A lawsuit seeking to stop Upper Pottsgrove Township from building a municipal complex on land purchased by the township and listed in its open space plan as “permanently protected open space” now rests with Commonwealth Court Judge Jeffrey Saltz. The case is being closely watched by land preservation advocates and township officials throughout the commonwealth because of the precedent it could set regarding the legal limits on how much development a township can undertake on land purchased for open space. It may also have those considering selling their land for preservation questioning whether a municipality would be a good steward of the open space. The lawsuit was brought against the township by residents Nathanial Guest and Matthew Murray, who argue the plan to build on the Smola Farm violates Pennsylvania’s open space law. It is estimated that the township has spent about $800,000 so far on the plans for the municipal complex. Read more in the Pottstown Mercury.
Source: Pottstown Mercury; 10/15/2024