OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Radnor Township Shade Tree Commission Meeting – December 2, 2025

Board of Commissioners & Boards — Tuesday, December 2, 2025
BodyRadnor Township, Pennsylvania
SessionBoard of Commissioners & Boards
DateTuesday, December 2, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:06:58

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

Pledge allegiance to the flag.

0:14

Okay, thank you.

0:17

Okay, before we start tonight, just wanted to uh say thank you to Seth.

0:21

It's gonna be his last evening here, and we all appreciate all you've done for us, Seth, uh, for the Rinder Township for the shade tree and all the work you put into it.

0:32

I had like a really long speech and I forgot everything I was gonna say.

0:35

So we appreciate you.

0:36

Thank you very much for everything you've done.

0:38

No worries, and thank you guys.

0:43

And I do just want to say uh it's been five years of um great productivity, lots of trees in the grounds, um, and a lot of great communal uh efforts uh that we've done.

0:57

Just want to thank this board, want to thank um the township, Ricky and John.

1:04

Uh appreciate you guys, and I know you guys will uh continue the the great success of uh growing our canopy, protecting our canopy, and uh saving those trees.

1:15

Thanks, guys.

1:16

Thanks in the whole here want to buy that agreement.

1:26

They're planting.

1:30

All right, uh first on the agenda is um the meeting minutes.

1:34

Does anybody have any questions?

1:35

Anything I looked over looks good to me.

1:37

Anybody comments?

1:39

Nothing.

1:40

Okay, I'll make a motion to approve.

1:42

Do I have a second?

1:43

Second, all in favor, all in favor.

1:46

One abstention.

1:48

MJ.

1:49

Thank you.

1:50

Uh number four, consent agenda.

1:52

We have nothing on consent today, so it brings us the new grading permits.

1:56

And first up, we have uh one Aberdeen.

1:58

Mr.

1:59

Sullivan, welcome.

2:00

If you could just Spellman, sorry, sorry.

2:02

It's been a while since I've been here, so if you could just tell us about the project.

2:07

Excuse me.

2:08

Uh Patrick Spellman, site engineering concepts.

2:11

Uh the owners uh of both properties are are here with me.

2:15

Um this is a lot uh I'm sorry, wrong that's a different project I started talking about.

2:21

This is one Aberdeen Terrace.

2:24

Um it's at it's the it's the house at the corner of Aberdeen Terrace and North uh Aberdeen Avenue.

2:33

Uh it's up on the hill a little bit, about eight feet up off the corner as you go around the corner.

2:38

Uh the it was two parcels.

2:42

We had it consolidated to make it uh one parcel to get into uh more compliance with zoning.

2:50

Um so what the and this is the existing house.

2:54

Uh they uh the the owners Rockwell uh custom homes uh are proposing to uh remove the existing house um and the and the improvements uh and build and uh build a new house on the property.

3:15

Um that will require the removal of uh one tree which is identified as a 10-inch maple uh on the property.

3:23

Um here is the infiltration bed that's within the drip line of this uh 54-inch maple.

3:32

Uh I realized looking at this plan that the label isn't there, it's just off the viewport right there.

3:38

But uh that is uh the 54-inch Mabel.

3:42

Um so we have a line of tree protection running along here, uh, and then another line along the limit of disturbance along here where there's a line of our providing.

3:55

Uh they were interested in trying to maintain this this the trees along this property line as much as they could.

4:02

I I just couldn't figure out how to save that 10-inch maple.

4:06

Um the project from Aberdeen Terrace.

4:13

Um I think that's it in a nutshell.

4:16

All right.

4:17

Um I kind of on a different subject, but the uh wall out front.

4:23

Are you guys keeping that at the street right above the curb?

4:27

Yes, because you're keep that's all seen.

4:29

So yeah, uh along here, the the the wall and the uh the sidewalk yeah, that's all stay the same from basically where the existing driveway is on would wind up getting a new driveway and walkway in there, but all that would stay the same.

4:44

Gotcha.

4:46

Also, can we just I just want to confirm that you are removing one tree, even though the application said zero, but it is one, just one, okay.

4:53

And I apologize if it's just a 10-inch maple.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Tree Management█████████████████████████████████████████████50%
Tree Planting Regulations██████████████████████24%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████11%
Personnel Matters██████7%
Procedural██2%
Fundraising██2%
Budget Equity Analysis██2%
Grant Funding█1%
Master Planning█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Radnor Township Shade Tree Commission Meeting – December 2, 2025

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM in the Radnorshire Room. Commissioners thanked outgoing member Seth for his five years of service. The minutes from November 11, 2025, were approved with one abstention (MJ). The consent agenda had no items.

Consent Calendar

  • None.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were offered during the designated period.

Discussion Items

New Grading Permits

  • 1 Aberdeen Terrace: Applicant Patrick Spellman (Site Engineering Concepts) described removal of an existing house and construction of a new dwelling. One 10-inch maple tree will be removed. Despite the application stating zero trees, the commission confirmed one removal. The plan includes tree protection for a 54-inch maple. Motion to approve carried.
  • 306 Chamounix Road: Applicant Matthew Morgan (Top Notch General Contracting) sought a permit for a pool and garage. No shade trees are to be removed. The commission noted that the tree protection fence needed to be extended past the drip line of a large tree in the back corner. Approval was contingent on that adjustment.
  • 610 King of Prussia Road – Founders Hall Bridge and Widener Campus Demo: Peter Caconis (Site Engineering Concepts) presented for Villanova University. The project removes a bridge, excess paving, and a driveway, replacing them with ADA-compliant walkways, reducing impervious surface by 4,000 sq ft. No trees are to be removed. Tree protection fencing is shown. Approved.
  • 201 S Spring Mill Road: This grading permit for lot one of a subdivision (now address 207 S Spring Mill) proposes removal of eight trees, part of a previously approved 20-tree removal plan. Commissioners expressed confusion about the total number of trees removed historically and whether the 50% removal threshold (per 2024 ordinance) was exceeded. Applicant agreed to provide a summary of all removals. Approval conditional on that summary showing compliance.
  • 610 King of Prussia Road – Widener Entrance: Ken Hoffman (Pannoni Landscape Architect) described removal of an existing ramp and construction of an ADA-compliant ramp. One 20-inch tree will be removed, with two honey locusts and one magnolia planted as replacement. Approved.
  • 11 Lockwood Lane: Applicant (Mr. Vaughn) explained this is an administrative name change of builder; no changes to tree removal. Approved.
  • 12 Lockwood Lane: No trees to be removed; dirt already moved. Existing trees are protected by a fence. Approved.
  • 7 Lockwood Lane: No trees to be removed; lot was previously cleared. Approved.
  • 27 Fariston Road: Homeowner Kevin Leonard described a backyard renovation (plunge pool and patio). No trees to be removed. Approved.
  • 216-220 Radnor Chester Road: Lot line change to formalize a barn transfer. No disturbance proposed. Approved.
  • 126 Garrett Avenue: Kevin Leslie (son of owner John Leslie) presented a land development to replace two sheds with a 1,200 sq ft garage for a rowing consulting business. No trees to be removed. Approved.
  • 799 Godfrey Road: No applicant present. The commission informally denied the item (no motion).
  • 270 S Bryn Mawr Avenue – Senior Living Facility: Michael Mayer (Westrum Development) and Natalie Rosado (Bowler) presented a previously approved project. No changes to tree removal. The applicant agreed to diversify ornamental tree species (currently 27 of one species) to meet the 10% single-species limit. Approved.

Tree Removal Request – AT&T Building (60 West Avenue)

  • The applicant requested removal of two trees in the Wayne Overlay District. No representative was present, and the item was tabled to the next meeting.

Old Business

  • Fall Tree Planting Status (Frank): 34 volunteers (including Young Men’s Service League) planted trees. Tree Authority planted 37 right-of-way trees. Three additional tulip poplars from Radnor Conservancy were placed at The Willows. James Gibbons Landscaping planted 16 trees in the Wayne Business District and three at Aberdeen Terrace. Deer damage affected 21 trees (four destroyed to the crown). Deer protection purchased through PHS will be installed. Data submission to PHS due by December 15.
  • Governor’s Award: The commission won the award in 2024. The new application, due January 16, 2026, will feature the Miyawaki Forest project (three acres, 202 trees planted so far, about half completed). Frank will lead with help from Melissa Kahn and others.
  • Grant Applications: A $10,000 PHS grant opportunity for a riparian restoration project along Abraham’s Run at The Willows was identified. The grant requires 25% match (volunteer hours eligible). Application due end of December. Frank and Melissa will prepare it.
  • Wayne Business District – Tree Planting Update: 13 dead trees were removed and replaced. Three more trees on Aberdeen Terrace are slated for removal in January, with replacement next spring.
  • Community Planting Project – S. Ithan/Wyldhaven: Philip (resident) is expected to start planting this weekend. The commission noted the project involves 15–20 trees and shrubs and is clear of any sewer outflow issues.
  • Wayne Master Plan: No new developments regarding trees.

New Business

  • None.

Hazardous Trees

  • Removed by Residents: 704 Woodcrest Crescent – approved.
  • Removed by Radnor Township: S. Ithan (fallen ash), 54 Oakford Rd (two ash trees), Radnor Crossing @ Iven Ave (24-inch oak), West Ave Park Lot (24-inch Norway maple, 10-inch locust).

Public Participation

  • Commissioners discussed personnel transitions: Seth is leaving, creating a vacancy. Matt may be appointed as planning commission liaison, which would fill one of three open positions (including Jen Centauri’s). Roles and responsibilities were discussed; Kristen and James will take on some tasks. Seth will transfer website and social media access. A casual gathering was proposed for December 15 to celebrate Seth’s service and welcome new members.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved (all with motions and seconds): 1 Aberdeen Terrace, 306 Chamounix Road (contingent on tree fence adjustment), 610 King of Prussia (Founders Hall), 201 S Spring Mill (conditional on tree removal summary), 610 King of Prussia (Widener Entrance), 11 Lockwood, 12 Lockwood, 7 Lockwood, 27 Fariston Road, 216-220 Radnor Chester Road, 126 Garrett Avenue, 270 S Bryn Mawr Avenue (with species diversity note).
  • Tabled: AT&T Building tree removal request.
  • No action: 799 Godfrey Road (no applicant).
  • Directives: Frank to lead Governor’s Award application; Frank and Melissa to prepare PHS grant application; Kristen and James to review consent agenda items in advance; Seth to transfer digital assets and contacts.
  • Next steps: The next meeting will address deer fencing for the Miyawaki Forest, finalize fall planting data, and continue recruitment for commission vacancies.

Meeting Transcript

Pledge allegiance to the flag. Okay, thank you. Okay, before we start tonight, just wanted to uh say thank you to Seth. It's gonna be his last evening here, and we all appreciate all you've done for us, Seth, uh, for the Rinder Township for the shade tree and all the work you put into it. I had like a really long speech and I forgot everything I was gonna say. So we appreciate you. Thank you very much for everything you've done. No worries, and thank you guys. And I do just want to say uh it's been five years of um great productivity, lots of trees in the grounds, um, and a lot of great communal uh efforts uh that we've done. Just want to thank this board, want to thank um the township, Ricky and John. Uh appreciate you guys, and I know you guys will uh continue the the great success of uh growing our canopy, protecting our canopy, and uh saving those trees. Thanks, guys. Thanks in the whole here want to buy that agreement. They're planting. All right, uh first on the agenda is um the meeting minutes. Does anybody have any questions? Anything I looked over looks good to me. Anybody comments? Nothing. Okay, I'll make a motion to approve. Do I have a second? Second, all in favor, all in favor. One abstention. MJ. Thank you. Uh number four, consent agenda. We have nothing on consent today, so it brings us the new grading permits. And first up, we have uh one Aberdeen. Mr. Sullivan, welcome. If you could just Spellman, sorry, sorry. It's been a while since I've been here, so if you could just tell us about the project. Excuse me. Uh Patrick Spellman, site engineering concepts. Uh the owners uh of both properties are are here with me. Um this is a lot uh I'm sorry, wrong that's a different project I started talking about. This is one Aberdeen Terrace. Um it's at it's the it's the house at the corner of Aberdeen Terrace and North uh Aberdeen Avenue. Uh it's up on the hill a little bit, about eight feet up off the corner as you go around the corner. Uh the it was two parcels. We had it consolidated to make it uh one parcel to get into uh more compliance with zoning. Um so what the and this is the existing house. Uh they uh the the owners Rockwell uh custom homes uh are proposing to uh remove the existing house um and the and the improvements uh and build and uh build a new house on the property. Um that will require the removal of uh one tree which is identified as a 10-inch maple uh on the property. Um here is the infiltration bed that's within the drip line of this uh 54-inch maple. Uh I realized looking at this plan that the label isn't there, it's just off the viewport right there. But uh that is uh the 54-inch Mabel. Um so we have a line of tree protection running along here, uh, and then another line along the limit of disturbance along here where there's a line of our providing. Uh they were interested in trying to maintain this this the trees along this property line as much as they could. I I just couldn't figure out how to save that 10-inch maple.

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