Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Radnor public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
45 issues
Waverly Heights Life Care Center Proposal at 452 S. Roberts Road
Waverly Senior Services wants to add a life care residence at 452 S. Roberts Road, needing a special exception plus several variances. Height, steep-slope disturbance, and building dimensions are the sticking points the Board will weigh.
Commercial Signage Standards on Lancaster Avenue
A continued appeal seeking taller-than-allowed wall signs at 363 West Lancaster Avenue in the commercial-office district. Taller signs can improve business visibility but also shape the look of the corridor.
Floodplain construction variance at 124 Poplar Avenue
A floodplain variance request for construction and grading at 124 Poplar Avenue. Building in a floodplain raises questions about drainage and neighbors' flood risk, which is why it needs special relief.
Residential Setback Variances and Neighborhood Character
Three separate requests for relief from residential setbacks: a rear addition on Moscia Lane, a pergola on Barcladen Circle, and a two-story addition on King of Prussia Road. These show how often existing homes bump up against zoning limits.
Building Energy Benchmarking Ordinance
A finalized ordinance would require large building owners to track and report energy use. It could be introduced November 30 and adopted by the Board of Commissioners on December 14.
Municipal Solar and Energy Projects
Radnor's new rooftop solar panels at the Public Works and Municipal buildings are live and already avoiding over 23 tons of CO2, with LED building upgrades headed to bid in December. PECO bills should reflect energy credits.
Delaware County open space bond referendum
County voters will decide on a $120 million line of credit for land conservation — protecting drinking water, wildlife habitat, trails and parks. The average homeowner (about a $400,000 home) would pay roughly $24 a year.
Radwyn Apartments Development Plan, Landover Road
A development plan for the Radwyn Apartments on Landover Road is coming before the council as new business. Environmental impacts — likely stormwater, trees and shade-tree ordinance issues — will be part of the conversation.
Proposed Gas Leaf Blower Ban
Radnor is discussing phasing out gas-powered leaf blowers township-wide. That would mean quieter neighborhoods and less exhaust and dust in the air, but landscapers and homeowners who rely on the equipment would need to switch to electric alternatives.
Historic Exterior Modifications at 334 Louella Ave
A residential design-build firm is rebranding the former Luella space at 227 E. Lancaster Ave, but its proposed marquee lettering exceeds the code's sign allowance of roughly 64 square feet total. The application was continued to December 9 while the owner revises plans.
Radnor School District administration building renovation
The district is renovating its 1901 administration building at 135 S. Wayne Ave — new windows, masonry repair, an accessible front ramp, landscaping, and a multi-purpose room infilling the courtyard. Construction runs summer 2027 to summer 2028.
Old Friend Restaurant vestibule controversy
The restaurant wants a glazed front vestibule for warmth and guest comfort on cold nights, but the board denied the application as presented because zoning approval — and possibly land development and ADA review — must come first.
Harth rebranding and signage at former Luella boutique
A residential design-build firm is rebranding the former Luella space at 227 E. Lancaster Ave, but its proposed marquee lettering exceeds the code's sign allowance of roughly 64 square feet total. The application was continued to December 9 while the owner revises plans.
Agnes Irwin temporary classrooms during renovation
The school will place modular learning cottages on campus green space for one school year while renovating its Middle and Upper School interiors. The units are set back 120 feet from Ithan Avenue and screened by trees, and the school held neighbor meetings ahead of the request.
Skunk Hollow Trail Emergency Safety Markers
The township is considering decommissioning the Brooke Farm Trail over safety conditions and access concerns. Trail users could lose a recreational resource, so this discussion will matter to neighbors who use it.
Proposed Data Center Zoning Ordinance
Radnor is getting ahead of data center development by drafting rules: limiting them to the PLO district, capping building coverage, requiring noise limits, decommissioning plans and annual compliance checks. A second draft comes back after commissioner and public input.
Shade Tree Commission Funding
The volunteer-driven Shade Tree Commission asked for its first township funding: $20,000 to keep planting trees and maintaining riparian restoration projects. Its donation-funded account is nearly exhausted after planting 1,400+ trees since 2020. The request will be folded into the upcoming budget, where commissioners will decide.
Brooke Farm Trail Safety and Decommissioning
The township is considering decommissioning the Brooke Farm Trail over safety conditions and access concerns. Trail users could lose a recreational resource, so this discussion will matter to neighbors who use it.
Holiday Parking Suspension
The township is making the West Avenue and South Wayne lots free for December and January and suspending paid parking township-wide on Saturdays in December to draw shoppers downtown. It costs about $6,000 in forgone revenue but supports local businesses during the holidays. Just remember: it's temporary and ends February 1.
Willows Riparian Repair Grant Budget and Maintenance
The first planting put in 72 container trees and 134 shrubs, with a second planting of 20–40 bare-root trees set for Nov. 8 and 14 — volunteers welcome. Filipone Park got a cleanup and pruning as well.
Resident-requested removal of right-of-way trees
A Radnor Valley Road resident wants healthy sweet gum trees on the right-of-way removed because gumballs pile up and pedestrians have twisted ankles. The commission wouldn't condemn healthy trees for fruit drop, but is exploring a policy that would let residents pay to remove their own street trees under the same replacement rules as private trees.
Spring Tree Planting & Fundraising Campaign
All 35 subsidized bare-root trees for residents sold out fast. Pickup is Nov. 12–13, and everything should be in the ground by Nov. 20, with commission members helping install.
Shade Tree Commission Website Relaunch
The old Shade Tree site now redirects to the township's new site, and most fixes from a full content review are live. Once broken images and links are patched, the commission will review and then promote it.
Street tree survival tracking
Of 83 street trees planted in fall 2025 and spring 2026, 64 are alive and six are dead. The commission built a master spreadsheet so every future planting gets tracked the same way — and wants to compare mortality rates with other townships.
Grading Permits and Tree Removal Oversight
Commissioners discussed challenges with unpermitted tree removals on residential properties and debated adding a look-back period to the shade tree ordinance to improve enforcement.
2027 Preliminary Operating and Capital Budget
Township Manager Bill White rolled out the draft 2027 budget: no real estate tax increase proposed, a possible sewer fee bump from $13.46 to $14, and a likely stormwater fee increase to cover new bond debt. Adoption is expected December 14, with workshop dates in November.
Stormwater Capital Improvement Bonds
The Board adopted the bond ordinance funding stormwater capital projects, and staff flagged that the stormwater fee — flat since 2014 — will need to rise to cover higher debt service starting next year.
Stormwater Authority appointments
Five members were appointed to the new Stormwater Authority, which can set stormwater fees. Commissioner Agnew opposes the authority itself but voted for the people; staggered one-to-five-year terms were assigned alphabetically per state law.
PAISBOA Municipal Building Lease Renewal
PAISBOA renews about 1,500 square feet in the municipal building for three years, with rent rising from $32.47 to $34.45 per foot — but the space is too small for a municipal court, a question commissioners raised.
2027 Community Grant Awards
The Township's first community grant program awarded $100,000 from eighteen applications seeking nearly $380,000; a resident asked that applications be posted for public comment in future years.
Election Guide
Get ready for the 2026 midterms with this handy guide covering your ballot options and where to vote in Radnor. It's a quick way to make sure your voice is heard without having to dig through confusing government websites.
Impervious Coverage Variance at 407 Midland Avenue
Homeowners Jennifer and Edward Brennan are seeking permission to keep an existing stone patio that pushes their property's impervious coverage slightly above the legal limit.
Dimensional Variance for Front Stairs at 621 Heather Lane
Hiromi and Steve Ciarrochi need zoning relief to expand their back patio and redesign front steps that encroach into the right-of-way area.
Parking Space and Width Variances at 105 N. Aberdeen Avenue
A proposed coffee shop and community foundation headquarters requested significant parking variances, sparking pushback from a neighboring shopping center over potential overflow parking issues.
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and Ordinances
Board members discussed developing a local municipal ordinance to prevent lead poisoning, noting Radnor's older housing stock. They are partnering with student interns and water utilities to check service lines and raise public awareness.
New Board of Health Member Appointments
The board was scheduled to evaluate three prospective candidates for membership.
Communicable Disease Monitoring and West Nile Virus
The board reviewed regional health data, noting an increase in influenza B cases in local schools while COVID-19 and RSV trends remain stable.
Road Salt Contamination in Local Streams and Tap Water
The board explored water quality concerns, including road salt and heavy metal runoff affecting local streams and tap water. Members discussed potential collaborations with the Environmental Advisory Council to pursue filtration and mitigation strategies.
Open space reduction on the Roberts Road tract
The site is roughly 88% green today; the plan proposes 64% pervious area with the required 15% contiguous open space. Neighbors pressed hard on the loss.
Proposed EMS substation on the Waverly property
The applicant disclosed that the Township has asked to build an EMS substation on the site — a use permitted by right, not part of the zoning application. Residents were told the Township will separately inform the community.
Institutional Zoning Dispute
Valley Forge Military College is thinking about packing up and leaving Radnor Township after clashing with local officials over zoning rules. If they actually pull out, it's going to completely change the look and feel of the neighborhood.
Fraudulent township invoice scam warning
The zoning officer warned that fake invoices claiming to be from township boards are circulating; Radnor never asks for wire transfers and official emails end in @radnor.org.
Stormwater Management for Downtown Infill Development
Neighbors with existing overflowing storm drains questioned whether new buildings and driveways on steep slopes will worsen runoff. The engineer said basins will detain water so rates don't increase, but detailed calculations haven't been done yet.
Utilities: water, sewer, and electric grid capacity
Residents asked whether a 225-unit community will strain the local power grid — where outages are common — and water pressure. The engineer said PECO and the water company do their own assessments and the applicant pays for needed upgrades.
Chamounix Road Traffic and Safety
Residents pressed the traffic engineer on adding hundreds of daily trips to a narrow, hilly, 25-mph road with no sidewalks, a low railroad bridge, school bus stops, and popular running routes. The engineer's own tables show 547 to 1,114 estimated new daily trips against about 2,300 today.