EAST WHITELAND TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS’  PETITION IN OPPOSITION TO                      FLAT ROAD DEVELOPMENT

**PLEASE ATTEND THE CONDITIONAL USE HEARING ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29TH AT 7 PM AT THE EAST WHITELAND TOWNSHIP BUILDING.  ATTENDANCE AT THIS MEETING IS CRITICAL TO OUR SUCCESS IN OPPOSING THE FLAT ROAD DEVELOPMENT**

We, the undersigned residents of East Whiteland Township, hereby declare our opposition to the proposed development of 47 new homes on Flat Road and in support thereof state as follows:

1. Increased traffic and congestion -The neighborhoods surrounding the proposed site are already subject to problematic cut-through traffic as well as congestion on the surrounding roads, especially during peak commute hours. The development of 47 new homes would further exacerbate these issues. Additionally, the proposed plan seeks to eliminate the curve in Flat Road near the cemetery. Motorists regularly exceed the speed limit on Flat Road by more than double, and the elimination of the curve in the road would only serve to aggravate this problem.

2. Environmental concerns - The proposed development site is located on a limestone foundation and is also in close proximity to several existing or recently repaired sinkholes. The impervious surface of the proposed development would significantly change natural water drainage patterns, which will further erode the underlying limestone. Additionally, the proposed site is adjacent to an active quarry, the blasting of which both affects groundwater and can also induce sinkhole collapse.

3. Burden on Great Valley School District -The two elementary schools located closest to the proposed site, Charlestown and K.D. Markley, are already at capacity, as evidenced by the reassignment of Atwater’s elementary students to General Wayne Elementary School. A 47- home development would pose an additional challenge to the school district.

4. Loss of green space - The preservation of open space is vital to the health of our environment as well as the health of our residents. Green spaces filter pollutants from the air, reduce soil erosion and promote stormwater management in addition to providing habitats for wildlife. Open spaces are critical to the character of our community and to our residents’quality of life.