Whitemarsh Township Residents Association

Mission
Board of Directors
Brief History
Accomplishments
Position Papers

Mission Statement

The Whitemarsh Township Residents Association is a community-based, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that serves as a resource to township residents on land preservation, development, and revitalization issues. The WTRA advocates land use strategies aimed at preserving the township’s quality of life and distinctive character through maximum preservation of its remaining open space and natural resources, conservation-oriented approaches to new development, and quality-minded revitalization of existing developed areas. To this end, the WTRA works with local neighborhood groups to educate them about the development process and help them organize to preserve and protect their communities. It also monitors the activities and policies of the Township with regard to land development and preservation to ensure that they are aligned with the interests of the community.

WTRA Brochure

Join the WTRA

Board of Directors

Officers

Harriet A. Campbell, Vice President and Assistant Treasurer
Harriet is a resident of Flourtown and one of the initial organizers of the WTRA. She is employed as an executive with a group of local radio stations in a market research and information systems capacity. Harriet is a board member of the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association and the Whitemarsh Foundation. As vice president and assistant secretary of the WTRA, Harriet oversees the WTRA’s finances as well as managing the member database and community relations.

Deidra A. Lyngard, Secretary and Communications Director
A resident of Flourtown, Deidra has 20 years’ experience in nonprofit communications and publications production, including service with The Pew Charitable Trusts, a national foundation based in Philadelphia, and the Office of University Relations at Drexel University. She is currently the director of communications and marketing for Chestnut Hill Academy, a boys independent school in Philadelphia. Deidra manages the WTRA’s public communications. In addition, she serves as chair of the Whitemarsh Township Open Space Committee.

Directors

Anthony J. Hibbeln
Anthony is a resident of Flourtown. He is the principal engineer of Hibbeln Engineering Company, L.L.C. Anthony is a civil engineer, with expertise in computer modeling and programming. Over the past 15 years he has concentrated his efforts on all areas of site development, including site planning, land development design, storm water management facility design, and erosion and sedimentation control plans. He has provided engineering consulting and services to Lansdale Borough and Towamencin Township.

Brief History

Established in the summer of 2000, the WTRA grew out of a grassroots effort by a small group of residents who became concerned about a proposed development in the area around Erdenheim Farm and the Quarry. Since then, the organization has steadily grown in membership and scope. Today, it assists residents throughout the township who are concerned about the impacts of development and preserving open

Since its founding, the WTRA has steadfastly advocated for a revisioning and revamping of Township planning policies and legislation to make them more sup

space.portive of smart growth and open space preservation. It has also taken a strong role in opposing inappropriate development in the Township and working toward win-win solutions that advance the long-term vision of township residents while respecting the rights of landowners. In an effort to empower and educate residents, the WTRA hosts informational workshops and serves as a resource to smaller neighborhood groups seeking to fight a development in their area.

The WTRA’s strong public service orientation has served as a magnet and springboard for residents wishing to contribute to their community. Several members of the organization have gone on to serve formal roles within the Township, including as members of the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Environmental Advisory Board and Open Space Committee.

Accomplishments

The WTRA’s record of service to the community includes initiatives that are helping to preserve open space, strengthen the voice of residents, and improve Township policies and ordinances controlling growth. Among the WTRA’s accomplishments are the following:

Worked to improve or prevent inappropriate development

• Helped mobilize community to defeat significant corporate center proposal targeted for rural heart of the township
• Negotiated Community Agreement with developer of proposed continuing care retirement community enabling resiting and reconfiguring of project so as to preserve critical viewsheds, more than 40% open space, and large section of woodland
• Negotiated Community Agreement with developer of proposed office complex in residential area of township enabling switch to townhome plan, commitment to install  and commiting developer to meet certain conditions, including appropriate buffers, preservation and restoration of wooded area, and resitingof project away from floodplain

Helped preserve open space

• Negotiated the establishment of The Whitemarsh Foundation whose mission is to preserve portions of Erdenheim Farm as permanently protected open space
• Helped secure an option from the owner of Erdenheim Farm for 97 acres to be purchased by The Whitemarsh Foundation
• Helped develop and secure support for an innovative tax funding mechanism (TIF), which will apply a portion of real estate tax revenues toward the purchase of a portion of Erdenheim Farm

Educated the public on development, environmental and public policy issues

• Sponsored pre-election Meet the Candidates forums for residents to hear from candidates running for Board of Supervisors
• Published and distributed informational brochures about the candidates prior to elections for Whitemarsh Board of Supervisors and state representative for 148th District
• Produced and distributed a community residents’ handbook on How to be an Effective Advocate for Your Community and Help Shape its Future

Advocated for new public policies and ordinances to protect environment

• Developed and presented to the Township a comprehensive policy paper outlining a set of strategies for ensuring the preservation of open space and appropriate future development, many of which have been adopted or are currently being pursued:
• An Open Space Fund has been created
• The Township’s Comprehensive Plan has been revised toincorporate Growing Greener and Smart Growth principles
• The Township Subdivision and Land Development ordinances are being rewritten to incorporate Growing Greener and Smart Growth principles
• A special Riparian Corridor Protection Ordinance has been created to protect the Township’s critical watersheds and wetlands
• A Shade Tree Ordinance has been created to protect existing important growth and set standards for new development
• An Environmental Advisory Board has been established to advise the Township on environmental issues

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  WTRA Position Papers

Policy Brief: A Comprehensive Vision for Whitemarsh

Development Principles