Don't Give VU 'Preferential Treatment,' Resident Urges

Villanova University officials presented their latest plan for a major development on the school's campus.

Radnor Township's Planning Commission on Monday considered the school's petition to change Radnor's zoning for their proposal, which includes new dorms, a parking garage and retail stores for the space that is currently a parking lot.

A performing art center is also included in possible future development.

Revisions to an original plan include "a 30-foot frontyard setback along Lancaster Ave., increased setbacks along Ithan Ave. and buffering along the Rt. 100 SEPTA high-speed line, reductions in height for the parking structure and student residence buildings, and a parking scheme that diverts parking concentration and decreases the traffic impact at the congestion-prone Ithan-Lancaster Ave. intersection," reports Main Line Media News.

Part of Villanova's selling point for the new dorms is that it will take students out of area neighborhoods and keep them on campus, lessening traffic and student rental issues. Chris Kovalski, Assistant to the President at Villanova, said that demand has always exceeded supply of on-campus housing, and he believes any new dorms will fill up as others have in the past.

Rosemont resident Patti Barker said "We're not opposed to reasonable development... We just are asking why should Villanova be granted preferential treatment." She asked the Planning Commission to "take your time."

Delaware County Planning Commission will review the school's proposal and give its recommendations.