Villanova Held Focus Groups On Proposed Project
People who lived close to the school were asked for their feedback on Villanova.
Photos
Villanova University held two focus groups of people who lived near the school on Monday, June 11, and asked them questions on the university's proposed project for new dorms, retail and a parking structure.
According to a resident who was a participant in one of the groups, which were held in an office in Bala Cynwyd, the group of ten people was video taped and audio taped and sat in a room with a one-way glass mirror.
What was interesting, said Nelson Dayton, who lives very close to the campus, is that when he was called on the phone five days prior for prequalification, he was asked questions about Radnor.
"At that point I had no indication about Villanova... I thought it was going to be about Radnor Township," Dayton said.
As he and the others were gathered in waiting room chatting, it became apparent the one thing they had in common — they all live close to Villanova.
Dayton said he was paid $125 for his two hours in the focus group.
When asked about the focus groups, the university released a statement, saying that it "regularly engages internal and external constituencies, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, prospective students and local residents, to gauge opinions on any number of issues."
"Whether it’s through meetings, events, research surveys or informal discussions, Villanova values the feedback offered by its stakeholders," the statement continued.
When asked if the focus groups were in lieu of community meetings that the university said it would hold with neighbors over the controversial building proposal, the school said "Villanova is committed to holding additional community meetings."
Dayton said the focus group participants were asked "all kind of questions" like what they thought about the university, its students, their communication efforts and the particular project.
Neighbor Kevin Geary, who was not a member of a focus group, said "Villanova wants to sell us a package of goods instead of putting forth a responsible plan."
"When Radnor residents start seeing TV ads or glossy mailers saying how great they are remember that instead of Villanova conducting open community meetings like they said they were going to do, they held secretive high priced focus groups in Bala Cynwyd," he said.
One long-reaching thing that has Dayton worried about the proposal, he said, is that Radnor Township is not a college town.
"We don’t want it to be a college town," he said. "We want it to be a neighborhood community with good colleges.”
Intheweeds
11:01 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Why is Right Plan for Radnor's leader Kevin Geary quoted in this article when he wasn't a participant in the Focus Group? Why is he being given a platform to spew his anti-Villanova spin? Focus groups are NOT replacements for open community meetings. Villanova conducted these to more accurately gauge the temperature of the most important issues close neighbors have. They are to GET information, not to give it. It's funny that he had the audacity to bash Villanova advertising itself, when the Right Plan for Radnor issued anti-Villanova robo-calls under the guise of an official Radnor Township broadcast.
Kevin Geary
12:58 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Intheweeds want to debate the issue? It seems you have a strong opinion on the issue. Sam could be the moderator. I'm game. Are you? What date's work for you? Let's review the facts.
1. Villanova unveiled a plan with 40 foot setbacks and 5 story buildings. Now they unveil a plan with ZERO set backs and NO height requirements.
2. Villanova promised April and May neighborhood meetings and go slow. They failed to live up to their promise, conducted these focus groups and pushed ahead with a bigger plan.
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/neighbors/With-community-input-Villanova-will-take-its-time.html
3. Our Township Manager, our Police Chief and a Radnor taxpayer funded independent study have raised concerns about Villanova’s plan. Villanova’s response? Silence. Read the URDC presentation here
http://www.radnor.com/egov/docs/1338380273_126312.pdf questioned key
5. Villanova says it will remove students from Radnor Township but more students may be removed from Conshohocken and Lower Merion and not Radnor.
Some people feel that if you are against this plan you are Anti-Villanova. That makes no sense. Villanova is my home parish and all of my children have been baptized there. Can't a reasonable person believe their plan can be better? We are against both plans and feel exactly as Township Manager Bob Zienkowski stated in his opinion “that if done correctly, this is a very good project for Radnor Township and Villanova”
Kevin Geary
Susan Michaelson
11:48 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Although this article is the first I've heard of this, there are a number of professional market research firms based in Bala Cynwyd that conduct focus groups for clients. This is a professional and very legitimate way to conduct market research, and to characterize it as "secretive" is silly. As for pricing, that's really between firm and client. Holding focus groups is but one piece of Villanova's data gathering; open community dialogue is coming.
The problem with the way in which "community input" is so often solicited in Radnor is that it's organized by a politically active segment of the population with a vested interest in one outcome over another, and is devoid of the balanced professionalism that Villanova is bringing to this process.
Rather than condemning Villanova, we should be thanking the university for making the investment to get at real answers reflecting a broad base of input, and not just that of the most vocal activists.
Intheweeds
2:12 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Kevin Geary,
Though you say it, doesn't mean its true.
You state (and I quote) "Villanova unveiled a plan with 40 foot setbacks and 5 story buildings. Now they unveil a plan with ZERO set backs and NO height requirements."
Here is an overhead view of the Plan: http://www1.villanova.edu/content/dam/villanova/president/CampusPlan&ProjectSite.jpg
Looks like plenty of setback from your neighborhood. So you are positioning publicly that Villanova University is pushing a project that will have buildings with zero setback to your neighborhood's property lines? When there are ZERO properties in Radnor that will directly abut this project? ZERO.
Sure, Villanova said they would have April/May community meetings. It's June. They are taking their time. They have not asked for any zoning relief in the interim. Focus groups are to GATHER information and not a replacement for these planned meetings.
This plan will put 85% of students ON CAMPUS. If you don't think that's a net positive for Radnor, I can't help you.
Right Plan for Radnor
2:25 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Respectfully Intheweeds the plan you link to is not what Villanova is proposing on Monday. this is: https://www.radnor.com/egov/docs/13390886557473.pdf
I suggest everyone in Radnor read it. Go to page 4
And too quote Villanova's application directly "there shall be NO required front yard setback for any building or any permanent structure on any street..."
"There shall be no limitations on the number of floors or stories."
"No buffer planting stript or screening shall be required along any property line..."
If you feel no setbacks, no buffers, no height restrictions are good for the area neighborhood and Radnor, then that is your opinion. But make no mistake what Villanova unveiled in February is NOT what they are petitioning for on Monday.
So InTheWeeds what date works for you and a public debate?
Have a good weekend and Father’s Day. Maybe you can introduce yourself to me on Monday night. You certainly have an opinion and have a right to express during the public comment phase. I hope you do.
Sincerely,
Kevin Geary
Brian Ewart
11:44 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Mr. Geary,
I would recommend that you obtain legal counsel to read the document you lined to and to explain it to you. If your contention is that the proposal would allow the school to build right up to a residential property line, or to build a skyscraper, then you are very mistaken. A professional will be able to read the document for you and explain it in laymans terms.
There is no limit on the number of stories, but a limit on the overall height of the buildings. So, I guess if Villanova want's to build floors with only a foot between the floor and ceiling, they can go hog-wild, but it's not unrestrictive.
Either you really do need the assistance of counsel, or you are playing games here and selectively quoting passages out of context. If you're going to do the latter, I recommend that you don't link to the source.
PJ
4:40 pm on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Mr. Geary,
I highly suggest you tone down your rhetoric and focus on representing the Radnor residents, rather than continuing your angry and often inaccurate attacks. Your approach reflects poorly on the township of Radnor and has frustrated many of us taxpaying citizens. As Mr. Ewart above correctly explains, it appears many of your disagreements arise from a misunderstanding of the proposals text.
Mr. Geary, you are in a position to represent Radnor residents and work towards a better integration between Radnor and Villanova. Please do not continue to turn your dialogue into one of anti-Villanova propaganda. It is a disservice to your position and to the people of Radnor.
Intheweeds
2:47 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Kevin - You, of course, leave out the qualifiers to this submission. It is the FACT that the only neighbors to this plan are SEPTA tracks, Ithan Avenue and Lancaster Avenue. This has nothing to do with setbacks from your neighborhood. It explicitly limits itself to "non-residential use" properties.
The no-buffer/screening is applicable to "non-residential use properties" only. Will the SEPTA tracks be complaining they have a nice building instead of a parking lot to look at?
As to building height, the proposal specifically states that the limit is 65 feet. They just want to not be mandated to 4 or 5 floors versus 6, and not have extraneous roof-based items count towards building height. You have seen Stanford Hall across the tracks which is over 65 feet tall, correct?
So I suggest everyone read the request as well. To further show that your are actively spinning the truth, and that Villanova is doing things the right way here.
Kevin Geary
2:53 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Happy to debate it publicly.
Intheweeds
3:33 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Kevin, we are debating it publicly, and you are exposing your half truths and spin perfectly.
You state "If you feel no setbacks, no buffers, no height restrictions are good for the area neighborhood and Radnor, then that is your opinion. But make no mistake what Villanova unveiled in February is NOT what they are petitioning for on Monday. "
First and foremost what Villanova unveiled in February is EXACTLY what they are proposing today.
Second, and as this petition states, there are NO RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES ADJACENT TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT.
Third, the setback and buffer waiver request is to streets and SEPTA Right of Ways ONLY. Again, it specifically states "non-residential" properties.
There is a stated height restriction of 65 feet. Villanova is just trying to make sure that HVAC units mounted on the roof are not included in that measurement.
So, you said that Villanova proposed "No buffer planting stript or screening shall be required along any property line..." but conveniently left our the "which is used for non-residential purposes".
And you said: "And too quote Villanova's application directly "there shall be NO required front yard setback for any building or any permanent structure on any street..." but conveniently left out "shall be located less than 5 feet from any other property line dedicated to non-residential use".
Villanova is not asking for setback or buffer relief from ANY residential property.
Sarah
4:28 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Very interesting article. I was called twice about participating in this June 11th focus group in Bala Cynwyd and the caller very clearly said she was calling on behalf of Schlesinger Associates, a market research firm hired by Radnor Township -- NOT by Villanova University.
NIMBY
10:59 am on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Dear Kevin,
What is your proposed solution to moving 85% of students back on campus. See it's easy to sit there and be critical of every proposal. Let's hear your solution. Villanova has limited land to build student housing thus it must build buildings that are tall. The university is nice enough to do this near a railroad track for your benefit. So basically you are fighting this because it will inconvenience you and a couple of your neighbors during its construction. You knew all of this when you purchased a home near a university. You are a NIMBY and need to come to this realization.
PLH
7:49 am on Monday, June 18, 2012
Once again, I am a neighbor who is thrilled to have Villanova improve the area - I would just like it to be done thoughtfully and responisbly - I always site West Campus which I think is absolutely beautiful - with a huge set back from the surrounding areas with little or no impact on the neighborhoods adjacent even though they fought it tooth and nail.
As I have stated before - there are *real* concerns... it's not just the "NIMBYs" The Radnor police have stated that they are concerned about the safety of the 5 story parking garage Villanova proposes and issues with disbursing those cars. They sited that there is a parking garage across from West Campus that is NEVER used to capacity and is within code - so why add one that is not within code. Villanova has a major throughfare going through the middle of their campus and are planning to move many more people to the other side of it who will have to cross it MANY TIMES A DAY - students crossing Lancaster Ave is ALREADY a huge safety issue - students have been KILLED crossing with many FEWER ever needing to cross - so why not put in serious considerations for that? crossing bridge? etc.
These are NOT NIMBY issues - water run off studies - no more or less than ANYONE has to do to have construction done in the area.
Greg Hudson
2:43 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
I think you have hit the nail on the head of the real concerns as it comes to safety and runoff. I think the debate on setbacks is purely self-interest.
When it comes to neighbors being upset about not being involved in focus groups for input. I suggest that they defer to the professional organizations that put these together. It is unscientific to include people who ask to contribute, as they usually are too biased towards self interests.