Over 18,632 Site Visits - People Who Care About Our Community

Save Ridge Road
Home
News
Donate
Environment
Township Roles
Major Concerns
PennDOT
Zoning
Parcel Info
Press
Important Documents
Save Ridge Road
Home
News
Donate
Environment
Township Roles
Major Concerns
PennDOT
Zoning
Parcel Info
Press
Important Documents
More
  • Home
  • News
  • Donate
  • Environment
  • Township Roles
  • Major Concerns
  • PennDOT
  • Zoning
  • Parcel Info
  • Press
  • Important Documents
  • Home
  • News
  • Donate
  • Environment
  • Township Roles
  • Major Concerns
  • PennDOT
  • Zoning
  • Parcel Info
  • Press
  • Important Documents

DONATE!

DONATE!

DONATE!

DONATE!

DONATE!

DONATE!

The Roles of Two Townships

Understanding Roles and Responsibilities

It is important to understand which local bodies have authority over this controversial land development plan. While most of the parcel lies in Concord Township, a defined portion extends into Chadds Ford Township. Additionally, substantial grading and infrastructure work are proposed within the PennDOT right-of-way along Ridge Road, which is entirely in Chadds Ford Township.  In a letter dated 12/9/2025, Chadds Ford Township's own engineer stated the following:  

Read Letter here:   Microsoft Word - Revew of Plans and Documents.docx 


  • "There is a 25 foot construction easement that appears to be within the Township of Chadds Ford. Additionally, the grading directly behind (west) the proposed supermarket shows grading right up to the township line.
  • The contours, as shown go down to 360, however; the existing grade at the lowest point is 359 at the township line. As such, real world grading would occur within the Township boundaries. 
  • Additionally, there is grading within the Township along Ridge Road where the road is being reprofiled. This grading appears to extend beyond the PennDOT ROW. Any grading within Chadds Ford Township should be done with permits through Chadds Ford.
  • Stormwater infrastructure is being proposed along Ridge Road within Chadds Ford in the form of inlets, culverts, and swales."


Because the property and related improvements cross municipal boundaries, both Townships have clear jurisdictional interests. Under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, municipalities are expected to plan cooperatively when land uses cross township lines. In this case:

  • Concord Township has authority over the portion of the parcel physically located within Concord. 
  • Chadds Ford Township has authority over the portion that falls within its borders—and critically, over any improvements (like grading, stormwater systems, or road work) occurring within its jurisdiction.


Learn More About the Dual Review Process

Effective coordination doesn’t happen automatically—it requires active engagement from both municipalities and the public.

Given the parcel's location, this is not a single-township approval process. It is a multi-jurisdictional review, where:


  1. Concord Township governs the core parcel area within its borders 
  2. Chadds Ford Township governs its portion and any related improvements within its limits 
  3. PennDOT controls the state road but relies on municipal coordination 

Why split-boundary projects must trigger dual review


When a parcel crosses municipal lines, each municipality retains full land use authority over the portion within its borders under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. There is no doctrine that allows one township to “stand in” for the other. That means:


  • Each municipality applie

Why split-boundary projects must trigger dual review


When a parcel crosses municipal lines, each municipality retains full land use authority over the portion within its borders under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. There is no doctrine that allows one township to “stand in” for the other. That means:


  • Each municipality applies its own zoning ordinance 
  • Each municipality enforces its own subdivision and land development ordinance (SALDO) 
  • Each municipality issues its own approvals, permits, and conditions 

Off-site Improvements Expand Jurisdiction


Even if most of the buildings are in Concord, the moment the plan proposes any of the following within Chadds Ford, that township gains direct regulatory authority over any of those elements.


  • Grading 
  • Stormwater discharge 
  • Road widening or access points 

What “parallel, coordinated applications” means


This isn’t just good practice—it’s how developers avoid a structurally flawed approval. A competent developer should:


  • File two land development applications, one in each municipality 
  • Submit consistent plans that clearly delineate the municipal boundary 
  • Provide cross-referenced materials (storm

What “parallel, coordinated applications” means


This isn’t just good practice—it’s how developers avoid a structurally flawed approval. A competent developer should:


  • File two land development applications, one in each municipality 
  • Submit consistent plans that clearly delineate the municipal boundary 
  • Provide cross-referenced materials (stormwater, traffic, utilities) showing how the entire project functions, not just each slice 
  • Sequence hearings and reviews so conditions can be aligned before final approval 
  • Without this, each township is reviewing an incomplete picture of the project.

Chadds Ford Township Should Review and Act Now

Require a Land Development Application

Require a Land Development Application

Require a Land Development Application

 Any grading, stormwater systems, or infrastructure within Township boundaries should trigger a formal submission by the developer, Retail Sites LLC, and review by the Planning Commission. 

Conduct Engineering Review

Require a Land Development Application

Require a Land Development Application

 The Township should evaluate:

  • Grading and earth disturbance 
  • Stormwater management plans 
  • Compliance with local ordinances

Analyze Stormwater Impacts

Evaluate Environmental Disturbance

Evaluate Environmental Disturbance

 Stormwater must be reviewed for:

  • Increased runoff and flooding risk 
  • Downstream impacts within the Township 
  • Consistency with watershed plans

Evaluate Environmental Disturbance

Evaluate Environmental Disturbance

Evaluate Environmental Disturbance

 The Township should assess impacts to:

  • Wetlands and streams 
  • Woodlands and steep slopes 
  • Sensitive environmental areas

Concord Township Public Meetings

Zoning Hearing Meeting: May 20, 2026, 7:00 PM

   
The next Zoning Hearing Board meeting is scheduled for:
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM. 

Concord Township Community Obligations

Public Meetings

Protecting the Community

Responsible Planning

 Public meetings are often the only formal opportunity for residents to enter concerns into the official record. Attendance demonstrates that impacts are real, widespread, and community-wide—not theoretical or isolated. Decision-makers give greater weight to issues that are clearly documented and supported by resident testimony. 



 Particip

 Public meetings are often the only formal opportunity for residents to enter concerns into the official record. Attendance demonstrates that impacts are real, widespread, and community-wide—not theoretical or isolated. Decision-makers give greater weight to issues that are clearly documented and supported by resident testimony. 



 Participation in Concord Township meetings is critical because that is where land use approvals, conditions, and compliance decisions are made. Resident attendance helps ensure that intermunicipal impacts are acknowledged, questioned, and addressed before approvals are finalized, when meaningful changes and mitigation are still possible. 



Responsible Planning

Protecting the Community

Responsible Planning

  Concord Township has a legal obligation to ensure that development approvals comply with zoning, land use, and environmental requirements—and that foreseeable impacts on neighboring municipalities are fully evaluated and addressed. Intermunicipal effects cannot be deferred, minimized, or shifted onto surrounding communities. 


Responsible

  Concord Township has a legal obligation to ensure that development approvals comply with zoning, land use, and environmental requirements—and that foreseeable impacts on neighboring municipalities are fully evaluated and addressed. Intermunicipal effects cannot be deferred, minimized, or shifted onto surrounding communities. 


Responsible planning requires cooperation and foresight. By addressing regional impacts upfront and requiring appropriate safeguards, Concord Township can help prevent long-term consequences that would otherwise be borne by neighboring communities. 


As such, Concord Township has a responsibility to ensure that any development it approves complies with applicable zoning, land use, and environmental regulations—and that impacts do not extend beyond its borders. When a proposed project creates foreseeable effects on neighboring municipalities, Concord Township is obligated to fully evaluate and address those intermunicipal impacts.



Protecting the Community

Protecting the Community

Protecting the Community

To protect surrounding communities, including Concord Township must:


  • Require complete and accurate applications that fully disclose traffic, stormwater, environmental, and public safety impacts beyond township boundaries  
  • Consider intermunicipal impacts as part of its approval process, as required under state planning law  
  • Require revised 

To protect surrounding communities, including Concord Township must:


  • Require complete and accurate applications that fully disclose traffic, stormwater, environmental, and public safety impacts beyond township boundaries  
  • Consider intermunicipal impacts as part of its approval process, as required under state planning law  
  • Require revised or supplemental studies when initial submissions fail to account for downstream or cross-boundary effects  
  • Impose enforceable conditions of approval to mitigate impacts on neighboring roads, waterways, and neighborhoods  
  • Coordinate with affected municipalities and state agencies, including PennDOT, to ensure consistency and accountability  
  • Ensure transparency in decision-making, allowing impacted residents and municipalities meaningful opportunities to be heard  .

Reach Out to Concord Township Officials

Email Concord Township

We must continue engaging with the Concord Township Council members, who retain final authority over approval of the land development plan, regardless of the Planning Commission’s recommendations. This remains especially important given that the project is currently subject to an active zoning appeal. 


Dominic A. Pileggi, President, dpileggi@concordtownship.org  (recused)

John J. Gillespie, Co-Vice President, jgillespie@concordtownship.org

John L. Crossan, Co-Vice President, jcrossan@concordtownship.org

Dana Rankin, drankin@concordtownship.org

James Hunt, jhunt@concordtownship.org

Vinita Deshmukh, vdeshmukh@concordtownship.org

Larry Mutschler, lmutschler@concordtownship.org


Chadds Ford Township Public Meetings

Despite numerous public requests, Chadds Ford Township has declined to make this project a regular agenda item. That makes attendance and comment even more important. When residents show up, speak, and stay engaged, it signals that decisions made behind closed doors have consequences.


  • Roads & Traffic
    Increased congestion, turning conflicts, and cut-through traffic will affect our local corridors. These impacts must be independently evaluated from Chadds Ford’s perspective.


  • Independent Engineer Review
    Chadds Ford needs its own Township Engineer to review traffic, stormwater, grading, and infrastructure impacts. Without that analysis, our interests are not fully protected.

Chadds Ford Township Community Obligations

Public Meetings

Protecting the Community

Township Representation

  Participation in Chadds Ford Township meetings is equally important. These meetings guide whether and how the Township asserts its authority—by intervening in proceedings, commissioning independent reviews, coordinating with state agencies, or negotiating safeguards. Resident presence reinforces the mandate for Township leadership to ac

  Participation in Chadds Ford Township meetings is equally important. These meetings guide whether and how the Township asserts its authority—by intervening in proceedings, commissioning independent reviews, coordinating with state agencies, or negotiating safeguards. Resident presence reinforces the mandate for Township leadership to act decisively on behalf of the community.


Silence can be interpreted as consent. When residents show up, speak, and stay engaged, it signals to both townships that the consequences of these decisions extend beyond municipal borders and require careful, accountable action. 


Community participation strengthens transparency, improves outcomes, and helps protect Chadds Ford’s safety, environment, and 

quality of life.



Township Representation

Protecting the Community

Township Representation

  Decisions about this development are being made in multiple jurisdictions, and each decision point matters. While the project is located in Concord Township, many of its impacts—traffic congestion, road safety, stormwater runoff, environmental degradation, and strain on public services—will be felt directly by Chadds Ford residents. If 

  Decisions about this development are being made in multiple jurisdictions, and each decision point matters. While the project is located in Concord Township, many of its impacts—traffic congestion, road safety, stormwater runoff, environmental degradation, and strain on public services—will be felt directly by Chadds Ford residents. If those affected are not present and engaged, their concerns risk being underrepresented or overlooked. 


Chadds Ford Township has both the authority and the obligation to protect its residents when outside development creates direct impacts on our community. State law allows the Township to actively participate in zoning, permitting, and regulatory proceedings that affect our roads, environment, and public safety.


By engaging in these processes, commissioning independent technical reviews, and coordinating with state agencies, the Township can ensure that risks are fully evaluated and that impacts are not shifted onto Chadds Ford residents.


 

Protecting the Community

Protecting the Community

Protecting the Community

 The Board of Supervisors serves as the voice of Chadds Ford residents. Active engagement is essential to protect our roads, environment, public services, and quality of life.



 The Board of Supervisors serves as the voice of Chadds Ford residents. Active engagement is essential to protect our roads, environment, public services, and quality of life.


Chadds Ford Township has clear legal authority to act when development in neighboring municipalities threatens our community. To protect residents, the Township can:


  • Participate in zoning and permitting proceedings to represent Chadds Ford’s interests and challenge incomplete or flawed applications
  • Commission independent traffic, environmental, and safety reviews to verify developer claims and identify risks
  • Coordinate with PennDOT and other state agencies to address intermunicipal impacts
  • Engage directly with the approving municipality to seek enforceable safeguards and mitigation measures
  • Keep residents informed through transparent, consistent communication
     


Reach Out to Chadds Ford Township Officials

Email Chadds Ford Township

Chadds Ford Township has both the legal authority—under the Municipalities Planning Code and the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act—and a practical obligation to take an active role in representing the interests of Chadds Ford residents as this project moves forward. When development in a neighboring municipality has direct and foreseeable impacts, the Township is empowered not only to participate, but to advocate.


Chadds Ford Township Supervisors can be e-mailed at:

 

Ms. Timotha Trigg, Chair,  ttrigg@chaddsfordpa.gov 

Ms. Kathleen Goodier, Vice Chair, kgoodier@chaddsfordpa.gov 

Ms. Samantha Reiner, Supervisor, sreiner@chaddsfordpa.gov 

Reach Out to Our State Legislators

Contact Rep Willaims and Senator Kane

We are grateful to our state legislators for taking a proactive role by hosting a joint meeting with PennDOT officials and the developer, giving our community a platform to voice concerns about the current traffic proposal. Representative Williams has consistently highlighted the risks of this project, issuing 6 public statements warning of the traffic chaos it could bring to Route 202 and the disruption it would cause to residents in the surrounding neighborhoods.


Their attention to these issues reinforces the urgency of careful review and ensures that the voices of our community are heard at the highest levels. This advocacy is critical to protecting both the safety and quality of life of those who live near the proposed development.   2025-12-23 Interim PennDOT Submission.pdf 


Residents should continue to share concerns about the projected traffic and road safety issues for the following roads: Route 202, Ridge, Heyburn, Smithbridge, Ring, Spring Hill, Pleasant Hill, and Sunset Valley. 


Senator John Kane District Office

381 Brinton Lake Rd, Suite 3

Thornton, PA 19373

(610) 447-5845 

kane@pasenate.com

 Send Me an Email - Senator John Kane


Rep Craig Williams District Office

One Beaver Valley Road
Chadds Ford, PA 19317-9012
610-358-5925

Contact | PA State Rep. Craig Williams 


Rep. Craig Williams Update

Newsletter - March 20, 2026

At the request of the developer of the massive Shoppes at Concord on Ridge Road, the Concord Zoning Hearing Board hearing scheduled for this week was continued until May 2026. A reminder that these hearings are appeals by the developer of adverse decisions by the Zoning Hearing Officer on variances from township ordinances.
 

I remain vocally opposed to the proposed massive shopping center.
 

  •  We already suffer greatly from the traffic congestion on Route 202. As you know from my prior articles, I put a great deal of effort into road infrastructure and signal timing to improve our driving experience. The traffic proposal offered by the developer basically converted our state road to their business driveway. In fact, they original proposal closed the right turn lane into Glen Eagle Shopping Center, which is also the primary route for the residents of Spring Hill Farm (behind Glen Eagle Shopping Center). They also intended to change light timing at other intersections on Route 202 to build time for their customers to have a lengthy left turn onto Ridge Road. The claim was that the state road was already badly congested, so a little more would not hurt. 
  • I have safety concerns about the proposed traffic plans for Ridge Road and the neighbors and parishioners who use that road daily. As designed, it was a free-for-all of stop signs and merges. 
  • I hosted a meeting with the developer, their attorney, PennDOT and Senator Kane to discuss the traffic proposal. The developer committed to a new traffic plan and a traffic study. I have not seen their new plans, as there were too many moving parts which needed resolution. 
  • I have concerns about the environmental impact of a massive impervious surface next to our state road and adjoining residential communities. 
  • I have concerns about the nonchalance the developer has with regard to the Concord ordinance requiring a town-center feel to development (akin to Concordville Towne Center). We live in a historic community, especially as it relates to Chadds Ford and the Brandywine Battlefield. Skirting township laws about character and ambiance of shopping centers with clever arguments is not a demonstration of good corporate stewardship.
     

There is speculation in social media about why the developer wanted a continuance until May. My recommendation is to get your information from reliable sources. I know there is some effort by the developer to change their traffic plans and the to conduct a traffic study. If I get further information about other altered plans for the massive shopping center, I will certainly relay it to you.  

Copyright © 2025 Save Ridge Road - All Rights Reserved.

  

125 Commons Court, Chadds Ford, PA 19317

saveridgeorg@gmail.com

EIN # 39-5058583

  • News
  • Donate
  • Environment
  • Township Roles
  • Major Concerns
  • PennDOT
  • Zoning
  • Parcel Info
  • Press
  • Important Documents

Powered by

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Accept