Was the referendum successful?

Yes! Westtown Township residents voted overwhelmingly for the creation of an Open Space Fund (by a margin of two to one!) that will support the preservation of Crebilly Farm.

Can I visit Crebilly Farm now?

No, Crebilly Farm is still under private ownership and not open to the public. The eastern portion of the property will become a Westtown Township-owned nature preserve open to the public, but not until the Township purchases that land and opens it up to visitors. The western portion of the property—the section that will have four, permanently protected lots with four homes on them—will always be private property even after the Robinson family sells those lots.

When will the Township buy the 206 acres that will become a nature preserve?

Westtown Township now has until March 31, 2024, to close on the bonds needed to fund the acquisition of the 206 acres. The original deadline was extended by the owners, the Robinson Family, and the township.

Those bonds will provide about 25% of the purchase price for the land. The additional funding that will be required to finalize the purchase is slated to come from federal, state, and county grants. Those grants are likely to be announced throughout 2023. The purchase would follow.

When will we learn if funding grants will be awarded toward the preservation of Crebilly Farm?

The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has already announced an award of $2,000,000 for Crebilly Farm. We anticipate an additional PA DCNR award in January, 2023, and final state funding to be awarded in fall of 2023. We hope to hear very soon from Chester County regarding their funding award.

What will that nature preserve look like, and will I have a say in decisions made about the preserve plans?

Westtown Township has stated that they intend to solicit residents’ input as part of a planning process for the nature preserve. For that reason, no details have been finalized.

When will the conservation easements be completed on the four lots on the western side of Crebilly Farm?

The conservation easement language is currently being finalized between Natural Lands and the landowner.

Finalization of the conservation easements is also contingent on Township Open Space funds and Chester County grant funds being received. Therefore, the timing for protection of the easement lots will likely be sometime in 2023.

What will the conservations easements allow and what will the conservation easements prohibit?

Each lot will be allowed a single primary dwelling, accessory dwelling (in-law suite or garage apartment), barn, and miscellaneous outbuildings. Fields may be farmed or pastured; and wetlands, woods, and streams will remain in their natural state. No further subdivision will be allowed.

Who will monitor the conservations easements for compliance, and who will have the right to enforce the conservation easement restrictions?

Natural Lands will hold the conservation easements and monitor the properties annually to ensure the terms of the easements are being upheld. Should a violation occur, Natural Lands will work to resolve the issue and bring the property back into compliance.

Conservation easements are perpetual legal agreements, which means every successive owner of the properties will be subject to the terms of the easements.

Who will own those four lots?

The Robinson family currently owns these lots and will continue to own them after the conservation easements are placed on them. The Robinsons plan to sell these lots to private buyers. Interested parties may contact Lisa Yakulis, the realtor the family has engaged to sell these lots: www.lisayakulis.com.

I’ve heard there might still be a funding gap; why is that?

Natural Lands, at the behest of the Robinsons and Westtown Township, has applied for the maximum grant funding from those federal, state, and county programs for which this conservation project is eligible. Even if all the funds are granted, there will likely be an approximate $2 million shortfall between the purchase price and the funding generated.

What is the plan to fill that shortfall?

Natural Lands will fundraise by soliciting donations from private individuals and foundations.

Many people have already donated to this preservation effort—most recently for the Vote Yes to Save Crebilly campaign to raise awareness about the referendum vote on November 8. To avoid confusion and not have more than one private fundraising campaign ongoing simultaneously, Natural Lands has not yet begun soliciting donors.

Experts from Natural Lands have recommended waiting until all grants have been announced, so we know exactly the size of the funding gap before beginning a private fundraising campaign.

I want to donate toward the preservation of Crebilly Farm; how can I do so?

Please visit Natural Lands’ website at www.natlands.org/crebillyfarm to make a tax-deductible donation.