Radnor board authorizes solicitor to draft eminent‑domain materials to protect Valley Forge open space

At the Jan. 12 Parks & Recreation meeting staff reported on recent changes at the Valley Forge campus and said the board has authorized the township solicitor to prepare legal and engineering materials for a potential eminent‑domain ordinance to preserve remaining open space.

Tammy (Parks & Recreation staff) said the Valley Forge Military Academy closed its military program in December and that portions of the campus were recently acquired by Eastern University while the college portion continues to operate with a reduced student body. Because portions of the remaining property may be at risk of development, the board on a prior Monday authorized the solicitor to begin drafting the legal documents and associated engineering work needed to present an ordinance.

Staff told the board the solicitor is expected to return with ordinance language for introduction at the board’s Jan. 24 meeting; if introduced, adoption would be scheduled for a subsequent meeting on Feb. 8. Tammy stressed that the meeting action at Jan. 12 was to report the status and next steps — the ordinance had not yet been introduced and no final acquisition was approved at this session.

Board members said the move reflects an interest in preserving open space amid nearby development pressure and noted that subsequent steps would include public hearings and additional review by commissioners. No financing or acquisition plan was presented at this meeting; the board directed the solicitor to prepare the materials for formal consideration.