March 04, 2015

Delco development vote postponed until next week

The Concord Township Board of Supervisors will review preliminary plans for Vineyard Commons, a housing development proposed for a piece of open space

By John Kopp
PhillyVoice Staff

Thom Carroll/for PhillyVoice

With the exception of a small vineyard on the adjacent hillside, all of the land visible in this photograph - as well as hundreds of acres behind the camera, would be completely developed for the Vineyard Commons project.

A potential vote on a proposal to develop 230 acres of open space in Delaware County was delayed Tuesday due to inclement weather.

The Concord Township Board of Supervisors postponed their meeting until March 10. The board was expected to review the preliminary plans for Vineyard Commons, a housing development proposed for a chunk of land bordering First State National Historic Park.

Eastern States Development, of Wilmington, Del., and McKee-Concord Homes LP, of Springfield, seek to construct 163 houses on a 230-acre parcel being sold by Woodlawn Trustees, a nonprofit real estate company dedicated to preserving open space, orderly development and affordable housing.

Several community groups have fought the project for nearly three years, wanting to see the land — which is open to the public — preserved for generations to come.

The property is part of Beaver Valley, a scenic area straddling the Delaware and Pennsylvania borders. Thousands of acres in the valley were owned by Woodlawn, including 1,100 preserved by the national park. For decades, Woodlawn has permitted the public to recreate on the open space.

The region has served a hotspot for hikers, bikers and horseback riders, who enjoy the valley's pastures, forests, streams and historical structures.