MNSA Friends, Families and Volunteers:
There has been a lot of talk within the community about the proposed development at Cardinal Crossing, the current site of the Don Guanella school. Many people are understandably opposed to developing this 213 acre tract of land. However, here are some things that the community should know:
- The Archdiocese has an agreement of sale pending with a developer for $47 Million. This is an important point! This land was not given or sold to the Township.
- Developers develop.
- Currently the land is zoned for Institutional use, which limits what the developers can do to the property, unless the Marple Commissioners amend the zoning.
- The Marple Commissioners have rejected the first development proposal, and are now working with the developer to come up with a plan that will preserve more open space and serve the needs of the community.
One thing that Marple desperately needs is a safe place for kids to play sports. The fields that are available are all school fields, and they are sadly overused. We also don’t have proper bathroom facilities or parking for all of the families that gather here on weekends.
The Cardinal Crossing development may be our last opportunity to build a proper sports facility for this community! Picture a beautiful Community Center, with multiple fields, a playground, and walking trails. Other townships in our area have facilities like this, and they are valuable assets for their communities.
If this sounds like something that you see value in, you can help make this a reality. Here is what needs to be done: attend the Marple Planning Committee meetings (next meeting 12/3/15), and call your Ward Commissioners and other elected officials to let them know that the Cardinal Crossing development needs to meet the recreational/sporting needs of the community:
Joseph Rufo
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Ward 1
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(610) 325-7729
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Jan Ceton
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Ward 2
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(610)353-2732
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Robert Fortebuono
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Ward 3
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(610) 353-5457
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John Lucas
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Ward 4
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(610) 356-1678
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John Longacre
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Ward 5
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(610) 356-5475
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Michael Molinaro
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Ward 6
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(610) 353-4710
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Daniel Leefson
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Ward 7
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(610) 353-4093
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If you believe this is an important issue, you must attend and speak at the January 12, 2016 Planning Commission special meeting that will continue to focus on this item. The meeting is 7 pm to 10 pm at the Marple Township Building.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email me at [email protected].
Together, we can make Cardinal Crossing a beautiful asset for our children and this Township!
Chip Stracciolini
MNSA President