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Plans Presented For 2 Historic Sites

By Vanessa Herron, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted: December 13, 1987

A housing development and an office park, both on historic sites, have been proposed in West Whiteland.

During the Planning Commission's meeting Wednesday, Blair & Son of Bryn

Mawr submitted a sketch plan for a 170,000-square-foot industrial park on the site of the Thomas Marble Quarry, which was built in 1833 and supplied marble used in such buildings as Girard College in Philadelphia.

The commission made several suggestions for the industrial park proposed for the northeast section of Whitford and National Roads, which would include warehouse space and light-industrial firms such as a painting contractor.

Commission members said the green space was insufficent and suggested that the developer plant pine trees to separate the industrial park's driveway from houses to the north.

Commission Chairwoman Nancy Carville suggested a walkway that would pass by the "Blue Hole," which in the 1800s served as a quarry pit and from the turn of the century until about 10 years ago was used as a swimming hole.

The second plan presented was for Meadowcourt, a development of 11 condominiums proposed by the KAT Partnership. The development, set on 4.7 acres in the northwest section of Kirkland Avenue and Boot Road, centers on Meadowcourt, a house built in 1929 for Benjamin Rush 2d and designed by architect Edmund Gilchrist.

The commission suggested that the developer add parking and allow for a walkway.

Members said the developer must seek varianances from the Zoning Hearing Board on several issues. For example, the plan calls for pavement less than 15 feet from Meadowcourt, a historic building.

They added, however, that the plan was much improved over a version presented last month that called for 21 units.

"I think this is much closer to the ballpark of what seems appropriate,"

commission member James Knipe said.