Great article by Sam Strike in Main Line Life on a very under publicized storwater meeting in Radnor on October 23rd. Too bad more people did not know about this, or you would have had some folks from North Wayne with a thing or two to say, especially from Little Chicago.

Like the People on Pennsylvania Ave who have been getting literally swamped with water since the work on and around the Wayne Train Station began? I am guessing removing all those trees and that wierd stone pit thing over there has something to do with it? As well as the fact that stormwater from both sides of the tracks seems to be now designed to run off on the Pennsylvania Avenue side? (I actually asked the railroads - Amtrak and Septa- about this, but haven't had a response).

So in addition, there is the continuing issue of wannabe developers from a local Prudential office and their property at 236 N. Aberdeen? What does Radnor Township think is going to happen if that home built by Jonathan Lengel gets 'dozed for twin McMonstrosities and their Garage Mahals? There is a 10 foot drop DOWN from the North Aberdeen side of the Gulph Creek to Willow Avenue. FEMA has flow rate data that is over 30 years old, and yet they expect people to be o.k. if the flood plain lines or whatever are moved? Radnor Township will hopefully think twice about this? What happend when the impervious surface percentage so drastically increases? Ok ok, no rocket science needed here just the simple reminder that water always seeks it's own level, or can it be said that Willow Avenue might just revert to it's earlier history as literally, the Wayne Natatorium? (and oh by the way if they are handing out historical plaques in Radnor, how about a market for the Wayne Natatorium and a marker for Jonathan Lengel in front of 236 North Averdeen?)

Anyway, it's great Radnor is seriously looking at the issue of stormwater and devoting time to it...so here, read the article:

Posted on Tue, Nov 11, 2008
Radnor flood problems discussed at forum
By Sam Strike

Radnor Township and its Environmental Advisory Council held a stormwater management forum Oct. 23 to inform residents about water issues and discuss the possibility of implementing a township-wide stormwater fee.Representatives from the township, Delaware County and other organizations explained the various causes of and numerous solutions to a problem that seems to plague the area more with every passing storm.

The ramifications of impervious cover, where water can't permeate, are obvious, and there is no simple fix, said Radnor Planning Commission member Donald Curley.

The causes of flooding are both sins of the past - old storm drains and building in floodplains - and those still being committed today in township codes and ordinances.

Although the township recently adopted a more stringent stormwater management ordinance and is looking to decrease the maximum amount of impervious coverage in some areas, trees are regularly taken down and other natural water filters disturbed in development projects.

"Everybody has been part of the problem, but not part of the solutions," said Marlou Church Gregory, a consultant who has been working with the township.