Open Space Committee

The East Coventry Township Open Space Committee was established by Resolution No. 2011-24 adopted September 12, 2011, within which you may find a list of the powers and responsibilities of the Open Space Committee.  The Open Space Committee is to be composed of seven (7) members which are appointed by the Board of Supervisors for four-year terms. The Committee meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Township Building.

MEMBERS

Karen Nocella (Chair); Parks, Recreation and Conservation Committee Representative Term: 01/05/26 - 12/31/29
Eric Hughes (Vice Chair)     
Term: 01/03/23 - 12/31/26
Larry Tietjen; Historical Commission Representative
  Term: 01/5/26 - 12/31/29
Stephen Schur  (At Large Member)
 Term: 01/05/26 - 12/31/29
David Rishel
 Term: 06/10/25 - 12/31/28
Illeana Casiano-Vazquez; Board of Supervisors Representative
 Term: 01/05/26 - 12/31/29
Meaghan Wright, Planning Commission Representative
 Term:  01/06/25 - 12/31/28

Did you know that East Coventry Township has funding to preserve open space - like farmland and property with other important natural resources - in our community? When you preserve open space, you help protect the rural character and history that surrounds us. Are you interested in learning more about open space preservation in East Coventry and the compensation available for protecting land? Do you want to know if your property is a good candidate for preservation? If so, please monitor this page for educational resources and information about future committee events. Feel free to reach out to Karen Nocella (nocella1953@gmail.com) and Eric Hughes (erichughes8991@gmail.com) for more information or with any questions!

Generally, the process for placing property into conservation consists of the following steps:

  1. Property Owner submits a formal request to the Township Manager for its consideration to put his/her property into a conservation and/or trail easements.
  2. Township Open Space Committee will evaluate the requested easements and make a recommendation for the Board of Supervisors' consideration.
  3. If the Board of Supervisors wishes to proceed with the acquisition, then the Township Manager contacts the Property Owner to discuss the next steps.
  4. Property Owner selects the Conservancy he/she wants to work with.
  5. Township executes the Conservancy’s Proposal.
  6. Conservancy orders an appraisal.
  7. Property Owner decides whether to proceed based on the appraisal.
  8. If there is a “not to proceed” decision by the Property Owner, then the process ends. If there is a “to proceed” decision by the Property Owner, then a title report is ordered.
  9. If the property has a mortgage, then the Property Owner will need to get the mortgage company’s consent.
  10. Township orders a Phase 1 Environmental Report.
  11. Conservancy pursues available grants to offset the expenditure.
  12. Board of Supervisors holds a public hearing before acting on expending Open Space Funds.
  13. If the expenditure is approved by the Board of Supervisors, then settlement is held.