OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Radnor Township Shade Tree Commission Meeting - May 27, 2026

Board of Commissioners & Boards — Wednesday, May 27, 2026
BodyRadnor Township, Pennsylvania
SessionBoard of Commissioners & Boards
DateWednesday, May 27, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:28:32

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

You would stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and join us.

0:17

All right, thank you.

0:19

First up, we have the meeting minutes.

0:21

Um, I looked through them, I think it looked pretty good.

0:24

Anybody have any questions or comments?

0:27

So I'll make a motion to approve.

0:28

Do I have a second?

0:29

Second.

0:30

All in favor.

0:31

All right, thank you.

0:34

Uh consent agenda, nothing on for this month.

0:39

All right, so we're gonna start with uh new grading permits.

0:41

First up, we have uh Lancaster Avenue, Villanova University.

0:45

And just so everybody knows the overhead monitor is not working this evening.

0:50

Um Ian has everything queued up on the laptop now.

0:56

If you want to put your plans out for your own reference, um, but as long as we have all the plans and there's nothing new, he should be able to get everything up on the screen for you.

1:08

Okay, that makes sense.

1:11

Sort of sort of so if you have any questions, Ian can scroll with you, or if you know how to use that.

1:19

Uh let's see here.

1:24

Okay, good.

1:25

All right.

1:25

All right, so if you could just introduce yourself, uh tell us about the project.

1:30

Mike Urban with uh Eustace Engineering.

1:33

Uh we are the uh civil engineers and landscape architects for Villanova University's tennis complex uh rehabilitation project.

1:43

There's a button there for the microphone.

1:55

Hello.

1:55

Oh, there we go.

1:57

No, you're welcome.

1:59

Is that better?

2:00

Okay, all right.

2:01

Sorry, but uh yeah.

2:04

So the uh the next uh couple slides we're gonna show you uh are going to show you what we are planning for the project.

2:12

Um let's see here.

2:18

Okay, so uh the area the the court area in the blue.

2:22

Uh this is the proposed conditions.

2:25

Uh the wall that's existing in the back here is going to be removed, and we are putting a new uh concrete retaining wall, and that wall will be set about a foot and a half uh beyond the base of the existing wall.

2:44

So the court itself from here to here is only extending about a foot and a half further.

2:51

Uh there's a large wall in the back, it's a block wall has a large uh batter to it.

2:57

So the wall that we're putting back up is a straight-faced wall, so we're gaining a lot of uh of uh distance because of that.

3:05

And what that's allowing us to do is provide a uh pedestrian area along this face of the uh the wall here so that they get a regulation size court, uh, and then an area where pedestrians can walk so that they don't have to walk through uh the the court areas while they're either practicing or playing.

3:28

So with that said, uh the orange line that you see here is the actual limit of disturbance for the project, which is approximately 22,000 square feet.

3:42

Uh in the graphics for the in red that with sort of tree symbols and the circles with numbers, those are the actual trees that uh we surveyed.

3:55

Uh so all the trees that you see here numbered, we provided a chart.

3:59

We have 41 uh total trees that we were able to uh locate that are six-inch dbh or greater out of those trees, uh so we provided the uh the the species and the uh diameter size of those trees, the ones that you see that are in uh with a yellow uh circle around those, uh graphic around those, those are the trees that will actually uh receive the uh township's uh standard chain link fence uh tree protection.

4:38

And those trees that are in yellow that are getting the tree protection fence are all beyond or all within that 25 foot of that uh limit of disturbance line.

4:50

So anything beyond uh that 25 foot, we are not providing any um uh tree protection.

5:00

Uh we are removing no trees.

5:01

Uh every tree that you see here is going to be saved.

5:06

And then I'll go to the next slide here, and this slide here is just more uh help uh with a little uh better graphic presentation as far as you can see how very little we are disturbing behind the wall.

5:20

So again, this new wall, which is one and a half feet closer to Harding's run uh than the previous wall.

5:28

Uh the area that's shaded in green.

5:31

Uh this is the actual area that's going to be graded behind the wall.

5:36

And then you can see here's our limit of disturbance line right here, and you can see any tree that is in red that is six inch d bh or greater.

5:44

Uh those will we don't have the graphic on here, but those will all be protected per the previous plan.

5:50

But this just went this was just to give you an idea to show you how very little disturbance and grading we are doing behind uh behind a new wall.

6:00

Is there any elevation change behind the wall?

6:03

Or are you keeping it?

6:04

There is.

6:05

Uh so it just safe uh this corner, I think this is the highest corner.

6:08

There's like a 13 foot drop there.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████████████████████████35%
Parks and Recreation██████████████████████████████30%
Public Engagement██████████████████18%
Environmental Protection███████7%
Procedural█████5%
Technology and Innovation██2%
Public Safety██2%
Signage Regulation█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Radnor Township Shade Tree Commission Meeting - May 27, 2026

The Radnor Township Shade Tree Commission met on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Radnorshire Room. The board reviewed eight grading permits, discussed consolidating the commission's website under the township site, heard public comments about hazardous trees on private property, and received updates on grants and awards. Several permits were approved with conditions regarding tree protection and replacement.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the April 22, 2026 meeting minutes (motion, second, all in favor).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Ron McGilvery (Bellevue Avenue resident): Expressed concern about two hazardous trees on AT&T's property on Bellevue Avenue, which he believes pose a danger to pedestrians using the nearby township parking lot. He requested the township be more assertive in ensuring hazardous trees are removed in a timely manner and urged the commission to encourage AT&T to replant replacement trees on site rather than pay a fee in lieu. He also sought recommendations for trees along Bellevue Avenue. In discussion, commission members clarified that the trees are on private property and outside the right-of-way, limiting the township's jurisdiction, but agreed to refer the matter to the township arborist for a hazard determination and to contact AT&T.

Discussion Items

Grading Permits (New Applications)

  • 217152 – Villanova University Tennis Complex (800 Lancaster Ave): Applicant presented plans for court rehabilitation with no tree removal. The commission approved the permit with a recommendation to remove invasive ailanthus trees during construction. (Motion, second, all in favor)
  • 217193 – 257 Beechwood Drive (Garage addition and grading): Proposed removal of one multi-stem maple (<6" DBH). Applicant agreed to add tree protection fencing for an adjacent tree. Approved. (Motion, second, all in favor)
  • 217219 – 325 Durham Drive (Pool and patio): No trees to be removed. The commission approved contingent on adding tree protection fencing around two walnut trees in front and two beech trees along the driveway. (Motion, second, all in favor)
  • 217222 – 205 S Spring Mill Lot 2 (New family dwelling): No additional tree removals beyond those approved in the prior subdivision. Fee-in-lieu for 27 replacement trees already paid. Approved. (Motion, second, all in favor)
  • 217266 – 875 Lesley Road (Addition, pool, driveway expansion): No trees to be removed. Approved. (Motion, second, all in favor)
  • 217324 – 1 Ivy Lane (New pool and patio): Applicant confirmed no trees over 6" DBH on site except four street trees. The commission approved contingent on updating the plan to include the two street trees on Ivy Lane if they are 6" or larger, and to specify cubic yards of soil to be removed. (Motion, second, all in favor)
  • 217420 – 308 Midland Avenue (Garage and pool): Proposed tree protection fencing along property lines and a rain garden. Approved. (Motion, second, all in favor)
  • 217384 – 1075 Eagle Road – Oak Hill (Amended land development): This continuing care facility project required removal of 35 additional trees, with 83 replacement trees proposed (40 canopy, 43 forestry-grade whips). The commission approved contingent on reducing the number of whips from 43 to 23 and adding 20 two-inch caliper trees (canopy or understory) elsewhere on the property. Applicant agreed to amend the plan. (Motion, second, all in favor)

Old Business: Improved Shade Tree Commission Website

  • The commission discussed consolidating the existing standalone site (RadnorTrees.com) into the township's website to create a single, robust resource. Members agreed that a unified site under township control would improve consistency and timely updates. Public Works Director Ricky offered to coordinate a meeting with Communications Director Molly and IT to discuss feasibility. (No formal vote; action item to set up meeting)
  • Grant Updates (Frank): Announced receipt of a $10,000 grant from PHS for riparian restoration at The Willows (invasive removal and planting) and a $4,000 grant from Giant Foods to fund bare-root trees for the Miyawaki Forest reforestation. Also noted the commission applied for the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence; results expected in June.

Hazardous Trees

  • Removed by residents: 4 Northwoods, 23 Highview Dr, 324 Orchard Way, 410 Radnor Street Rd, 682 Conestoga Rd, Villanova University.
  • Removed by Radnor Township: 115 Ashwood (36" Pin Oak), 255 Abrahams Ln (2" Cherry), Dittmar Park (32" Ash, 42" Poplar), Sawmill Park (5 Ash 18"-25"). No issues raised.

Key Outcomes

  • The commission approved eight grading permits with specific conditions as noted above.
  • Directed staff to arrange a meeting with township communications and IT to discuss website consolidation.
  • Agreed to refer the Bellevue Avenue hazardous tree concern to the township arborist for assessment and to contact AT&T regarding removal and replacement obligations under the Wayne overlay district.
  • Noted the progress on grants and the pending award announcement.

Meeting Transcript

You would stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and join us. All right, thank you. First up, we have the meeting minutes. Um, I looked through them, I think it looked pretty good. Anybody have any questions or comments? So I'll make a motion to approve. Do I have a second? Second. All in favor. All right, thank you. Uh consent agenda, nothing on for this month. All right, so we're gonna start with uh new grading permits. First up, we have uh Lancaster Avenue, Villanova University. And just so everybody knows the overhead monitor is not working this evening. Um Ian has everything queued up on the laptop now. If you want to put your plans out for your own reference, um, but as long as we have all the plans and there's nothing new, he should be able to get everything up on the screen for you. Okay, that makes sense. Sort of sort of so if you have any questions, Ian can scroll with you, or if you know how to use that. Uh let's see here. Okay, good. All right. All right, so if you could just introduce yourself, uh tell us about the project. Mike Urban with uh Eustace Engineering. Uh we are the uh civil engineers and landscape architects for Villanova University's tennis complex uh rehabilitation project. There's a button there for the microphone. Hello. Oh, there we go. No, you're welcome. Is that better? Okay, all right. Sorry, but uh yeah. So the uh the next uh couple slides we're gonna show you uh are going to show you what we are planning for the project. Um let's see here. Okay, so uh the area the the court area in the blue. Uh this is the proposed conditions. Uh the wall that's existing in the back here is going to be removed, and we are putting a new uh concrete retaining wall, and that wall will be set about a foot and a half uh beyond the base of the existing wall. So the court itself from here to here is only extending about a foot and a half further. Uh there's a large wall in the back, it's a block wall has a large uh batter to it. So the wall that we're putting back up is a straight-faced wall, so we're gaining a lot of uh of uh distance because of that. And what that's allowing us to do is provide a uh pedestrian area along this face of the uh the wall here so that they get a regulation size court, uh, and then an area where pedestrians can walk so that they don't have to walk through uh the the court areas while they're either practicing or playing. So with that said, uh the orange line that you see here is the actual limit of disturbance for the project, which is approximately 22,000 square feet. Uh in the graphics for the in red that with sort of tree symbols and the circles with numbers, those are the actual trees that uh we surveyed. Uh so all the trees that you see here numbered, we provided a chart. We have 41 uh total trees that we were able to uh locate that are six-inch dbh or greater out of those trees, uh so we provided the uh the the species and the uh diameter size of those trees, the ones that you see that are in uh with a yellow uh circle around those, uh graphic around those, those are the trees that will actually uh receive the uh township's uh standard chain link fence uh tree protection. And those trees that are in yellow that are getting the tree protection fence are all beyond or all within that 25 foot of that uh limit of disturbance line. So anything beyond uh that 25 foot, we are not providing any um uh tree protection. Uh we are removing no trees. Uh every tree that you see here is going to be saved. And then I'll go to the next slide here, and this slide here is just more uh help uh with a little uh better graphic presentation as far as you can see how very little we are disturbing behind the wall. So again, this new wall, which is one and a half feet closer to Harding's run uh than the previous wall.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com