Laura McCrystal, Inquirer Staff Writer
Villanova University has cleared a major hurdle in its
expansion plans, which include building dormitories on an existing parking lot
along Lancaster Avenue.
The Radnor Township Board of Commissioners voted late Monday
night to approve zoning changes for the estimated $300 million project, a step
that took two years and drew strong opposition from some residents.
Villanova wants to build new dormitories, a performing arts
center, parking garage, and campus bookstore. A vocal group of residents has
spent thousands of dollars and has packed meetings to fight the plans, which
some said would increase traffic and noise while bringing an unwanted urban
feel to their Main Line community in Delaware County.
After an initial plan was rejected last year, the university
returned with the smaller proposal that gained approval Monday.
Villanova officials said the project would decrease traffic
because it would include a pedestrian bridge over busy Lancaster Avenue, where
thousands of students now use crosswalks every day. The new dormitories would
house nearly 1,200 students who now live off campus and drive to school.
After hearing from residents opposed to the plan Monday
night, the commissioners voted 4-2 to approve the zoning change.
"I honestly feel people oppose this because they don't
like change," Commissioner Jim Higgins said at the meeting.
"And ultimately, I do believe honestly that this will
have minimal adverse impact on people that live near it."
The project could still be years away. Villanova must submit
final designs to the township before work can begin. The new dormitories could
be open by the fall of 2019, said Chris Kovolski, assistant to the president at
Villanova.
Also Monday, the commissioners voted against a proposal to
hire an outside planner to review Villanova's plans and a proposal for
commercial development at the former Wyeth property on King of Prussia Road.
Some residents concerned about the potential impacts of both
projects wanted a consultant, rather than just the township's own planning
board, to examine plans.
Full story: http://tinyurl.com/l6f4psp
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