East Marlborough planning commission talks about the Wickersham barn

As expected, the status of the old Wickersham double barn across from St. Michael's Lutheran Church was discussed at the April 28 meeting of the East Marlborough Township planning commission. 
The barn is owned by the Unionville-Chadds Ford school district, which is proposing to build "outdoor facility enhancements" on the site: "a multi-use synthetic turf field, a varsity softball field, a middle school baseball field, associated utility structures, paths, and an 81-space parking lot along East Doe Run Road." 
The current plan does not call for razing the barn. But because it is already falling into disrepair, several members of the planning commission expressed concern that without being stabilized, it might become subject to "demolition by neglect."
They said they'd like to see the barn preserved because it is part of the area's history and "cultural landscape," as commission member Marnie Conley phrased it.
However, James Whitesel, the school district's supervisor of buildings and grounds, characterized the barn as "not in good shape." He said renovating it would cost $400,000 to $500,000, which he said was "extremely out of the realm" of possibility. However, he agreed to reach out to John Rosecrans, who heads the township's historical commission, to talk about the situation.
The entire project will need to be approved by the township supervisors before construction can begin.
The commission also discussed the proposed parking lot. The sight distance for motorists pulling out from the lot onto Doe Run Road is more than the required minimum. The size of the lot was determined based on estimates of one car per player. To minimize light pollution, the commission didn't think lighting was needed in the parking lot. If it became a "hangout" for youths, a gate could be installed across the entrance. 
The plan engineer agreed to consult with the Po-Mar-Lin Fire Co. to check that their vehicles could gain access to the site in case of an emergency.
The commission members often ask developers to install trees for screening, but in this case they said they didn't think it was needed.
"The existing viewshed is more appealing than putting trees around the perimeter," said Cuyler Walker, who chairs the planning commission.
Macadam paths will be installed as part of the project, but Mr. Whitesel said installing them along the eastern and northern edges of the site -- in other words, along Doe Run Road and Route 82, near the roundabout -- would cost $40,000 to $50,000.
Attending the videoconference were, in addition to Mr. Walker and Ms. Conley, were planning commission members Shelley Mincer, Charles Streitweiser, Mary Nell Ferry, Jane Donze, Lisa Henry, Pat Montague, and Rob Jerger; township supervisors Robert McKinstry, John Sarro, Eric Matuszak, and Kathryn Monahan; and several interested members of the public.  

West side of the barn.