Development Would Provide Connector for Horsham's PECO Power Line Trail

Development professionals say the eastern box turtle would be protected, but a Horsham wild life enthusiast disagrees.

The Horsham Township Council is remaining mum on the matter – at least for now. The governing body on Wednesday tabled review and consideration of the eight-lot , which is located at 515 Lower State Road.

Prior to tabling further review until its Sept. 26 meeting, the council held a conditional use hearing to determine whether or not the applicant should be permitted to cross two streams with a roadway and driveway. No action was taken.

“The waterways and natural creek bottom will not be impacted,” Timothy P. Woodrow, president of Woodrow and Associates municipal/civil consulting engineers, said during the hearing.

Woodrow added that the property’s proposed six stormwater management rain gardens would offer natural plantings, area for water filtration, as well as habitats for various plant and animal life, including the eastern box turtle. “A great deal of protection” would be offered, Woodrow said.

But, Ret Turner, who has spoken at previous government meetings, urged the council to deny the development plan because of the purported harm to turtles.

Turner, who said he lives about a half mile away from the property, said he got interested about two years ago.

“I started noticing that they still exist,” Turner said of the turtles. “They used to be common in Horsham and now they’re almost gone.”

According to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, eastern box turtles are a “species of concern” in the state and therefore can not be taken, caught or killed. Turner stressed this several times during his comments to the council.

Turner also requested that the rear portion of the property be permanently preserved.

“It’s all our natural heritage,” Turner said.

If the plans do move forward, in addition to seven homes, officials said the back portion of the property would be used to connect the existing PECO Power Line Trail. With that addition, Township Manager Bill Walker said previously that the trail would be about seven miles in length and would reach Montgomery Township.