South Bryn Mawr Neighbors

Response to the Main Line Times Editorial 2-26-04

"NIMBY-pambys"

I was disappointed with the MLT characterization of neighborhood opposition to development as "NINBYISM". This is a gross oversimplification of the present situation in our township.

The residents of Lower Merion are not against all change and we believe in progress. But that progress should be for more people oriented design and not for projects that maximize the highest commercial value of land without regard to impact on an existing community.

Bryn Mawr, the town in which I live, is currently being battered by commercial, institutional and governmental interests which are intent upon the creation of an unprecidented scale of development which will significantly change my community. The Baldwin School is using a loophole in the historic zoning ordinance to build an athletic complex much larger than what would be allowed under the regular zoning ordinance impinging on the residential area around it. Lower Merion Township is proposing a change of zoning for Bryn Mawr which will significantly increase the densityof commercial development and MLH Realty is building upon that by proposing a commercial development of a truly staggering scale, requiring significant residential acquisition and demolition.