A couple of weeks ago a comment on a post to the West Goshen Sunshine Facebook page caught my attention. “RLD Greystone (developer) and Jerrehian, LLC. (co-developer) will be seeking approval for the final phase very soon. If West Goshen Township approves it, they’ve officially lost their collective minds in my opinion,” transparency advocate and West Goshen resident Margie Swart wrote. I knew the post was referring to the new Greystone development off of Pottstown Pike – I didn’t know much else.

So, I reached out to Margie who took me on a field trip to the Greystone development and gave me a little history lesson. What unfolded was a complicated tale of missed deadlines and still gated public lands. While I have, of course, driven past the massive custom stone sign countless times, I had never before turned in. I was shocked by the scale and beauty of the promised open space that awaits, nearly complete, public access.

”The 163-acre open space trail network was supposed to be completed in September 2020,” explained Margie. Now, the project is entering its final phase of development and residents are still awaiting access to the gorgeous new trail system.

The Unrealized Perks of a Neighborhood Improvement District

Once open the Aram and Adrienne Jerrehian Nature Preserve (yes, it has a name) can be accessed from Pottstown Pike, Phoenxiville Pike, Greenhill Rd, or Ashbridge Rd.

The story begins in 2017 when developer William Reiser of RLD Greystone approached West Goshen Township with a proposal to create a 441-acre Neighborhood Improvement District just north of the Borough. The Jerrehain family, who owned the property, already had approval to build 598 homes on it, what they didn’t have was a developer. RLD was interested in the project but they wanted some help from the township.

Using the NID, RLD would be able to finance a $33 million bond through the Chester County Industrial Development Authority. RLD could then use that money to fund the infrastructure upgrades required for such a massive development. It would also leave future residents to foot the bill to the tune of $100,000 each – but that is a story for another day. Today we’re focusing on the public piece of the promise. According to the developer’s lawyers, the NID would allow construction of public improvements – including 163 acres of passive parkland – to begin within a year to 18-month time frame, rather than the usual seven years expected for such a project.

A 2017 Daily Local article quoted project counsel Lou Colagreco, Jr., saying, “Infrastructure construction might begin before the end of the year.”

Under the NID, in addition to early access to the new public trail system, West Goshen would also receive $1 million for future upkeep and maintenance of the space. That is a significant enticement considering the dedication of land – when it takes place – will double West Goshen’s parkland.

Then West Goshen Supervisor Chris Pielli called the NID a “win-win situation.”

Still Waiting On a Park

Under the project proposal, one hundred eighty-four acres of open space have been set aside – of that, 163 acres will be dedicated to the township. (West Goshen requires developers to set aside a percentage of the project land for public recreation space. The Borough has similar requirements but our land development proposals never approach this scale. More on that next week.)  Once complete, the greenway will feature seven miles of passive recreation trails alongside three lakes, one owned and maintained by the township. The remaining acreage, and the other two lakes, will be set up under a deed restriction maintained by the development’s respective Homeowner’s Associations. All open space improvements are part of the public infrastructure pieces that were once, long ago, promised as part of Phase 1 of the project.  

The day we visited the development, it was easy to see the wide marked trails that wind through the woods and alongside ponds and creeks. The four planned “trail access” public parking areas are complete if not yet open to the public. Most trail entryways are still marked with “Private Property NO Trespassing” signs although rumor is they are walked regularly by neighbors and residents of the development.

The trail system used or not, is not complete, at least not officially.  In October, West Goshen engineer Bryan Kulakowsky delivered a punch list to developers outlining what work still needed to be completed before the Township would accept the dedication of land. To date, he does not believe developers have started that work. Nevertheless, on Tuesday, developers will go in front of the West Goshen Planning Commission and seek approval to begin Phase 6, or the final phase of the project.

After the Planning Commission, they will approach the Township Supervisors. Margie worries however, that once developers have that approval in hand, the township will lose significant leverage to make sure improvements are completed in a (somewhat) timely fashion.

“The only way to ensure it’s ever going to be turned over to the township is to withhold approval of the final phase,” she said. The township does maintain an escrow fund that will not be released until developers complete the project to township specifications. The fund started with roughly $560,000. It is unclear how much money remains today.

Update: During this week’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisors indicated they wanted to accept dedication of the roads and open space at the same time. Roads are usually one of the last pieces finalized in a development so this position seems to negate half the proposed benefits of the NID. Should they maintain that position, the public trails may not open until 2026. Although, West Goshen is hoping for late 2025.

---

Originally published on May 10, 2024

This story was part of a longer West Chester newsletter featuring all the news and events of the week. Curious what else is going on? Subscribe now to get the full story. New issues come out on Fridays!