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Board authorizes $34,820 redesign for Schaefer Preserve parking; residents protest conservation and costs
Summary
After months of planning and a late objection from the conservation easement holder, the board authorized Chester Valley Engineers to revise parking and driveway plans for Schaefer Preserve at a cost not to exceed $34,820. Dozens of residents urged the board to pause the design work, citing the conservation easement, potential archaeological and stormwater work, and rising project costs.
Township staff told the Board of Supervisors that North American Land Trust (NALT) — the conservator overseeing the Schaefer Preserve conservation easement — declined to amend the easement to permit the previously proposed front-of-property parking area and instead indicated any parking and driveway work must be confined to specific "unrestricted" areas in the parcel. To accommodate NALT's position, staff brought a Chester Valley Engineers proposal to redesign the parking and driveway layout at a cost not to exceed $34,820.
The item prompted extensive public comment. Several residents asked why the township is continuing design work after spending six figures on prior planning and questioned whether the proposed changes would comply with the conservation easement. Speakers cited a signed petition with more than 700 signatures opposing the level of development proposed for the preserve, asked whether archeological reports or MPDES (stormwater) submissions would be required (an archaeological study fee appeared as an optional line item in the engineers' proposal), and emphasized a preference that the land be left largely undisturbed for wildlife.
One resident said the preserve should remain a passive natural area and opposed paving and lighting; another speaker asked for NALT representatives to attend a meeting before the board committed another design contract. Board members described competing priorities: some expressed desire to allow public access so the whole community — not only nearby neighbors — can enjoy the tract, while others raised costs and easement constraints as reasons to pause.
After discussion and public comment, the board voted to authorize Chester Valley Engineers to prepare design revisions for the parking-area relocation, not to exceed $34,820. The motion passed with oppositions recorded on the public record.
What was authorized and what remains to be resolved: the motion authorizes a redesign of the parking and driveway only; additional costs (for example, a possible archaeological study or changes required by the conservation easement review, or MPDES permit revisions) were not approved at this meeting and would need separate authorization. Several residents asked the board to secure explicit confirmation from NALT and other permitting agencies before spending further funds.
Next steps: designers will prepare the revised parking/driveway plans and the township will submit permit sets as required; staff indicated NALT will review permit-level plans and that subsequent costs or legal review may be necessary depending on permit reviewers' comments.
