Open space battle comes to vote in Concord tonight

The battle lines are drawn out in Concord Township.

At stake is something called the Beaver Valley, a pristine tract that sits partly in Delaware (the state) and partly here in Delaware County. It is 230 acres of pristine open space in an area that is quickly becoming one of the most congested areas in the county.

As you might expect, those who want to see that open space preserved are not exactly in love with the idea of a developer plopping down 163 homes on the tract.

But that's what is at stake in Concord, and supervisors could vote on the plan tonight. Last week the township planners gave the green light to the plan put forth by Eastern States Development, of Wilmington, Del., and Springfield-based McKee-Concord Homes LP. Actually this is their second go-round. An initial plan which called for more development on more land was scrapped. The builder now are hoping to win approval by trying to save more open space.

Opponents to the plan are unbowed - and unabashed in their opposition to the loss of this open space.

More than 200 of them turned out for the planning commission vote last night. They likely will be out in force again tonight.

Township supervisors will meet at 6 p.m. at Garnet Valley Middle School, 6-01 Smithbridge Road.

Forget the Battle of the Brandywine. That might look tame compared to the Battle of Concord.

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