Neighbors of Cricket Slope
info@neighborsofcricketslope.org

In 2004, A group of citizens of Oley Township, PA, concerned about the planned demolition of a neighboring historic 1850's farmstead,  resolved to resist and publicize the issue until the owner and developer reversed this plan. The neighbors also provided information about the historical protection options considered by The Oley Township Supervisors and Planning Commission, in hopes that such destruction might be prevented in the future.

 

Final Update on Cricket Slope Farm Subdivision

October, 2005

The Neighbors of Cricket Slope offer THANKS TO THE MORE THAN 500 CITIZENS WHO HAVE SIGNED PETITIONS. Special Thanks to POD/PC (Pike Oley District Preservation Coalition) who hosted us in our petition drive at the 2004 Oley Fair. We also would like to thank the many citizens and civic leaders who have sent letters to Forino, the owner, and to Oley Township. 

Thanks to your support, our voices were heard. The house and barn are intact, and will be preserved! 

The Oley Township Zoning Hearing Board met January 12, 2005, To decide on issues having to do with lot size and frontage. The proposed variances allowed a much more attractive development and was generally supported by all parties. As a part of these agreements, the developer agreed to enter into binding agreement with the township to preserve the house and barn, and further to preserve trees and provide landscape screening for the site. 

Since this time, the sale of the property has been finalized, and Forino is now the owner. As of October, 2005, the demolition permit applications have lapsed, and they are seeking final approval of their sub development plan, which is expected to pass in coming months. They have met with the township and neighbors to review screening and other issues, and have been reasonable in their approach to the project and the neighborhood.

Hopefully, this brings to a close these efforts. Thanks again for your support in preserving historic buildings in Oley Township. 

Neighbors of Cricket Slope
info@neighborsofcricketslope.org
www.neighborsofcricketslope.org

 

Neighbors Working to Save Cricket Slope Farm

The History: The Cricket Slope property is a 9.5 acre parcel of land located at 137 Main Street in Oley, Pennsylvania. Forino Developers of Sinking Spring, PA, has a contract of sale for the site, and submitted a sub-development plan in July, 2004, which planned to DEMOLISH two 150+ year old stone buildings, both of which are part of Oley's National Register of Historic Places Inventory of Historic Structures. Further, the owner has applied for a demolition permit, which could be executed as early as November 2004, which conflicts with the current plan submitted by Forino, where the house and barn are intact.

Of course, the citizens of this town, the Township Supervisors and Planning Commission, and especially the neighbors of the site have been horrified by this callous plan. A number organized to publicize this travesty, in hopes of persuading Forino to save the house and barn in future plans. 

They hosted a letter writing campaign, a petition drive, media publicity, and discussed the issues with hundreds of local residents and were interviewed by The Reading Eagle, with an article published Saturday October 23rd. 

Neighbors try to shape Oley subdivision

Thank you to those that  Signed a Petition  or Sent a Letter objecting to these plans. Your efforts helped to save Cricket Slope Farm

Neighbors Working to Promote The
Expansion of the Oley Township PA Historic District

The prospect of losing beautiful antique stone buildings is horrible, yet the thought that it could have been prevented is worse. This brings to the forefront the entire process of historic preservation in Oley Township. Fortunately, there has been a lot of wonderful work put in place by many town leaders, and we have a very strong, capable and preservation-minded elected leadership. The Neighbors of Cricket Slope try to take equal time to educate those we speak with about he historic preservation options being considered by our township Supervisors and Planning Commission.

In 2005, The Oley Township Supervisors and Planning Commission reviewed and improved Oley’s PA Historic District Ordinance and have expanded our Historic District to encompass the entire Township. This can prevent the demolition of historic buildings and help preserve the character of the town. We encourage you to learn more about this important issue.

Attend meetings of Oley's Historic Architectural Review Board, 3rd Thursdays, 7:30pm. Also, attend Township Supervisor Meetings, 2nd Mondays, 7:30pm. and Planning Commission Meetings 1st Mondays at 7:30pm, at the Oley Township Municipal Building, 1 Rose Virginia Road, Oley, PA 19547 tel: 610-987-3423 fax: 610-987-9010

Information about The Oley Township PA Historic District

Neighbors Working to Discuss Joint Comprehensive Planning and Zoning of 
Oley, Ruscombmanor, and Alsace Townships

There is a process where multiple towns are allowed (and are actively encouraged) to do Comprehensive Planning and Zoning as a single unit. As of October, 2005, this is being considered by the supervisors of three of the townships that comprise the Oley Valley School District. There have been special planning meetings in August and October, 2005 discussing these issues among the townships. 

Boyertown Times Article on the August Meeting

Oley currently has a Joint Comprehensive Plan in place with Alsace Township, and Ruscombmanor Township is being invited to participate. Once a Joint Comprehensive Plan is adopted, Joint Zoning ordinance is a possibility. 

Essentially, Planning and Zoning is a process where local, county, state and even federal governments plan and control the communities and growth of building in their areas, deciding issues such as the size and density of housing, where various types of commercial and industrial operations are allowed.

Joint planning initially would provide access to state and county funding to help hire planning consultants to review our current zoning ordinance and planning and traffic studies. This helps to insure that we have the best, most restrictive and appropriate zoning legally available to preserve rural and agriculture areas.

Perhaps the most important aspect of Joint Planning and Zoning means that the towns can share "uses." So for instance, if one town has a quarry, the other towns don't need to allow for this use. This is particularly important with divisive uses like heavy industry or landfills, or even commercial zones like shopping centers.Overall, it can mean that our towns can insure that we are not providing too much area for high-density housing, trailer parks, and the like, and that we are providing as much agricultural and rural preservation areas as possible.

For more info attend:
Oley Township Supervisor Meetings, 2nd Mondays, 7:30pm. and Planning Commission Meetings 1st Mondays at 7:30pm, at the Oley Township Municipal Building, 1 Rose Virginia Road, Oley, PA 19547 tel: 610-987-3423 fax: 610-987-9010.
RUSCOMBMANOR TOWNSHIP Board of Supervisors, 1st Thurs., 7:30,  Planning Commission 3rd Thurs. 7:30, 204 Oak Lane, Fleetwood, PA 19522, 610-944-7242 Fax: 610-944-7265. 
ALSACE TOWNSHIP Board of Supervisors, 3rd Wed, 7:00, Planning Commission 1st Thurs. 7:00, 65 Woodside Avenue, Temple, PA 19560, 610-929-5324, Fax: 610-921-0977

Previous Updates:
September, 2004
August, 2004|
October, 2004

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