The battle to keep Crebilly Farm as open space has not lost steam, with residents pressing Westtown Township officials to reconsider any commercial use of the property’s historic Darlington Inn, which the township plans to auction off, writes Brooke Schultz for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Officials said a circulating email “mischaracterized the intent and scope of the agenda item” related to the changes proposed on the 2019 comprehensive plan, which drew a large turnout of community preservationists at Monday’s public meeting.
“Just so we’re clear, there is absolutely no initiative right now to rezone Crebilly Preserve in any fashion,” said Ed Yost, chairman of the board. “Characterizing this as an imminent strip mall or warehouse along the corridor is just not the fact.”
The supervisors have also released a statement reiterating their commitment to preserving the township’s open space.
Plans to auction off the inn were established when the municipality purchased the property. The approach was necessary because grant requirements would otherwise have required demolition of the building.
By acquiring the Darlington Inn separately, the township preserved the option for future adaptive use.
The board postponed its vote on the proposed comprehensive plan.
Read more about Crebilly Farm and the possible commercial use of Darlington Inn in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on VISTA.Today in May 2026.
