The new buyer of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s land in Marple Township plans to keep most of it as open space, writes Caitlin McCabe for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The 213-acre property was originally sold to developer Bruce Goodman three years ago. He had plans to build 300-plus townhomes and carriage houses, as well as businesses and retail, on the land. But Marple residents pushed back, convincing township officials to deny the zoning changes, causing the deal to fall through.

Now, Carlino Commercial Development, in partnership with Brian McElwee, president of Valley Forge Investment, has entered into an agreement to acquire the land but will also need a zoning change.

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“We are not going to change the zoning for anything that the community is not going to want,” said Joe Rufo, president of Marple Township’s Board of Commissioners. “Community input is what’s most important.”

To appease residents, Carlino president Peter S. Miller said the group intends keep a significant part of the property as open space.

“Our goal is to preserve and create a long-term public asset for much of the site,” Miller said, noting that a residential component is unlikely.

Read more about the coveted land in Marple Township in the Philadelphia Inquirer by clicking here.