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: (Check out the Council Meeting minutes from 1972-1979).
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.
Courtesy of Ms. Betsy Dotts
Village of Valleybrook Panoramic View
Mid 1980's
Kings Drive
Contributed by:
Betsy Dotts
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
Late 1970's
Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.
Contributed by:
Charlie Larkin
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
Late 1970's
Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.
Contributed by:
Charlie Larkin
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
Late 1970's
Bishop Drive
Contributed by:
Charlie Larkin
Village of Valleybrook Snowstorm
1983
Neighbors dig out from a storm. 22 inches fell that year.
Contributed by:
Charlie Larkin
Village of Valleybrook Playground
1983
Children enjoying the original playground structure.
Contributed by:
Betsy Dotts
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
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
Late 1970's
Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.
Contributed by:
Charlie Larkin
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
Late 1970's
Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.
Contributed by:
Charlie Larkin
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
Late 1970's
Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.
Contributed by:
Charlie Larkin
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
1983
VoV friendships bloomed in the snow.
Contributed by:
Charlie Larkin
Village of Valleybrook Snowstorm
1983
Friends get together to have beer during a snow storm.
Contributed by:
Charlie Larkin
Village of Valleybrook Neighborhood Photo
1983
Bishop Drive
Contributed by:
Betsy Dotts
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
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
Late 1970's
Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.
Contributed by:
Charlie Larkin
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
Late 1970's
Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.
Contributed by:
Charlie Larkin
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
Late 1970's
Construction progress on unit 218 and the adjoining row between 1976-1978.
Contributed by:
Charlie Larkin
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
1983
Enjoying the snow
Contributed by:
Charlie Larkin
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
May 17, 1974
Original Advertisement for Village of Valleybrook price $27,900.
Contributed by:
Newspapers.com
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