline for acceptance of November 7, 2008. Stoltz was not present at the meeting. The proposal describes a meeting which took place with County Executive Chris Coons and un-named “civic leaders”. No one at KPA was invited to the meeting with Stoltz and the County Executive. I suggested to KPA that the proposal be rejected. The proposal is directed to KPA but also encompasses the Stoltz proposal in Brandywine Hundred. I invite you to review the proposal and provide your input directly to KPA, CCOBH and to me.
This is an urgent request from your community leaders and from Councilman Bob Weiner. Come show your support for a REGIONAL TRAFFIC STUDY. The proposed study is entitled the “Northern Delaware Land Use and Development Capacity Assessment”. This study is in the form of a proposed amendment for FY 2009-2012 TIP. Please take a moment to carefully read the information below which will explain the details.
PUBLIC SUPPORT NEEDED THIS THURSDAY NOV 13, 2008 Public support is needed to encourage the adoption of a regional traffic study for the entire Brandywine Hundred, Greenville, Centreville area to measure the total impact of the 4 Stoltz organization proposed developments, which collectively total 4 million square feet [roughly 4 times larger than the original Christiana Mall] .
By letter dated September 10, 2008, I had proposed that WILMAPCO support an amendment to the State Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for Fiscal Years 2009-2012. The TIP was included in the Delaware Bond Bill this June. The TIP is a four-year funding program outlining more than $1.5 billion in transportation projects in the WILMAPCO region. Transportation projects in the TIP are drawn from the agency’s Regional Transportation Plan. Projects are selected using a prioritization process and public and agency input. Proposed new projects include funding for the Brandywine Valley and Route 9 Scenic Byways, Centreville Transportation Plan Implementation, and the C&D Canal Trail. Other amendments involve shifting the timing of funds forward or backward. Nominations for new projects in the form of an amendment to the TIP were accepted during a public comment period which began August 1 and extended through September 11. We were successful in getting our proposal for a regional traffic study on the WILMAPCO agenda before the deadline.
This Thursday November 13 at 6:30 PM, the WILMAPCO Council will consider public comments in support of the proposed amendment to recommend a regional traffic study.Your presence in support of our community speakers will show that there is broad based support for this amendment. See www.bobweiner.com and www.wilmapco.org/tip. for details. For directions to WILMAPCO 850 Library Avenue, Suite 100, Newark, DE 19711, go to www.wilmapco.org or call WILMAPCO: (302) 737-6205
The Stoltz organization has proposed that the southwest corner of Beaver Valley Road and Concord Pike be rezoned from high density residential to commercial in order to build a commercial shopping center, on land owned by the Woodlawn Trustees. The Stoltz proposal, if approved, would eliminate direct left turning movements at 2 of the 4 movements through the intersection to accommodate the extra traffic and replace it with a bizarre plan to route left turning movements through the proposed shopping center via Jersey-style jug handles. Councilman Bob Weiner spoke in opposition to this proposal at the first public hearing on October 2, 2007. To read Bob's testimony, click here.
The proposal still needs State Department of Transportation approval, a recommendation from the County Land Use Department and the County Planning Board, and a finally, a vote of approval by New Castle County Council; expected sometime in mid to late 2008. You can help by staying informed, reading the information here and sharing it with others. Continue to visit this website for updated information.
To view the Stoltz organization’s website which touts it’s proposed rezoning of the Woodlawn Trustees parcel along Concord Pike & Beaver Valley Road from high density residential to commercial go to: http://www.shopsatbrandywinevalley.com/
Status as of 11/3/2008:
Plan found UNACCEPTABLE [for now]
The New Castle County Land Use Department, in a letter dated November 3, 2008, for the third time has rejected the Stoltz organization’s proposal for the Barley Mill Plaza site. The County’s Land Use Department professional planners noted that Stoltz organization has yet again failed to demonstrate compliance with Section 40.03.318 of the New Castle County Code for mixed use development. The rejection letter also notes that “the proposed high intensity recreation use (movie theatre) is not listed as one of the permitted uses in the mixed use category. The letter states, “however, the applicant may maintain the (movie theatre) use on the plan, pending proposed Ordinance 08-096, which would allow a high density recreation use in the OR [office regional] district with a Special Use approval. The proposed ordinance would need to be adopted by New Castle County Council and the applicant would need to obtain a Special Use approved by the Board of Adjustment prior to plan recordation”. Stoltz apparently no longer intends to utilize the density bonus outlined in the redevelopment ordinance. The plan still fails to delineate streams and stream banks. A non-delineated flood study is being required by the County Land Use Department. The plan appears to disturb wetlands and Stoltz may need to seek County Board of Adjustment approval.
Stoltz Conceptual site plan proposes 29 buildings bordering Westover Hills and Westhaven, of which about half are proposed to be 6 to 11 stories in height. The total square footage is approximately 3 million square feet, which is the approximate same size in square footage as the King of Prussia Mall. The King of Prussia Mall is adjacent to a major interstate highway; while the proposed Stoltz Barley Mill Plaza plan is approximately 5 miles from the closest interstate highway. The sheer mass of the proposed mall is indicative of Stoltz’ intent to draw regional traffic. To view the Stoltz Conceptual site plan go to: www.stoltzusa.com/documents/Barleyplazalp.pdf
3. #20 Montchanin Road
(the old Columbia Gas site)
This proposal is to add to the site a 36,501 square foot medical building with associated parking. The proposed site would disturb mature specimen trees and would be sited overlooking Route 141 across from Hagley Museum. The plan requires New Castle County Council to approve a deed restriction change. Currently the deed restrictions prohibit any more construction on the site.
Stoltz aerial of old Columbia Gas site, 100 Montchanin Road depicting shift of proposed 36, 501 square foot 2 story building with basement from northerly edge of parcel adjacent to Barley Mill Road (Route 141) to westerly edge of parcel adjacent to Montchanin Road, across from St. Joseph’s on the Brandywine.
10/3/08 -
I believe that this letter, transmitted earlier by Richard Beck, KPA Acting President to Acting Land Use Department G.M. George Haggerty and County Attorney Gregg Wilson, with supporting Affidavits, explains why the deed restriction amendment application should not proceed for further consideration by New Castle County unless and until it has the consent and approval of The Hagley Foundation and The Kennett Pike Association. Accordingly, as sponsor, I request that the application be removed from the Planning Board/Land Use Department October 7 agenda. - View Letter & Affidavits
Twelve story high rise addition to the Greenville Center: The New Castle County Land Use Department found the proposal to be “unacceptable”, adding that “this project cannot proceed as a Redevelopment Plan”.
"Bob's commitment to the communities he represents is clearly evident and we are fortunate to enjoy his services."
Dave Warner President, Liftwood Estates Civic Association
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