Radnor Township Shade Tree Commission Meeting - June 24, 2026

The Radnor Township Shade Tree Commission met at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in the Radnorshire Room. The commission approved the prior meeting minutes and six grading permits with conditions, received a donation from Shreiner Tree Care, tabled a clearing permit, and deferred decisions on the Willows riparian repair project and a proposed ordinance change.

Presentations

• Ryan Day of Shreiner Tree Care reported that at the Wayne Music Festival the company handed out 'I Love Trees'/'Think Trees' T-shirts in exchange for donations. Community donations totaled $751, and Shreiner Tree Care matched that amount, bringing the total to $1,502. The donation was presented to the Shade Tree Commission to support tree planting in the township.

Meeting Minutes Approval

• The minutes of the May 27, 2026 meeting were reviewed; a motion to approve was seconded and passed unanimously.

New Grading Permits

• 536 Atterbury Lane - Addition, Patio and Walk: The applicant stated 750 cubic yards of dirt will remain on site. Although the application listed two trees for removal, the applicant said that was an error; only one 8-inch flowering dogwood, nearing end of life, will be removed. Trees near the driveway and pond will be protected. Approved unanimously.
• 401 Audubon Avenue - Addition, Pool, Patio and Walk: The applicant, Chris Doherty, said 90 cubic yards of dirt will remain on site. He corrected the application to show four trees being removed (two 6-inch Japanese maples, one 16-inch Japanese maple, and one 6-inch hickory) instead of one. The plan includes tree protection, and the applicant agreed to add extra protection around a 12-inch Japanese maple. No replacement planting was currently planned. Approved unanimously, contingent on the application being corrected to show four tree removals.
• 913 Drexel Lane - Pool: Michael Nelio of Anthony & Sylvan Pools described a 600-square-foot pool with about 1,300 square feet of pervious and regular pavers; 9.2 cubic yards of dirt will remain on site and zero trees will be removed. Tree protection fencing will be installed near the closest tree, and construction access will use the driveway. Approved unanimously.
• 15 Lockwood Lane - New Family Dwelling: The applicant, Chip Vaughn of Vaughn Building Company, said 260 cubic yards of dirt will remain on site and three trees will be removed, including two heritage trees. The removals include a 42-inch maple and a 42-inch black cherry; one was described as hazardous and the other as structurally compromised or too close to the building. Seven replacement trees are required, including four large canopy trees. Public commenter King Patel, a neighbor and HOA vice president, expressed community concern about the cumulative number of trees removed and asked for an updated tree-planting list. The applicant agreed to share landscape plans as work proceeds. Approved unanimously, contingent on adding a plant list showing the seven replacement trees (four large canopy).
• 4 Lockwood Lane - New Family Dwelling: This is the second lot in the same Lockwood Lane project; 150 cubic yards of dirt will remain on site and 23 trees are proposed for removal. The applicant said one hazardous heritage tree has an arborist report and was not counted in replacements, and many of the other trees were dead, dying, or in the way of grading. The plan calls for green giant arborvitae replacements, with the applicant noting 8-10 foot trees are required by ordinance and that every lot will have sprinkler systems. Public speakers expressed concern that newly planted trees would take years to replace the lost shade. Approved unanimously.
• 610 King of Prussia Road - Turf Field and Walkways: Representatives from Villanova University and Architera PC presented a project to convert the existing 2005 synthetic turf field into a smaller, FIH-sanctioned wet synthetic turf field for NCAA Division I use. Five trees will be removed (one 10-inch maple, two 12-inch maples, and two 4-inch dogwoods), requiring three replacement trees. The applicant will plant three Armstrong red maples, about 14-16 feet tall, limbed to at least 6 feet, in a utility-free area to limit tree litter and preserve sightlines. Tree protection fencing will be installed. Approved unanimously.

Tree Removal - Clearing Permits

• 245 Ashwood Road - Clearing of 28 Trees: No applicant appeared for the item, so the commission tabled the application.

Old Business

• Willows' Riparian Repair Project: The commission discussed the PHS grant of $9,650, down from the requested $15,000. The project would clear invasives along Abraham's Run and Little Darby Creek. Several estimates were sought, with the lowest quote currently around $19,000 and additional bids outstanding. Commission members noted the PHS grant appears restricted to planting and signage, meaning township funds would pay for clearing. Options discussed included reducing the scope to Abraham's Run or one side of the creek, having Public Works help with later clearings, and seeking PHS approval for a modified scope. A commissioner warned that previous riparian plantings at Bo Connor and Philippone, including the South Devon fields, have become overgrown due to lack of ongoing maintenance and that a sustainability plan is needed. Public Works staff indicated they could assist with later clearings, but not the initial heavy clearing. No decision was made; staff will get PHS guidance and remaining estimates.
• Shade Tree Ordinance Change - Look Back Provision: The commission tabled this item, agreeing to wait until a full commission is present.

Hazardous Trees and Trees Removed by Radnor Township

• Hazardous trees removed by residents included a 36-inch tulip poplar at 6 Paul Road and a 48-inch red maple at 122 Pine Tree Road.
• Radnor Township removed hazardous trees at 309 Midland Avenue (38-inch sycamore), 300 Pine Tree Road (25-inch oak), 101 Aberdeen Terrace (39-inch oak), 105 Aberdeen Terrace (36-inch, 33-inch, and 33-inch oaks), Odorisio Park (large dead ash), and 575 Maplewood Road (six ash trees, 10-18 inches). The township also pruned a 28-inch linden at 109 Calvarese, a sycamore at 309 Midland Avenue, and a cherry at 108 Rock Rose.
• The commission also reported that the two pin oaks at the AT&T site in the Wayne Business District were removed that day, resolving a resident complaint. Commissioners discussed the applicable replacement ratio (one-for-one vs. three-to-one in the commercial district); compensatory planting is the next step.

Public Comments & Testimony

• King Patel, a Lockwood Lane neighbor and vice president of the HOA, spoke during the 15 Lockwood Lane discussion. He said the community is saddened by the significant tree loss during the development and asked the builder to provide an updated tree-planting list so residents can track replacements. He accepted that hazardous or conflict trees may need removal.
• No other public comments were offered.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the May 27, 2026 meeting minutes unanimously.
• Approved grading permits for 536 Atterbury Lane, 401 Audubon Avenue, 913 Drexel Lane, 15 Lockwood Lane, 4 Lockwood Lane, and 610 King of Prussia Road, with conditions noted above.
• Tabled the 245 Ashwood Road clearing permit because no applicant was present.
• Tabled action on the Willows' riparian repair project until additional bids and PHS guidance are received.
• Tabled the Shade Tree Ordinance look-back provision until a full commission is present.
• Noted hazardous tree removals by residents and the township, and the removal of the AT&T pin oaks with compensatory planting to be determined.