Politics & Government
Villanova Looking to Rezone for Development
In lieu of seeking zoning relief, the school will propose a new zoning district in which it can build.
Five-story buildings. A four-story parking garage. Shorter building setbacks.
These are items that would normally bring someone in front of the Radnor Township Zoning Hearing Board to seek zoning relief.
But Villanova University, in its attempt to make a major campus transformation and addition, will instead propose a zoning overlay district for its campus and surrounding area.
Find out what's happening in Radnorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
On Monday night, the township’s Board of Commissioners and residents got a glance at the university’s $200 million proposal for housing 1,160 undergraduates, parking for about 1,800 cars, an eatery and school bookstore and a performing arts center that would house theater department.
The school says the project will not increase student enrollment.
Find out what's happening in Radnorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The school plans on submitting formal plans in March.
The commissioners did not say much on Monday, but here are a few thoughts expressed:
Kevin Higgins: Asked for the school to commit to capping its student enrollment numbers.
Don Curley: Thinks the project has “great merit to it, planning wise,” but would encourage traffic calming on Lancaster Avenue.
John Fisher: “I’m going to be looking for anything and everything you can do to reduce the impact on adjacent neighbors.”
John Nagle: “I fundamentally like plan, but have a lot of concerns that need to be hashed out.”
Jim Higgins: He said it looks like a wonderful project, so “What took you so long?” and strongly encouraged a pedestrian bridge over Lancaster Avenue.
Commissioner Elaine Paul Schaefer has recused herself from discussing or voting on the project because her husband’s company sells a small amount of athletic equipment to the school.
Some of the concerns brought up by neighbors were stormwater management, lighting, traffic flow, and the visual and auditory impacts of bigger buildings.
Some thoughts from neighbors:
John Heckscher: “It’s important we feel as residents we are not losing our quality of life for your benefits.”
Philip Ahr: “We know it will look beautiful. And impressive. And big.”
Kevin Geary: Will there be trust with no consequences?
Colleen Price: “This plan is completely against our law… They’re not out to save the health and welfare of the township. This is for their own growth.”
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.