Villanova wins board approval for new Dockerty Drive entrance, Gothic lights and shuttle stop

Villanova University received approval from the Radnor Township Design Review Board for changes to the Dockerty Drive entrance at 800 East Lancaster Avenue, including a new entrance from Lancaster Avenue, matching stone entry piers, dark‑sky‑compliant Gothic lighting and a bus shelter to serve a campus shuttle.

Cara McManuel, senior project manager for Villanova, said the new Dockerty Drive will replace the existing drive and that two stone piers matching the campus sign will be installed at the entrance. She told the board the proposed Gothic‑style fixtures are dark‑sky‑compliant and showed photometrics intended to limit spill light to adjacent properties.

McManuel described plans to relocate two existing 8‑foot bus shelters side‑by‑side (about 16 feet total) to a location near Bassie Hall to serve a frequent shuttle between campus and Cabrini. She said the new entrance is intended for deliveries and shuttle operations only; the shuttle will stop, turn around and exit with right turns only.

Board members asked about sidewalk closures and traffic control; McManuel said a PennDOT permit required temporary sidewalk closure during construction. On access control, she said a traffic arm and gate with a card reader and a wand for delivery trucks will be installed, and the gate will be set back so drivers can turn and exit if they enter mistakenly.

The board moved and approved the application for signage, site lighting, entry piers and the bus shelter. The motion carried by voice vote; individual roll‑call tallies were not transcribed. The applicant said the new entrance and shelters are intended to be in service for the coming fall term.