Bass Tournament Nets Big Fish!

Last night's Chester County Bass Masters Tournament at Marsh Creek brought in a record bass weighing in at over 7 lbs! Congratulations to the winners! Next Tuesday evening will be the last of the Tuesday Night Tournaments (TNT) for this season.For more info on the Bass Masters or entering please go to www.chestercountybassmasters.com
**Updated Info** That's Fisherman Wendell Orosz who caught the record giant 7.01 lb bass. 1st place went to the Fishing team of Robinson and Petry with 2 fish weighing a combined 7.34 lbs. They took first place last week as well!

Public Hearing a Farce/Ordinance 1323 Adopted

After hours of testimony from water experts, consultants, and many Wallace Township residents the Board of Supervisors adopted the Ordinance allowing creation of a 600 acre spa/golf course/hotel resort as previously expected.

Compelling information against adoption of the Ordinance was offered by Mr. Henry Rowan, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Land Use Coalition and Supervisor of Buckingham Township for 15 years, as well as Anne Misak of Clean Water Action, Philadelphia/Harrisburg, and Mr. Ott, Land Use Planner of West Chester PA ACLP. Numerous residents also presented testimony as well as signed petitions against #1323.

As required by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), Section 609e, the amendment to the zoning ordinance was submitted to the Chester County Planning Commission for review on July 21, 2008. The County responded with a 6 page assessment of the Plan on August 18, 2008. The review cites gross inadequacies, and plainly states that as presently written, a PCCC (Planned Country Club Community) is inconsistent with both the Township's own Comprehensive Plan as well as the 1996 Chester County Comprehensive Plan, Landscapes. It states that "The Chester County Planning Commission does not endorse this amendment as it is currently written..." and recommends "that the Township defer action on this particular amendment..." and suggests that the Township find a more suitable location for a PCCC, one in a less sensitive environmental area.

In a stunning display of contempt for the Chester County Planning Commission's findings, the Wallace Township Solicitor indicated (not a direct quote) that the CC Planning Commission did not know what they were doing, and that the review was based on a gross lack of understanding. Wallace Planning Commission member Skip McGrew agrees, stating: "...The one new item was the letter from the County Planning Commission. Those of us who have read many such letters were shocked at the tone of the letter and the complete disregard for the existing zoning and subdivision ordinances. It appeared that the author had not read those ordinances and had no understanding of the land planning process. Most surprising was the unprecedented notion that the Township Comprehensive Plan should be revised to provide for a destination resort. Even the most casual reader of the Comprehensive Plan should see that it provides broad, overall direction and doesn't address specific development plans. One can only suspect that some savvy political lobbying was in play here."

At the Hearing it was disclosed that the developer, Mr. Greenfield, has an old application for the resort "pending", meaning that he can decide to attempt development regardless of whether Ordinance 1323 is passed or not!

It is clear that the decision to allow the resort to move forward and adopt this Ordinance was made prior to the Public Hearing. This decision has been made regardless of the overall impact to residents' quality of life, environmental concerns, safety, traffic and water quality - not of just Wallace Townships, but of neighboring townships as well.

*Chester County Planning Commission Does Not Endorse Ordinance 1323*

The Chester County Planning Commission has reviewed the proposed amendment to Wallace Township's zoning ordinances which would allow a PCCC (Planned Country Club Community). Their determination is that this Ordinance 1323 does not appear to be consistant with Wallace Township's own Comprehensive Plan and they DO NOT ENDORSE THIS AMENDMENT. The review cites extensive changes to the physical environment, inadequate study regarding traffic and water studies, & facilities for transient use as some of the serious faults of the Ordinance. It clarifies that the majority of the FRR Flexible Rural Residential District and the I Industrial District fall within the "Agricultural /RuralResidential" and "Open Space/Conservation" future land use categories. The Commission reccommends more "adequate protection for the Township's sensitive environmental features" as part of the Ordinance, and notes that "the protection of water resources in the area should receive special attention". They suggest that the Board of Supervisors
DEFER ACTION ON THIS AMENDMENT!!

Slow Night at Tuesday Night's Bass Tournament

Unfortunately, most of the 15 boats that went out for last night's tournament on Marsh Creek lake came up with a big zero! August hasn't been great for bass fishing, and last night was a frustrating washout for most. The biggest bass weighed in at 4.53 lbs. The same boat hauled in 2 other nice ones for a total of 12.01 pounds and the first place prize. The contest begins at 6pm (registration starts at 5pm) and runs until 10pm. All the boats last night were in before 10 (which is an indicator of a poor night). The head of the Bass Club predicts a good September, and I heard plenty of fish stories to keep motivated! I caught a small one myself yesterday out in the kayak. As a final note, all the fishermen release the bass they catch! (as do I) Next time I'll bring you some pictures. Happy Fishing! -adrienne

Public Hearing and Why I Hate Ordinance 1323

Wow! How's that for a title! First and foremost, it is really important that everyone with an interest in or concern about having a Spa/Golf resort in Wallace Township comes to the Public Hearing on Thursday evening, Aug. 21 at 7:30 pm in the Township Building at 1250 Creek Road, Glenmoore, PA 19343. The regular Board of Supervisors meeting will follow immediately after the public hearing, and it is anticipated that they will approve new Ordinance 1323 - the Ordinance that allows this PCCC, or Planned Country Club Community.

I am a true believer in the democratic system - if everyone loved the idea of a resort in Wallace I would put my feelings aside and attend the 'Conditional Use' meetings that hammer out the details- even though I know that creating a resort will pollute the water and spoil the fishing and wildlife habitat, even though I sigh with despair when I imagine 5,000 to 10,000 more cars a day passing through the intersection of Marshall Rd and Chalfant (a member of the Planning Commission gave me that number, I didn't make it up) even though I get fighting-mad at the merest suggestion that my well water might be harmed/depleted and force public water into the region, and even though I fear that the investors in the project will eventually push for a gaming license and add a casino.

HOWEVER, I have heard only 1 person (other than the developer, of course!) say that they actually like the idea of the resort. Everyone else that I have spoken with or heard at the Township meetings has either said that they really don't want to turn Wallace Township into a resort-town, or hurriedly explains how they don't believe it will ever happen and they are just so busy with their family, job, and obligations to get involved or think too much about it and, oh my, look at the time, something's in the oven....

SO, I hate Ordinance 1323 and,in the name of democracy, I invite you, your friends and neighbors to join me at the Public Hearing and tell the Board of Supervisors that you hate it as well. Sign a petition, come say what you think and support speakers at the Hearing that feel the way you do. Residents of neighboring townships are also encouraged to attend! The traffic and water issues created by this project will not be confined to Wallace alone!

Let's support reasonable growth that doesn't impact the area in such an extreme way. Preserve our watershed!

RURAL CHARACTER

Today's thoughts focus on "Rural Character".
Many residents at the meetings held to discuss the proposed "Country Club Community" expressed concern about how such a project would change the rural character of Wallace Township. Right now, we enjoy a beautiful setting and the privilege of a High Quality stream - the East Brandywine Creek. How will a spa/golf resort "fit in"? Bringing in commercial enterprises like hotels and private activities designed for visiting non-residents, and the resulting traffic, doesn't seem like an idea well suited to a rural community.
I received an interesting letter about this subject and Wallace Township's Comprehensive Plan : " The Amendment is inconsistent with Wallace' 1986 comprehensive plan. The first of eight goals of that plan is to "Provide for development in an orderly manner that will retain the rural character of the community and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the Township." A planned country club community (PCCC) allows considerable residential and commercial development. The effect on the Township of either of these is hard enough to predict. Together, they constitute disorderly development. The commercial facilities of a PACC are incompatible with a quiet, rural lifestyle. They include a country club and recreation center with 112 guest suites; restaurants and a shop; a spa and wellness center with 80 more guest suites and a huge parking lot."
- What do you think?- adrienne

How's the Fishin'?

Well, I went out on Marsh Creek Lake for just a couple of hours Saturday. Tossed in my line in the finger on the East side of the dam and had no trouble finding a couple of largemouth bass! I have my in-laws here for a week from Florida and they were impressed!(sound of applause...thank you) The water is really warming up, there's quite a bit of algae now, and this is the third time out in the last couple of weeks where I saw 2 or 3 dead panfish floating on the surface. Oxygen must be getting depleted. Fishing with worms 2 weekends ago I couldn't keep up with the amount of strikes :). Lots of action and fun with the kids if you use live bait. Looking forward to some kayak time later this afternoon! -adrienne

THUMBS UP OR DOWN? ORDINANCE 1323

There are a lot of different topics to discuss, where should we start? Well, since one of the most pressing subjects is the Ordinance 1323 (which allows a "Planned Country Club Community" on the Brandywine River), let's begin with that one!

On Aug. 21, 2008 at 7:30 PM in the Township Bldg located at 1250 Creek Road, Glenmoore you will have the opportunity to speak out and influence the future of our Watershed and wildlife!

Ordinance 1323 was developed to allow the creation of a 600 acre private resort (including a spa, hotels, and golf course) on lands adjacent to Marsh Creek State Park. The proposal includes the Cornog Quarry as well well as properties which contain portions of the Struble Trail and East Branch of the Brandywine River. The developer, Albert Greenfield III, calls the concept Valhalla Brandywine.

How will this kind of use affect the water and wildlife? Well, I don't think that it is much of a stretch to imagine how the wildlife is going to react - it will be pushed out. Where will it go? I'd love to hear your thoughts on that. Maybe some of the hunters can give us some input there.

There are serious concerns about how the water will be affected. Water use for a spa and golf course will be extremely heavy. The East Branch of the Brandywine contains the headwaters, which means that any negative impact on quality will be seen/felt all the way to Delaware. There's going to be runoff, there's going to be sewage. What will this do to our local fishing?

A consequence of this Ordinance will be the clear allowance for hotels. Right now the Ordinance permits 180 hotel rooms. There are also 275 proposed homes.

This resort is going to generate a heck of a lot of traffic. It's going to change the rural character of Wallace Township.

What do you think? -adrienne

YOU MADE IT!!!

So happy to have you here! Welcome!

Now, remember that we are all sharing our opinions here. I don't expect you to have a lawyer sitting by your side while you consider what thoughts you'd like to share. That goes for me, as well. The idea is that we can communicate with one another and work together for a better environment and community.

We'd like to keep our focus on the waters and the environment of Chester County. We have a special emphasis on the Upper East Branch of the Brandywine River. This is because it is such a critical area in maintaining the health of connecting bodies of water and the source of a great deal of resources (both environmental and recreational).

I'll try to open up topics that will give us the opportunity for a better understanding of how we can affect positive changes. Are you are a fisherman/woman, bird watcher, outdoor sports enthusiast? Let us know about what's going on locally and send us your photos! Are you a botanist, geologist or water expert? Share your knowledge and help us learn more about our area.

OK, let's go! -adrienne