Chatham's Master Plan for Eden Hall Received Favorably

Chatham University received a generally favorable response Wednesday night to the master plan for its Eden Hall campus.

About 90 people attended a public hearing before the Richland Board of Supervisors regarding a conditional use request for the 388-acre campus.

No action was taken. The hearing was continued until 7 p.m. April 20 at the to give more time for the planning commission to study the plan and send a recommendation to the supervisors.

Chatham University President Dr. Esther L. Barazzone gave an overview of the plans to turn Eden Hall Farm into "the first sustainable campus in the world."

She said the transformation of the campus will take decades and cost millions of dollars (see video) and construction is expected to begin this summer.

Answering questions raised at the hearing, Barazzone said Chatham is a stable institution. She also emphasized the university's commitment to being a good neighbor and transforming the farm into a campus that fits in with the community.

Residents who live on the roads adjacent to the campus -- Ridge, State and Glasgow -- gave the plan a generally favorable review, but asked questions about how development of the land will affect traffic, lighting and wells.

Specifically, they asked why parking lots are planned for Glasgow Road and if those lots can be moved to another part of the campus.

Andrew Knox of Glasgow Road asked why parking lots are planned for the perimeter of the campus. Even though the university plans landscaping to act as a buffer between the campus and its neighbors, those plantings will take time to mature, neighbors pointed out.

"I'm still going to see a parking lot," said Knox.

Other speakers praised the university's plans.

"How fortunate we are to have Chatham University here," said Dave Geis of Cunningham Road, who said he taught classes about the environment during his years as a Fox Chapel teacher.

The land could have gone to someone who would use and abuse it, he said. 

David Mihalyi of Glasgow Road questioned how the development will affect water tables and suggested imposing a bond on the university to cover the cost of redrilling wells on neighboring properties if the water tables are affected.

"We all live off well water," he said.

Senior landscape architect Chris Mendel of Andropogon Associates explained that the university does not plan to drill on the site, and he referred to an existing water tower as a water source.

After hearing comments from local residents about various topics, Mendel said the planners need to "go back and do our homework on this."

He said they will come back with alternatives.

Chatham's master plan will be reviewed again by the Richland Planning Commission on March 21 at 7 p.m. Residents will have opportunities then and at the April 20 Board of Supervisors meeting to comment on it.

to see an overview story about the Eden Hall Master Plan.