News
2017
June 1, 2017 - The Natural Lands Trust announced that they have completed the purchase of Bryn Coed farms. A significant portion of the puchase was made possible by a successful local fundraising effort.
June 9, 2017 - Daily Local News: Saved! 1,500-acre Bryn Coed Farms spared from development
2016
November 16, 2016 - The Natural Lands Trust held a public meeting to explain the agreement to purchase Bryn Coed farms. In order to fulfill the agreement, the Trust is working to obtain funding from a variety of sources including public grants and private donations. The supervisors of West Vincent Township are negotiating to purchase a significant portion of the property to use a future township park using open space funds. A fundraising campaign to solicit private donations will officially kick off in 2017, however donations designated for Bryn Coed Farms can be made at any time using this link.
September 28, 2016 - The Natural Lands Trust and the Dietrich family reached an agreement to purchase Bryn Coed Farms, a 1500+ acre property, a portion of which extends to just 1/4 mile from the center of Birchrunville. This is one of the largest undeveloped areas in the region and if it were to be fully developed would have a great impact on our historic village. The sale will take several years to complete and is contingent on obtaining funding.
More details are available here:
https://natlands.org/who-we-are/news/one-step-closer-to-preservation-of-bryn-coed-farms/
April 21, 2016 -
Signs marking the Birchrunville Historic District have been erected on along several key roads that lead into the historic village.
These signs have been facilitated by a donation by the HBNA to the West Vincent Township Historic Resources Committee.
As we noted in the original press
release (January 2014), the donation was directed in a way that would raise awareness of the historic village.
2015
October 27, 2015 -HBNA Officers Answer Accusations
A letter from the HBNA Board regarding some recent allegations about the Association. Read More...
July 20, 2015 - Daily Local News: West Vincent featured in Town Tours and Village Walks
West Vincent properties featured as part of the 2015 Town Tours and Village Walks program.
2014
July 13, 2014 - Daily Local News: Birchrunville Tours Displays Village History
Birchrunville featured as part of the Town Tours and Village Walks program.
July 13, 2014 - Daily Local News: Birchrunville Tours Displays Village History
Birchrunville featured as part of the Town Tours and Village Walks program.
Following a successful fundraising drive, the Association has fulfilled all financial obligations incurred during the effort to save the Birchrunville Schoolhouse.
PRESS RELEASE - HBNA Announces Results o[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [378.2 KB]
February 25, 2014 - Daily Local News: West Vincent to Buy Property for Park
Supervisors credited the residents for the developer’s decision to sell the property... We thank you for your support of the HBNA which made this possible.
January 15, 2014 - Pottstown Mercury: West Vincent Fundraiser helps with Birchrunville Defense Costs
An article about our first event - neighbors and friends came together in order to celebrate our the success of our efforts.
PRESS RELEASE - HBNA Winter Celebration [...]
Adobe Acrobat document [376.5 KB]
2013
December 27, 2013 - Daily Local News: Residents fight to save Birchrunville
A township supervisor said the case prepared by the HBNA expert team may have been a deciding factor in the schoolhouse developer selling the property.
November 26, 2013 - Daily Local News: West Vincent to buy Birchrunville property
The deal was announced less than a month after the Conditional Use Application was withdrawn. We have no doubt that this was due in large part to the member support of the HBNA which gave us the ability to engage an attorney and land use professionals to develop our case.
November 25, 2013 - Daily Local News: Birchrunville Future is Community Concern
After listening to comments from many HBNA members, the West Vincent Township Planning Commission has recommended against adopting zoning a ordinance change that would affect the Birchrunville (BV) Zoning District.
October 25, 2013 - Daily Local News: Two seek West Vincent supervisor seat
We have posted information regarding the positions of both candidates on the Conditional Use Hearing and development proposal for the Birchrunville Schoolhouse.
October 23, 2013 - Daily Local News: Legendary
musician Jim Croce called Chester County home
Jim spent a lot of time in Birchrunville, at the geodesic dome owned by attorney Hy Mayerson... according to Mayerson, “and Jim frequently hung out and played music at the dome.” Hy
Mayerson posted this video along with his recollections of Jim discussing the Birchrunville Schoolhouse.
October 22, 2013 - Daily Local News: Testimony about
Birchrunville development begins
Note that the article states that "the three office buildings would be '113 feet, plus or minus' away from the schoolhouse". This is not correct - the corner of the existing "salt
shed" is 113 feet away from the schoolhouse. It will be demolished (along with the other shed) and replaced with three buildings that will be within 62 feet of the schoolhouse!
In a letter to the West Vincent Board of Supervisors, a representative of the township's Historic Resource Committee cites the relevant section in the Zoning Ordinance.
HistoricResourceStudy2013Oct10.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [177.5 KB]
CCPC recommends "West Vincent Township should not approve the proposed conditional use for the schoolhouse property application because the submission does [not] meet ordinance requirements."
CCPC Review letter 09-25-13.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [145.5 KB]
PRESS RELEASE - HBNA engages professiona[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [380.3 KB]
PRESS RELEASE - HBNA formed.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [384.8 KB]
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