Both claim to have the public s interest at heart. Both have brought lawyers. Toll says it will go to court if necessary to build Thornbury Woods, a community of 124 luxury four-bedroom homes on the Horse Farm. Thornbury Township has zoned the land for one house on every two acres.
Toll wants to use the township s cluster-development ordinance to exceed that density.
Fighting the plan is the Concerned Citizens of Thornbury Township, a group of about 400 residents, some from a community founded 53 years ago by Quaker activists. It has posted signs that say Stop Reckless Development and Toll Bros. Again, Strike Back. Group members say that what s proposed would imperil fragile ecosystems on the Horse Farm s steep slopes and wetlands and in its woods. They fear a loss of habitat for foxes, muskrat and great blue herons.