A n April decision by Marple Commissioners that rezones Delco Woods zoning as open space triggered two legal actions May 14 from Delaware County, writes Kathleen E. Carey for the Daily Times.
One action appeals the commissioner rezoning with the Marple Township Zoning Hearing Board. The other, in Common Pleas Court, challenges Marple’s procedures during the rezoning vote.
“The rushed action by Marple Township, which was done in response to unfounded rumors and fears, could actually harm efforts to make the new Delco Woods a true community amenity by restricting some aspects of the proposed plan for Delco Woods,” reads a county statement.
The former Don Guanella property, now Delco Woods, was to be the site of the county’s largest park.
Recently, Delaware County Council members have suggested a section containing Don Guanella school buildings could also be a residential mental health facility.
That has generated weekly protests at county council meetings from residents who feel blind-sided by the last-minute proposal.
In a few months, “Council has managed to squander all of the bi-partisan goodwill they had created when they bought Don Guanella from the Archdiocese,” said Ken Hemphill, co-founder of Save Marple Greenspace, as reported by Max Bennett in Patch.
Read the latest about Delco Woods in the Daily Times and Patch.
