At last week’s meeting of around 100 Marple Township residents, Peter Miller, president of Carlino Commercial Development, made it clear that the company will be developing part of the 213 acres of land owned by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, writes Caitlin McCabe for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

He emphasized during the question-and-answer session that the preferred plan is to preserve 166 acres and redevelop 47 acres. However, he said that, if zoning support is not provided, the company would do a larger project permitted under the current zoning.

“So no matter what,” a resident asked Miller, “you’re going to develop the property?”

“We’re going to develop the property,” Miller responded.

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The announcement came as a surprise to many of the gathered residents, who have managed to derail the efforts of a previous developer to build on the property. But it was made clear this time that the circumstances are different. Miller intends to settle the sale agreement with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and development will begin no matter what.

Miller also explained the developer could have taken the easy way out and proceeded with the by-right plan, but that was not the case.

“We’re trying to do right,” he said.

Read more about Carlino Commercial Development’s plans in the Philadelphia Inquirer by clicking here.