Why the History of Pennhurst Matters
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Cupola at the Pennhurst Main Administration Building
Land-use and zoning decisions are rarely isolated moments; they are part of a continuum that shapes what a community becomes—and what it can protect. Understanding the history of Pennhurst, including how land was conveyed, zoning was changed, and regional planning tools were set aside, provides essential context for today’s zoning and data center discussions and underscores why informed citizen engagement remains critical.
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Land Disposition and Public Stewardship
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In the late 1980s, the Pennsylvania Department of General Services publicly advertised portions of the Pennhurst property for sale. As a result, the original Pennhurst campus was divided among public and private uses.
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• Spring Hollow Golf Course — approximately 113+ acres, deed restricted
• Valley Farm — approximately 127+ acres, permanently preserved
• 100 acres purchased by private owner Richard Chakejian in 2008, and subsequently owned by Derek Strine, Todd Beringer, and Matt Hertzog in 2016
Additional key public assets were transferred or retained. East Vincent Township acquired Independence Park (approximately 96 acres) for $1. The Owen J. Roberts School District acquired 20 acres, now owned by American Water. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania retained approximately 111 acres, where the Southeastern Veterans Center and the State Armory are located today.
Preservation and Economic Viability Efforts
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Following the advancement of the haunted attraction in 2010, preservation advocates including the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia worked to demonstrate that the Pennhurst campus could be protected through economically viable adaptive reuse rather than large-scale industrial development and created a Conceptual Plan for Reuse The Pennhurst Memorial and Preservation Alliance (PMPA) advanced a preservation-based vision centered on heritage tourism, education, and compatible reuse of the historic core campus. These efforts demonstrated that viable, preservation-oriented alternatives were actively pursued and available within the planning framework. The Pennhurst Campus is designated as “eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well in 2008 it is cited permanently as “At Risk of Demolition." See page 10:
Furthermore, in October of 2025, the Pennhurst Memorial Preservation Alliance (PMPA) has requested that the property be preserved and memorialized as a site of Social Conscience. PMPA continues to support the preservation of Pennhurst. Today, the buildings are at the highest risk for complete demolition.
Zoning Changes and Long-Term Consequences
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In the fall of 2010, area residents and PMPA challenged the allowance of a haunted attraction on the Pennhurst property. The decision permitting the attraction to continue was upheld by the Chester County Court of Common Pleas. Richard Chakejian was represented by attorneys Ryan Costello and Michael Murray from the law firm OWM O’Donnell, Weiss & Mattei.Following that ruling, a zoning change of the Pennhurst area was requested to change it from Low Residential to Industrial Mixed Use (IMU). The zoning change was requested and drafted by the property owner’s attorney, Ryan Costello—a former chairman of the East Vincent Board of Supervisors.
The 2011 municipal election proved pivotal, with Jane Peronteau winning by just 34 votes following a campaign that included Ryan Costello’s involvement, and five unusual “attack” mailings funded by the Chester County Republican Committee against Saul Rivkin, Chair of the East Vincent Historical Commission and a member of the Pennhurst Memorial and Preservation Alliance, who had publicly advocated for preservation of the Pennhurst campus.
In the summer of 2012, Township Supervisors Mark Dunphy and Jane Peronteau approved the IMU zoning change by a 2–1 vote. McNeil cast the sole opposing vote in a room filled with objecting citizens.
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Regional Planning and Its Lasting Impacts
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East Vincent Township was a founding member of the Phoenixville Regional Plan. In 2010, the Township withdrew from the Regional Plan following a 2–1 vote. Supervisors John Funk and Mark Dunphy voted in favor of withdrawal: even rejecting a six-month hiatus to resolve the issue. Their reasons were misleading: they stated that the Plan would control the open space decisions and general oversight. The Regional Plan recommendations were advisory, just like the County Planning Commission. The issue surrounded the 90 acres owned by Paul Bucco and represented by Wayne Grafton, at 1241W. Bridge Street. A 5 story 875-unit 1,000 parking space including a CCRC, rezoning request which was outside of the Phoenixville Planning Growth Boundary and in the Rural Conservation Zoning District and the PA High Quality Stony Run Watershed. McNeil cast the opposing vote, again to the dismay of a packed room of citizens. This action weakened the Township tremendously because we then had to provide for every Zoning use in our boundaries instead of standing united in a regional plan of shared uses.
Taken together, the Pennhurst zoning changes and the withdrawal from regional planning illustrate how incremental decisions made over time now shape the scope, scale, and constraints of today’s zoning and data center discussions.
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Why Civic Engagement Still Matters
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Understanding the history of Pennhurst and the planning decisions that shaped its future is essential to informed civic engagement. Choices about land disposition, zoning, and regional coordination carry long-term consequences for residents, veterans, and the character of East Vincent Township. Staying informed and involved helps ensure that decisions are transparent, grounded in precedent, and aligned with the public interest.An engaged citizenry remains one of the strongest safeguards for maintaining the integrity, accountability, and values of East Vincent Township—now and for generations to come.
