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Board approves purchase of two Old Swedesford Road parcels despite Open Space Committee objections
Summary
The East Whiteland Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to buy two Old Swedesford Road parcels totaling about 3 acres from Eli Kahn for $406,000, after the Open Space Committee had voted 1–6 not to recommend the purchase and requested a by‑right appraisal.
Chair Scott Lambert and Member Peter Fixler voted unanimously Aug. 13 to approve an Agreement of Sale for two parcels on Old Swedesford Road totaling roughly 3 acres, with a cash consideration listed at $406,000.
Members of the township's Open Space Committee had reviewed the property during a site walk and recorded a 1–6 vote not to recommend purchase, saying the asking price was too high and that the appraisal relied on extraordinary assumptions that presumed variances. The committee asked the board to request a revised appraisal valuing the property on a by‑right basis (no assumed variances) and to return the matter to the committee for reconsideration.
Despite that recommendation, the board proceeded with the motion. Member Peter Fixler moved to approve the purchase; Chair Scott Lambert seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The board did not record any conditions or amendments to the Agreement of Sale during the public meeting.
The board did not identify a specific funding source in the motion on the record; the Open Space Committee noted it would prefer to focus limited Open Space resources elsewhere while the program remains in its early stages.
Next steps recorded in the meeting minutes: execution of the Agreement of Sale and any follow‑up appraisal or committee review if the board directs staff to request a by‑right valuation.
