Why the proposed development must be stopped

***ATTENTION: The location of the next hearing has moved to North Brandywine Middle School (256 Reeceville Road, Coatesville) on Tues, Sept 29th at 6 PM. This is because they expect a huge turnout. We must pack the auditorium. Please attend the hearing and bring everyone you can. It doesn't matter if you live in a neighboring Township. We share the same water source and emergency services. This affects EVERYONE!!!***

Consider donating here. 100% of funds raised go to our attorney and expert witnesses.

Ask about a yard sign here. In addition to the "No Hospital Means No Toll Brothers" sign, we now have a bog turtle protest sign!

Download a printable flier to give to neighbors, put up on bulletin boards, and hand out at events here.

If you want "Party Status" at future Hearings, download a Petition HERE! Party Status allows you to question the developer during their presentation and provide your own testimony in response, rather than having to wait until the end of the hearings to public comment. If you are a West Brandywine resident, you should strongly consider it. Your concerns would be water security, emergency services, traffic, and taxes. (Place in an envelope with "ATTN: Noah Stribrny, Township Manager" on the outside and drop off at the Township Building (198 Lafayette Road, West Brandywine)

Friends of Brandywine Farms

Welcome to Our Official Website! Friends of Brandywine Farms was created to protect historic farm land and rural communities in West Brandywine Township and the surrounding area from high density residential and commercial development (AI data centers included!)

Our current focus is on stopping the proposed 238 unit 55+ age restricted development on 119 historic farm acres at 500 Hibernia Road. This development

Join us in the fight to protect this land and consider donating! Our organization is 100% composed of and funded by concerned neighbors and citizens like you!

History of the Land

According to our research, the 119 acres at 500 Hibernia Road was part of an 1850 acre settlement amassed by weaver George Harrison, who first settled in the area in 1744. Prior to Harrison, old maps mark it at the center of an Indian / Native American Settlement. It was later acquired by Samuel Downing, for whom Downingtown is named, and later, Charles Brooke. The Hibernia Estate at Hibernia Park, including the iron forge, are part of the original property. Much of the land has been protected, but this plot was purchased at auction in 2008 by an LLC. Now, in 2026, the owner reached an agreement with Toll Brothers to sell the property for development. Toll Brothers application has packed 238 age-restricted homes onto 119 acres of farmland, wetlands, and two streams that merge to feed into the Brandywine River water supply.

Why the proposed development must be stopped

This piece of farmland sits in a rural area between two rural roads. Adding 238 homes to this tract of land will strain the local infrastructure and change the accustomed way of life for this rural community while removing a part of our heritage, forever.
2 streams that flow into the upper west branch of the Brandywine Creek run through the property. The Brandywine River system is a critical water supply from Chester County to as far south as Wilmington, Delaware. There are also wetlands on the property that are a natural habitat of the bog turtle, an endangered species.
After the closing of the Brandywine Hospital, this location sits in the middle of a documented "Healthcare Desert". There are already 9 major senior living communities within a 5 mile radius, containing over 2500 homes and living units. Placing 238 additional homes in a corner between two rural roads will push an already strained emergency response system too far. This development represents a major Public Health and Safety Concern for everyone in the area.
There are no local fire hidrants on Manor and Hibernia Roads, nor is there a local water source besides the same water supply, the Brandywine River. During the 4 alarm fire at 400 HIbernia Road, fire trucks from across Chester, Lancaster, and Berks County had to transport 18 water tankers and 60,000 gallons of water to the scene. Much of this water was pumped from local pools and streams. Adding 238 homes at this location between Hibernia and Manor roads will place additional strain on fire departments in East Brandywine and Wagontown, another Public Health and Safety Concern.
This project is a poor investment for West Brandywine Township and its residents. According to the 2019 Chester County Return on Environment Study and Report supported by 16 participating organizations including the Chester County Economic Development Council and the Chester County Planning Commission, for every $1 raised in taxes from a residence, a Chester County township spends $1.11 on services. For every $1 raised from a farm or open space, the township spends 7 cents on services. 55+ residences place a greater demand on ALS and EMS services than non-age restricted residences. Furthermore, most residents in 55+ communities are retired, which means they pay ZERO local earned income tax.
Why do developers keep proposing 55+ communities? It's not because it's needed or because it benefits the township or the residence. It's because of a loophole in our local ordinance that SHOULD NOT EXIST! This loophole allows 2 homes per acre for 55+ communities, and allows these communities in R2 districts. R2 residences must maintain the "rural character" and be low density in nature. This high density development is not in keeping with the original intent of an R2 district, and its approval would represent a betrayal of the people who worked so hard to protect the rural nature of our community in the past.

What You Can Do To Stop It

Join our membership: Sign Up Here
Spread the word. In person (download flier here) and on social media (anyone on Facebook can refer to our Facebook Page). We need everbody in West Brandywine and beyond to get behind this effort to save this farmland. We need everyone to attend these hearings and consider donating (donate to our GoFundMe).
Attend the Hearings: Next Hearing Tuesday, Sept 29 @ 6PM, North Brandywine Middle School (256 Reeceville Road, Coatesville)
Get Party Status: Here

Friends of Brandywine Farms

Email: [ asm154@gmail.com]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/brandywinefarmsfriends

GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/preserve-brandywine-farmlands-for-future-generations