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Village of Valleybrook  - Chester Heights, PA

Originally called Valleybrook Village, this 264 townhome development in the Borough of Chester Heights was highly controversial when it was proposed in 1971.   The first of many hurdles was designating the building site a Planned Residential Development.  A Planned Residential Development or a “PRD” is a zoning variance that a council enacts to permanently change the type of housing that is allowed to be built on the site.  A PRD grants permission for greater building density than originally established by the zoning on a lot.   Local Municipalities are granted the right to make PRD determinations by the  Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, but they must enact an ordinance or a law to do so.

At the July 3rd, 1972 meeting,  4 council members (Mr. C.Nelson Smitheman, Mr. John DeCampi, Mr. John Moyman, and Mr. Raymond Shisler) voted in favor of declaring the former Stramm property a Planned Residential Development (PRD)  changing its 1-acre per residential household zoning to just about .25 acres per unit. 

Many citizens came out to speak against the build that would double the population of the borough. Most notably opposition to the PRD ordinance was expressed by Mayor Kelly and Mr. Calvin Powell a resident and a landowner.

On August 7th, 1972 Mayor Kelly Vetoed the July vote and entered a letter detailing his position into the official record.

After considerable discussion regarding whether the community should be polled for a vote, the veto was overruled with 5 councilmen voting in favor: Mr. C.Nelson Smitheman, Mr. John DeCampi, Mr. John Moyman, and Mr. Raymond Shisler, Richard Wood, Jr., Edouard Houtman.

This vote changed the face of Chester Heights forever, but like all development, what once was a controversial development has become an integral part of our town.  After considerable trouble throughout the construction process,CHB gained 264 new households, new neighbors, and a place we all love to visit, especially on Halloween, when the Village of Valleybrook fills with families and laughter, lights and smiles, candy and friends.

Below are a few pictures of the construction shared by Charlie Larkin, who served as the lead on the project from 1976-1979, and Betsy Dotts who is a life-long owner – resident.   Also, check out the 25th Anniversary brochure that was put together by the Village of Valleybrook Board back in 1999.

 

VOV 25th anniversary image.JPG

Courtesy of  Ms. Betsy Dotts  

 

Village of Valleybrook  Panoramic View

Village of Valleybrook Panoramic View

Mid 1980's

Kings Drive

Contributed by:

Betsy Dotts

Village of Valleybrook  Construction 3

Village of Valleybrook Construction 3

Late 1970's

Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.

Contributed by:

Charlie Larkin

Village of Valleybrook  Construction 6

Village of Valleybrook Construction 6

Late 1970's

Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.

Contributed by:

Charlie Larkin

Village of Valleybrook  Construction 9

Village of Valleybrook Construction 9

Late 1970's

Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.

Contributed by:

Charlie Larkin

Village of Valleybrook  Construction 12

Village of Valleybrook Construction 12

Late 1970's

Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.

Contributed by:

Charlie Larkin

Village of Valleybrook  Construction 15

Village of Valleybrook Construction 15

Late 1970's

Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.

Contributed by:

Charlie Larkin

Village of Valleybrook  Homes

Village of Valleybrook Homes

Late 1970's

Bishop Drive

Contributed by:

Charlie Larkin

Village of Valleybrook Snowstorm

Village of Valleybrook Snowstorm

1983

Neighbors dig out from a storm. 22 inches fell that year.

Contributed by:

Charlie Larkin

Village of Valleybrook Playground

Village of Valleybrook Playground

1983

Children enjoying the original playground structure.

Contributed by:

Betsy Dotts

Village of  Valleybrook Article  New Development

Village of Valleybrook Article New Development

February 24, 1976

Delaware County Times article about the Village of Valleybrook Development in Chester Heights.

Contributed by:

Newspapers.com

Village of Valleybrook Article on Original Proposal

Village of Valleybrook Article on Original Proposal

October 31, 1972

Delaware County Times - Article on the original proposal which called for 350 units.

Contributed by:

Newspapers.com

Village of Valleybrook  Construction 1

Village of Valleybrook Construction 1

Late 1970's

Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.

Contributed by:

Charlie Larkin

Village of Valleybrook  Construction 4

Village of Valleybrook Construction 4

Late 1970's

Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.

Contributed by:

Charlie Larkin

Village of Valleybrook  Construction 7

Village of Valleybrook Construction 7

Late 1970's

Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.

Contributed by:

Charlie Larkin

Village of Valleybrook  Construction 10

Village of Valleybrook Construction 10

Late 1970's

Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.

Contributed by:

Charlie Larkin

Village of Valleybrook  Construction 13

Village of Valleybrook Construction 13

Late 1970's

Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.

Contributed by:

Charlie Larkin

Village of Valleybrook  Construction 16

Village of Valleybrook Construction 16

Late 1970's

Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.

Contributed by:

Charlie Larkin

Village of Valleybrook Snowstorm

Village of Valleybrook Snowstorm

1983

VoV friendships bloomed in the snow.

Contributed by:

Charlie Larkin

Village of Valleybrook Snowstorm

Village of Valleybrook Snowstorm

1983

Friends get together to have beer during a snow storm.

Contributed by:

Charlie Larkin

Village of Valleybrook Neighborhood Photo

Village of Valleybrook Neighborhood Photo

1983

Bishop Drive

Contributed by:

Betsy Dotts

Vilage fo Valleybrook Construction Concerns

Vilage fo Valleybrook Construction Concerns

December 16, 1976

Delaware County Times Article - Active Civic Association voices concerns about construction.

Contributed by:

Newspapers.com

Village of Valleybrook Zoning Notice

Village of Valleybrook Zoning Notice

October 6, 1972

Zoning Notice -legally required to be published when a zoning change is being considered.

Contributed by:

Newspapers.com

Village of Valleybrook  Construction 2

Village of Valleybrook Construction 2

Late 1970's

Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.

Contributed by:

Charlie Larkin

Village of Valleybrook  Construction 5

Village of Valleybrook Construction 5

Late 1970's

Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.

Contributed by:

Charlie Larkin

Village of Valleybrook  Construction 8

Village of Valleybrook Construction 8

Late 1970's

Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.

Contributed by:

Charlie Larkin

Village of Valleybrook  Construction 11

Village of Valleybrook Construction 11

Late 1970's

Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.

Contributed by:

Charlie Larkin

Village of Valleybrook  Construction 14

Village of Valleybrook Construction 14

Late 1970's

Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.

Contributed by:

Charlie Larkin

Village of Valleybrook  Construction

Village of Valleybrook Construction

Early 1980's

Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.

Contributed by:

Charlie Larkin

Village of Valleybrook Snowstorm

Village of Valleybrook Snowstorm

1983

Enjoying the snow

Contributed by:

Charlie Larkin

Village of Valleybrook Snowstorm

Village of Valleybrook Snowstorm

1983

Check out the original wooden mail boxes in the background.

Contributed by:

Betsy Dotts

Village of Valleybrook Preview Opening Weekend

Village of Valleybrook Preview Opening Weekend

May 17, 1974

Original Advertisement for Village of Valleybrook price $27,900.

Contributed by:

Newspapers.com

Vilage fo Valleybrook Construction Concerns

Vilage fo Valleybrook Construction Concerns

October 2, 1979

Delaware County Times - Develompment Construction Concerns as the Homeowners are taking on responsibility.

Contributed by:

Public Domain

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