Radnor Township · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Radnor public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Commercial Signage Standards on Lancaster Avenue
Three businesses along Lancaster Avenue — HARTH, Old Friend Restaurant, and Main Line Mahjong — are seeking design approval for signs, awnings, lighting and facade changes, shaping the look of Radnor's commercial corridor.
Agnes Irwin temporary classrooms during renovation
Agnes Irwin School plans a Middle and Upper School renovation and wants temporary "learning cottages" on green space by the Lower School for one academic year. Neighbors near S. Ithan Avenue may notice the modular units and the school is proposing to minimize impacts on parking and circulation.
Radnor School District administration building renovation
The school district wants to renovate the exterior of its administration building at 135 S. Wayne Ave. and add an infill addition within an existing courtyard. The design review is a step before permits.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2027 Preliminary Operating and Capital Budget
The commission's pitch to the Board of Commissioners is set for Nov. 9, projecting a $14,000 balance going into next year plus a continued Channel Clear donation. The pitch highlights how the commission supports the township's state stormwater (MS4) obligations.
Delaware County open space bond referendum
Delaware County voters are deciding on a $120 million open space bond to fund parks, trails, and land preservation. If you care about green space, it’s literally on your ballot—backers say it’s a chance to lock in conservation funding.
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.
Proposed Data Center Zoning Ordinance
Radnor is getting ahead of data center development by defining the use, limiting it to the PLO district, capping size, and requiring noise, decommissioning and financial-security standards. Commissioners and residents raised concerns about noise setbacks and developer bankruptcy risk.
Stormwater Authority appointments
The Board seated the first five members of the new Radnor Township Stormwater Authority, which will oversee stormwater compliance, infrastructure and fees. Commissioner Larkin opposed the authority itself but supported the appointees.
Community Grant Program Establishment
The township awarded its first-ever round of community grants — $100,000 split among recipients chosen from 18 applications seeking nearly $380,000. A resident suggested posting future applications online for public input.
Stormwater Capital Improvement Bonds
The township will borrow up to $10 million to fund stormwater capital projects — pipes, culverts and flood-control work. The bond sale was priced the day after adoption.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
New Board of Health Member Appointments
The board was scheduled to evaluate three prospective candidates for membership.
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.
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.
Stryker EMS Equipment Acquisition
The township proposed purchasing nearly $844,000 in advanced EMS equipment, including monitors, automated CPR devices, stretchers, and stair chairs, using a 7-year zero-interest payment plan. Commissioners tabled the vote to examine the physical equipment firsthand.
Wayne Downtown Master Plan & Parklet Proposal
The adoption of the 'A Vision for Wayne' master plan ignited a fierce debate over downtown parking, walkability, and proposed green spaces. Local business owners and merchants strongly objected to potential parking space reductions and traffic changes on North Wayne Avenue, arguing it would hurt customer access and retail sales.
Town Square Development
Locals are seriously doubting whether the proposed Wayne Commons town square project is actually going to pan out. If you spend time shopping or hanging out in Wayne, get ready for a major shift in the local vibe and downtown layout.
Waverly Heights Life Care Center Proposal at 452 S. Roberts Road
Waverly Senior Services is proposing a 225-unit life care facility on Roberts Road, raising neighborhood concerns about building height, setbacks, traffic, and stormwater management.
Villanova University Parking and Connelly Center Expansion Review
Villanova University and township engineers are at odds over how to calculate parking requirements for the Connelly Center expansion based on an older zoning code. The dispute centers on whether office parking ratios should be applied per building or lumped together campus-wide.
Residential Setback Variances and Neighborhood Character
A homeowner on Camp Woods Road received approval to expand their house, accommodating a growing family and aging parents despite a tight corner lot.
Air Quality Monitoring and Diesel Pollution
The Board of Commissioners invited the EAC to present their proposal for a phased ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, with public town halls scheduled for April.
Zoning Code Amendments for Nonconforming Uses
The township enacted an ordinance overhauling regulations for nonconforming uses, structures, and lots to provide clearer legal protections and remove registration fees.
Fenimore Woods Park Renovations and Grant Funding
Staff provided a positive progress report on the Fenimore Woods stable restoration, noting construction is on track for a summer opening. The board also discussed the need for broader capital funding for other park maintenance needs, such as the Fenimore Woods pond.
Odorisio Park Playground Replacement and Site Design
Residents near Odorissio Park voiced frustration over long-delayed upgrades, poor playground conditions, and potential plans to introduce bike trails in the park's wooded areas, prompting the board to refocus on basic park repairs.
Historic District Architectural Oversight
The review board evaluated and approved eight residential modification requests to ensure exterior changes comply with historic preservation standards in Wayne.
Small Cell Wireless Telecommunications Equipment
Crown Cellular/T-Mobile proposed small cell wireless antennas on existing utility poles on Landover Road and Coopertown Road to improve local cell coverage.
WearWell Textile Recycling Partnership
Radnor High School students co-founding WearWell proposed expanding textile recycling bins and increasing community awareness to divert clothing from landfills.
Building Energy Benchmarking Ordinance
Radnor is considering adopting a regional building energy benchmarking program that requires commercial, institutional, and municipal buildings over a certain size to report energy use. The program aims to track efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and encourage energy upgrades.
Acquisition of Property for Magisterial District Court
Residents turned out in droves to protest plans to move the district court into a residential neighborhood on West Wayne Avenue, warning of severe traffic bottlenecks, parking crunches, and safety risks for kids walking to school.
Creutzberg Center Renovation and Architectural Services
The township is weighing a major multi-million dollar overhaul of the historic Creutzberg Center, leased to Main Line School Night, though commissioners pumped the brakes on approving a $491,200 design contract until they inspect the property firsthand.
Neighbor Dispute and Code Enforcement at 506 Chaumont Drive
A resident expressed deep frustration over alleged unpermitted grading and property damage caused by a next-door neighbor, criticizing township staff for inaction and lax enforcement.
Commercial Signage Standards and Visual Clutter
Flagship Carwash sought extensive new signage including wall signs, pole signs, pay lane signs, and vacuum station graphics. The board expressed concerns over sign sizes, heights, and excessive red coloring, continuing several elements for redesign.
Exterior Lighting and Resident Impact
Monroe Muffler presented updated lighting plans and shielding to address light pollution concerns raised by nearby residents.
Neighborhood Traffic and Parking Restrictions
Commissioners reminded residents of upcoming primary election polling place changes, including the move of Mullen Center voters to Radnor Elementary and Ward 5 voters to Ithan Elementary. Residents were also warned of heavy traffic due to Villanova University graduation.
Restaurant Parking Relief at 385 W. Lancaster Ave.
Voracious Enterprises sought parking variances to open a restaurant in a former DeBruno Brothers space, utilizing a shared parking agreement with a nearby farmers market.
Residential Conversion at 823 Glenbrook Ave.
Property owners received approvals to convert an underutilized commercial storage space into two additional residential apartments, creating a four-unit building near Bryn Mawr Hospital.
Highland Avenue Handicap Parking and Fire Hydrant Enforcement
A resident requested a handicap parking space on Highland Avenue, and staff noted illegal parking near a nearby fire hydrant requiring enforcement.
Chamounix Road Traffic and Safety
Residents requested speed humps and a crosswalk light system following a pedestrian accident, prompting staff to consult PennDOT.
Oak Hill Project Revised Land Development Plan
The developers of the Oak Hill continuing care retirement community on Eagle Road are adjusting their site layout to improve building entryways and traffic flow. The changes require variances to disturb small bands of man--made steep slopes.
Creation of Township Public Art Commission
A new Public Art Commission is being established to explore public art programs, engage residents, and beautify township spaces.