October Update on Cricket Slope Farm Subdivision

October, 2004

Dear Neighbor,

Firstly, 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 Oley Fair September, 16, 17 and 18. 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 are being heard.

The Oley Township Planning Commission met Monday October 4. Forino’s Attorney Mr. Koch and several representatives of Forino and the owner attended. A NEW PLAN FOR CRICKET SLOPE has been submitted. 

Good News...
The house and barn are intact on Forino's current plan! 

We are gratified to see Forino cooperating with our efforts to keep the house and barn standing, However, we're quite concerned about the conflicting information coming from the owner in his applying for a demolition permit, and his continuing stated plan to demolish the buildings. We don't consider our job complete until the status of the buildings is assured. We suspect that this conflict will continue until the properties are resold, and their next use becomes clear. Until then, we're still in business...

The Oley Township Supervisors met October 11th, and asked Forino to discuss way to minimize impact of the development. The Township hopes to work with Forino in the design of the sub-development of this site that enhances the town rather than degrades it...At this point we're encouraged that Forino has been somewhat willing to cooperate with the Township in discussing plan changes to minimize the impact on the neighborhood.

As neighbors, we very much support these discussions which include reducing the number of new houses, maintaining the residential character of the neighborhood, providing evergreen trees/shrubs as visual screening of new from old neighborhoods, the expectation of high-end, custom or varied building plans with attractive and appropriate architectural styles including significant brick and/or natural stone masonry, and by all means the expectation that all development will SAVE MATURE TREES, and AVOID DRAINAGE PROBLEMS.

What can we do? 

You can help, please Sign a Petition  or Send a Letter objecting to these plans.

Please contact us if you can volunteer to help promote historic preservation efforts in the Oley Valley.

ATTEND next Planning Commission meeting November 1st at 7:30pm to support your local planning commission! Voice your concerns, and learn more about the challenges faced by our township in preserving our rural character.

What’s Next:  

We can prevent the demolition of historic buildings in the future if we act now...The Oley Township Supervisors and the Oley Planning Commission do a good job of preserving the heritage of our town with careful zoning law and aggressive agricultural preservation work. 

Currently, an expansion of Oley’s PA Historic District is being proposed, which can prevent the destruction of historic buildings and preserve the character of Oley Township. Attend the Planning Commission Workshop October 25th at 7:30pm to learn more about this important issue. Mr. Michel Lefevre, Representative of the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission will review ordinance and answer questions.

Information about The Oley Township PA Historic District

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