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Toll Brothers plans include easements, Surrey Lane tie-in and phased road work, board hears
Summary
At its July meeting the Lower Makefield Farmland Preservation board heard that Toll Brothers has incorporated the group’s requested easement and cutout details into Bridal Estates plans; the developer will begin initial road work and the board asked for a written summary of the farm’s integrated pest-management practices to reassure a potential homebuyer.
At the July meeting of the Lower Makefield Farmland Preservation board, Secretary George Hines reported that Toll Brothers has included the preservation group’s requested items in its Bridal Estates plans and is preparing to connect Surrey Lane as phase one of construction. Hines said the developer will install an initial concrete pad to accommodate heavy equipment and return later to lay asphalt for the finished road.
"All the items that we had asked for of DeLuca are in Toll Brothers plans. They're all there. They are following them," Hines said, describing recent site meetings with the developer’s project manager and field supervisor. He added that easement flagging on the ground matched the board’s earlier diagrams and that he would walk the easement with site staff to confirm locations.
The board discussed utility tie-ins and a small number of trees in buffer areas that may need removal to place piping; Hines said the developer acknowledged the need to replace any removed trees and to restore grading and grassing afterward. Members emphasized that where tree removal is necessary the developer should restore the buffer appropriately.
A potential homebuyer raised concerns about pesticide or fertilizer drift. Hines relayed comments from farm operator Paul Fleming describing a comprehensive integrated pest-management approach, noting targeted applications and timing intended to minimize drift. "They spray at night when the winds are down, and so it doesn't drift anywhere," Hines said while summarizing the farm’s practices. Members agreed to request a short, written summary from the applicator (identified in discussion as Shady Brook) so the board could provide a clear explanation to concerned neighbors or prospective buyers.
The board also noted follow-ups on replacement fencing, final easement mapping and periodic on-site checks during the build. No formal action or permit decision was taken by the board at the meeting; Hines said he would continue to meet with the site foreman and report back at future meetings.
The board discussed these items as part of routine project oversight; next steps include Hines’ site walk to confirm easement markings and the board’s request for a written integrated pest-management summary from the farm operator or applicator.
