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Residents urge council to reject Mazino tract rezoning, citing loss of 15‑acre forest
Summary
Residents urged the Upper Darby Township Council to oppose rezoning of the 15‑acre Mazino tract, warning that mixed‑use plans would destroy mature trees, strain stormwater infrastructure and undermine flood/quality‑of‑life protections. Several speakers requested site protections and further public review.
A wave of residents on June 17 urged the Upper Darby Township Council to deny efforts to rezone a 15‑acre forested parcel known in public testimony as the Mazino (or Mosino) tract, arguing the change would add density, increase stormwater runoff and eliminate an irreplaceable urban green space.
"These proposals will eliminate a huge proportion of what little valuable green space we have left in Upper Darby," resident Terry McGrath told the council, urging members to “champion green space” and vote against rezoning. McGrath said the township’s limited open areas are essential to community health and resiliency.
Faith Zerby, who identified herself as a watershed scientist and a member of the Darby Creek Valley Association and the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, told the council the tract includes a tributary of Colins Brook that feeds into Darby Creek and provides stormwater and ecological benefits. "If we turn around and take the last 15 acres of a forested parcel at the gateway to Upper Darby and make it a development…we'll be giving up our power," Zerby said, urging the council to retain current zoning and use regional partners to preserve the site.
Other speakers repeatedly criticized elements of the developer's proposal presented to the planning commission: Dolores Lombardi questioned the need to rezone to provide a bike trail and said the developer’s plan showed a narrow trail dropping directly to the creek with little or no buffer; Bonnie Hallum noted the planning commission vote was split 3–2 and asked council to slow the process and explore alternatives.
Several commenters identified the developer as Rockwell Development and referenced a presenter named Mr. Lingo, who appeared at a planning commission meeting, and warned that promises of public trails or open amenities on private property can be rescinded if not legally required. "A developer can make promises at a meeting, but private property rights allow those promises to be revoked," Becky Dougen said during public comment.
Councilors acknowledged the volume of public concern. Councilor McIntyre said she would make the Mazino parcel a top item for the next planning and zoning committee discussion so the matter can receive fuller committee consideration.
What happens next: The council did not take a final vote on rezoning at the June 17 meeting. Multiple residents asked which council members had met with the developer and whether the township might use eminent domain if a purchase fell through; council members did not adopt new zoning at the meeting and directed staff and committees to follow up.
Why it matters: Commenters framed the issue as both local land‑use and environmental stewardship: they said keeping the tract intact supports the township’s MS4 stormwater obligations, preserves habitat and mature trees that mitigate urban heat, and protects community recreation and school field trip space. Residents asked the council to require legally enforceable public access only if open‑space amenities are to be preserved.
