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We are grateful to our state legislators for taking a proactive role by 1.) hosting a joint meeting with PennDOT officials and the developer, and 2.) meeting with concerned homeowners, giving our community a platform to voice concerns about the current traffic proposal.
Representative Williams has consistently highlighted the risks of this project, issuing 10 or more 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.
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
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

In June, concerned homeowners met separately with members of Senator John Kane’s staff and Representative Craig Williams to discuss the proposed development and its impacts. Both offices expressed support for many of the concerns raised and have voiced public opposition to the development. Rep. Williams issued this Statement on July 31, 2026:
Concord Township Council continued its review of the proposed Shoppes at Concord during its July 28 meeting. No final decisions were made, and the hearings were continued to September 8 at 7 p.m.
I continue to oppose the current proposal because of the overall impact the development would have on our community. Those concerns remain unchanged.
Council was presented with four conditional use requests involving fast food restaurants, supermarket liquor sales, the proposed car wash, and seasonal outdoor seating. None of those issues were resolved in the last meeting.
Traffic remains one of my primary concerns. I also want to take a moment to clarify something I wrote previously: the residents with whom I met do not want additional traffic turning onto Ridge Road to access the shopping center. I incorrectly correlated that with opposition to the new proposed traffic light less than 100 yards from the Ridge Road light. I want to make sure their position is clear: they do not want shopping center traffic on Ridge Road, in part, from concern that their community will be subject to tremendous pass-through traffic.
I support their concerns and arguments. I also am opposed to the additional traffic light on 202. I am sure both proposals are in the best interests of the developer, but neither are in our best interests. We have enough congestion on 202. The argument by the developer that we are already on a terrible corridor, and they would not add much to our misery, is absurd and not a demonstration of good corporate citizenship or neighborly concern.
I want to thank the resident group with whom I met for the zeal, persistence and tenacious advocacy. I continue to fight along your side!

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.
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:

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

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:
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.
The Township should evaluate:
Stormwater must be reviewed for:
The Township should assess impacts to:

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.

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.

To protect surrounding communities, including Concord Township must:
To protect surrounding communities, including Concord Township must:
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 and conditional use requests.
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


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.

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.

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:
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

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125 Commons Court, Chadds Ford, PA 19317
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