Radnor Township Board of Commissioners Meeting Summary – March 9, 2026
Radnor Township Board of Commissioners Meeting Summary – March 9, 2026
The Radnor Township Board of Commissioners met on March 9, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Radnorshire Room. The meeting included presentations on a proposed gas-powered leaf blower phase-out and a transition to pay-by-plate parking, public comments, approval of a consent agenda, and several resolutions and reports. Key actions included approving a liquor license transfer, minor subdivision and land development plans, tabling an eminent domain ordinance, funding a trail access project, and adopting a fee reduction policy for the Responsible Contracting Ordinance. The meeting also received a biannual update from the Willows Park Preserve.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously:
- Approval of the February 9, 2026, Board of Commissioners meeting minutes.
- HARB 2026-02: Certificate of appropriateness for roof and window work at 223 Radnor Street Road, Wayne.
- HARB 2026-03: Certificate of appropriateness for porch enclosure, new deck, and storage shed at 224 S Aberdeen Ave, Wayne.
- Resolution 2026-25: Emergency pedestrian pole replacement at Radnor Chester & Conestoga Roads, $7,780.84 (insurance-reimbursed).
- Resolution 2026-36: Emergency traffic signal cleanup and temporary replacement at County Line & Glenbrook, $10,905.40 (insurance-reimbursed).
- Resolution 2026-28: Purchase of organic fertilizer and grass seed from Site One Landscape Supply, up to $11,000 (Parks Maintenance).
- Resolution 2026-29: Application to Delaware County for $27,264 in County Liquid Fuel Tax Funds.
- Resolution 2026-30: Replacement of 23 thermostats and locking guards at the Public Works facility, $9,900 (bond-funded).
- Resolution 2026-31: Replacement of 5 water source heat pumps at the Township Building, $139,900 (bond-funded).
- Resolution 2026-38: Workers’ compensation insurance for Radnor Fire Company, $104,763 (March 1, 2026 – March 1, 2027).
- Resolution 2026-40: Payment to Radnor Memorial Library for front door rod set replacement, $8,255.76 (General Fund).
- Resolution 2026-39: Emergency tree removal and cleanup from the February 22, 2026 winter storm, $12,250 (Tree Maintenance Account).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Diana Pope (116 Windermere Avenue) noted she would attend the April 7 and April 23 town halls on leaf blowers. She questioned the number of leaf blowers used simultaneously (observing up to six on one property) and reported seeing municipal workers using leaf blowers to push salt into the street after an ice storm, which she considered ineffective and noisy.
- Matt Marshall (228 Walnut Avenue, Wayne) argued that an accelerated phase-out of gas leaf blowers would be an economic burden on residents and contractors. He cited costs: a contractor needing 12 commercial electric blowers at ~$3,000 each, and higher per-job costs leading to increased fees for seniors on fixed incomes. He suggested a phase-out extending to December 2030 and recommended the township offer rebates or incentives similar to tree-planting programs. He also expressed concerns about battery disposal and groundwater contamination.
- Katrina Alberty (222 Orchard Way) spoke in favor of the Brookside Trail Access project, noting she has lived there 40 years and has grandchildren under six; crossing Conestoga Road is dangerous, and the new access would enable safe trail use.
Presentations
- EAC Presentation on Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Phase-Out: Dan Burnham, chair of the Environmental Advisory Council, presented a proposal to ban gas-powered leaf blowers (handheld and backpack) based on health and environmental concerns. Key statistics: two-stroke engines burn only 70% of their fuel-oil mixture, emitting fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at rates nearly four times that of a commercial lawnmower and 15 times that of a passenger car. In 2025, Delaware County ranked second highest in Pennsylvania for daily average PM2.5. Two-stroke engines produce 85% of fine particulates from all gas-powered lawn and garden equipment nationwide. Noise levels reach 100–110 decibels at the operator, equivalent to a jet takeoff, and low-frequency sound persists at 70 decibels up to 800 feet. The proposed ban follows Lower Merion Township’s November 2025 approval of a phased ban: first two years with seasonal restrictions, third year with nine-month ban, then a year-round total ban after three years. Alternatives include electric blowers, raking, and mulching. Two town halls were announced for April 7 and April 23, 2026, to gather input from homeowners and businesses.
- Parking Presentation: Michael Marate, Supervisor of Parking, reported on the transition from pay-by-space to pay-by-plate parking. The change is mandated by the vendor ending pay-by-space support within 12 months. The township will use existing kiosks with a software overlay (no capital cost to the township). The mobile app will switch to zone-based payment. The rollout: announcement March 2; ParkMobile changeover on March 30; kiosk updates the week of March 30; and community engagement from April 13–24. The free 10-minute grace period will remain.
Discussion Items
- Free Hugs LLC Liquor License Transfer (Resolution 2026-37): Lawrence Kagan and his partner Charles McFeely seek to open a 3,000-square-foot restaurant (85 seats) at 166 E. Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, with a wood-fired grill concept (fine dining). Alcohol sales would be 25–30% of total sales, food-focused. No outdoor seating, no live music, no dancing. The restaurant would serve dinner Tuesday–Sunday, 5:30–10 PM (9 PM on weekdays). Parking is available on Luella and in the lot. Commissioners noted proximity to schools and churches but confirmed the Pennsylvania Liquor Code requires separate review. The resolution passed.
- Minor Subdivision Plan (Resolution 2026-33): Lot line change transferring 10,048 sq ft from 270 Hothorpe Lane to 274 Hothorpe Lane, and 53,512 sq ft from 772 Newtown Road to 274 Hothorpe Lane. No development proposed; no waivers or zoning relief requested. Passed.
- Minor Land Development Plan (Resolution 2026-34): At 126 Garrett Avenue, retention of existing office and apartment, removal of two rear structures, and construction of a 1,200 sq ft accessory building for a rowing facility (ergs and other equipment). Zoning board limited patrons to eight at a time, hours after school (likely until 6–8 PM). Waivers requested for stormwater management (under 500 sq ft) and curbing (parking backstops installed). Neighbors consulted, no opposition. Passed.
- Valley Forge Military Academy Eminent Domain (Ordinance 2026-09): Staff provided background on land transactions by the Valley Forge Military Academy Foundation since 2009, including recent sales totaling over $53 million. An ordinance to authorize condemnation of 17 acres was tabled to March 23, 2026, after the foundation expressed willingness to grant a five-year right of first refusal on the entire remaining 34 acres. The township continues negotiations to acquire a portion for open space and a replacement recreational facility, while the foundation plans to continue operating its two-year college.
- Brookside Trail Access Project (Resolution 2026-35): Commissioner Kathy Agnew presented a $250,000 project to create a trail entrance off Brookside Avenue near Conestoga Road, using a donated easement from the Bachman family (503 Conestoga Road). The site is currently dangerous to cross; the new access will connect neighborhoods (Orchard Way, etc.) to the trail without crossing Conestoga. The funds were donated by Penn Medicine, transferred from escrow to the Capital Improvement Fund. Passed with appreciation.
- Responsible Contracting Ordinance Fee Reduction Policy (Resolution 2026-42): Establishes administrative guidelines for fee discounts or waivers under Chapter 145, Section 14 of the township code, as directed when Ordinance 2026-02 was adopted. Passed.
- Willows Park Preserve Biannual Report: Mary Coe (President) and Debbie McCade (Treasurer) presented updates. The mansion was used 140 times in 2025 (38 weddings, over 100 other events). Total contributions from the Willows Park Preserve toward physical restoration exceed $1.8 million. New partnership with Wayne Senior Center for lunch preparation. 2025 income: $558,000 (up from $316,000 in 2023), with 93% of program revenue from private events. Cash on hand $350,000 as of February 2026. Improvements include boiler replacement, bedroom/bathroom revitalization, and new driveway lighting. A Keystone Communities grant will fund air conditioning replacement. The board noted successful free events (Holiday Open House, Love and Chocolate) and expressed pride in community partnerships.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (all items A–L).
- Resolution 2026-37 (Free Hugs Liquor License Transfer): Passed.
- Resolution 2026-33 (Minor Subdivision): Passed.
- Resolution 2026-34 (Minor Land Development): Passed.
- Ordinance 2026-09 (Eminent Domain – Valley Forge): Tabled to March 23, 2026, for further negotiations and a proposed right-of-first-refusal agreement.
- Resolution 2026-35 (Brookside Trail Access): Passed, authorizing $250,000 transfer from Penn Medicine escrow to Capital Improvement Fund.
- Resolution 2026-42 (RCO Fee Reduction Policy): Passed.
- Town Halls on Leaf Blowers: Scheduled for April 7 (homeowners first) and April 23 (businesses first), 2026.
- Parking Transition: ParkMobile changeover March 30; kiosk updates week of March 30; community engagement April 13–24.
Meeting Transcript
March 9th, 2026 at 645 p.m. Would everybody please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you everybody for coming. We're going to start off with a couple presentations. The first ones from the EAC presentation pros and cons of gas powered leaf blowers phase out. Hello, everyone. This is Dan Burnham. I'm chair of the Environmental Advisory Council. I'd like to thank the medical liaison or medical liaison, our board liaison, Kathy Agnew, and the Board of Commissioners for inviting me to give this proposal. What I am going to be proposing is really not unique to this township. There has been a long standing decades long concern about the extreme air pollution and noise caused by gasoline powered leaf blowers. And this concern has resulted in restrictions and total bans on the use of these machines across the country in the past several years. Notable examples are in New Jersey, which has a similar natural environment and climate as us, such as Princeton, Maplewood, Millburn, and Montclair, and I'm pleased to announce Lower Marion Township in our state is the first in Pennsylvania to pass a phased-in ban on gasoline leaf blowers. So what is the premise of our proposal? This is stemming from the Radner 2035 goals that were set out in the recently approved Radner Township Comprehensive Plan. Amongst these goals is the statement the township will work to reduce pollutants, including but not limited to air, water, sound, and light pollution, as one of the five many community driven goals that should be the guide to the township's policy decisions. So based on this, based on this premise, the EAC proposes that gasoline-powered leaf blowers be banned in the township because the air pollution and noise they generate are a particularly serious threat to the health and peace of our community and the environment. So what am I talking about? I'm talking about handheld gas blowers and backpack leaf blowers. But these machines can generate up to 200 miles per hour of wind coming out its nozzle. That's akin to an EF5 tornado. So how are they being used in our township? Well, as you may well know, the heaviest use of gas leaf blowers is during the spring and fall for collecting leaves and debris. Excuse me. Yes. The lightest use is in the summer and the winter for clearing lawn clippings and light debris from paved surfaces and in the winter clear light snow from walkways and even straight lights. In the fall, actually, you can hear more than one gas leaf blower on a property working to gather leaves. So the noise is doubled in that case. So why ban them? Well, these are all reasons are from matter of health. First of all, air pollution. Gas leaf blowers pose a disproportionately greater health risk due to the fact that they burn only 70% of the gas oil mixture. The rest is emitted as an exhaust containing high concentration of particulate matter, volatile organic chemicals, and nitrogen oxides. The particular matter is divided into those that are smaller than two and a half microns in size, that's fine particulates, and those bigger than 10 microns. The smaller end of this range, you cannot even see the particulate matter. So you may be well breathing fine particulate matter now, and in fact, I'll show you data that we are at an unhealthy concentration. The amount of these pollutants is almost four times that emitted by a commercial lawnmower during an hour period of work, and 15 times that of a passenger car. We can thank the catalytic converters largely for the reason that they burn so clean. The second reason is the high decibel noise. Again, the high rotational speed that generates this high volume of airflow causes high high decibel noise, but also a low, excuse me, a high decibel noise and there is insufficient muffling of it. The reason is these gas blowers have to have free flow of fuel air mixture into the combustion chamber and then exiting during its one cycle, a two-cycle series. Thus the result is these machines are two to four fold louder than a riding gas mower. I'll go into more detail on this in a minute. On contrary, electric powered leaf blowers for those who wish to blow material are cleaner because they run on electricity and they're quieter. They don't rotate quite at the high rate of speed, and they don't have a gas engine with combustion. So fine particulate matter is a leading health risk factor. This is recognized by a study done in 2021 called the Global Burden of Disease Project. Fine particulate matter, because it is so small, penetrates deep into the lungs and delivers toxic materials such as heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons into the bloodstream. The result is short-term exposure can lead to acute and chronic bronchitis, asthma attacks, hospital admissions in infants and children, and in older adults with pre-existing heart or lung disease. Thus, there are susceptible members of our community who are at risk of serious health consequences of these machines.
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