Upper Darby Township Council Special Meeting August 12th, 2026

The Upper Darby Township Council held a special meeting on August 12, 2026, primarily focused on the proposed development of the Misino Forest tract, a 15-acre area of unmaintained forest growth. The meeting featured extensive public commentary expressing concerns about environmental preservation, traffic, health impacts, and the potential loss of green space. The council and township officials discussed the zoning amendment process to create a new Community Mixed-Use (CMU) district that would allow a mix of housing types and commercial uses on the property. The developer, Rockwell Drexel LLC, presented their proposal and expressed willingness to negotiate with the township, including potential sale of the property for $8 million. The Environmental Advisory Committee highlighted the ecological importance of the tract and urged for more time to assess environmental impacts and funding options for preservation. After deliberation, the council voted to table the zoning amendment to allow further exploration of preservation funding and development options. No final zoning or development approvals were made during this meeting, but the discussion set the stage for future procurement and funding considerations related to land acquisition and conservation efforts.