We can do this!

Okay, so here’s an update on the effort to halt the Mill Run subdivision.

Up to this point we have been hearing the standard boilerplate from the developer, the Skippack Planning Commission, and the Skippack Board of Supervisors: “A property owner has a right to do with his or her property as he or she wishes. If you wanted to develop your property, you would have the right to do so.” This is only half true in that yes, a property owner does have the right to do with their property as they wish. What is left out is the implied caveat “Unless those activities infringe on another property owner’s right to enjoy their property.” This is exactly what is being proposed:

• Increased traffic
• Further increasing the overcrowding already present at Skippack Elementary (currently at a 16:1 student/teacher ratio, higher than the state average of 14:1).
• Environmental damage from increased storm runoff.
• Increased light pollution.
• Potential groundwater contamination.

Two weeks ago I reached out to pretty much every media outlet I could find with a 50 mile radius. As a result of this, the Lansdale Reporter will be sending a reporter to cover the Board of Supervisors meeting this Wednesday, and Channel 6 is considering it. In addition, in response to an op-ed penned by State Representative Joe Webster concerning the increased risk of stormwater contamination, an invitation has been extended to him to make an appearance at the meeting and to address to Board if he so chooses.

In the past we have had some residents show up and voice their opinions – a few in favor of the development, to be sure, but the vast majority opposed. However, the sheer numbers have not quite been enough to make a real impression. Now that we will have local media there, though, we need everybody – every-goldurned-body – to attend and to make their voices heard. The idea is to make it absolutely, 100% crystal clear to the Board of Supervisors that THIS IS NOT WANTED, and by representing the developer’s interest ahead of residents’ the Board is not doing their job – representing US.

We are ramping up the pressure, folks. Up to this point we have been trying to cooperate with the developer, the Planning Commission, and the Board of Supervisors to find a compromise solution that will work for all parties. The problem is, the developer, the Board, and the Commission are not interested in compromise; their goal is to get this thing done so the developer can line his pockets … at our expense. As a result, we will start using more aggressive tactics, primarily centered around exposing these folks to extremely public scrutiny.

Please join us at the Board of Supervisors meeting this Wednesday, April 13 at 7:30 PM at the Skippack Township Municipal Building at 4089 Heckler Rd., next door to Skippack Elementary. Tell the Board you don’t want this development to go through, and that you are joining the effort to halt this egregious encroachment on our semi-rural lifestyle in the Township.

#StopMillRun