Chester County · Willistown Township · #SD-11-24-18322
Rock Hill Farm Acquisitions LLC – Open Space Subdivision
Willistown Township, PA · 23 homes, single-family homes · 246.7 acres
About this project
Subdivides two lots into 23 single-family lots on about 246.7 acres, with a new road and open space.
Official description: 2 lots into 23 SFR lots, a road, and open space.
- Plan type
- Subdivision
- Land use
- Single Family Residential
- Status
- Reviewed
Filing history
- 2024-11-15 · #SD-11-24-18322 · Subdivision · 23 lots/units
- 2024-02-05 · #SD-02-24-17984 · Subdivision · 24 lots/units
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
The developer proposes dividing about 247 acres of farmland, which is currently two lots in Willistown Township, into 23 single-family lots. The plan includes a new road and a large share of preserved open space. The land is the long-held Rock Hill Farm, near South Valley Road and Grubb Road.
The project has a long history. The township supervisors denied an earlier plan in September 2024. A Chester County judge reversed that denial in July 2026, finding that the township had applied an open-space rule to a zoning district that does not exist on its map. The township appealed. A local group has campaigned to keep the farm as open land.
In late summer 2026 a settlement was proposed. It would cut the plan to 18 lots, with about 166 acres under a conservation easement. The supervisors tabled the vote in September 2026. Later developments were not found, so the current plan may differ from the county filing.
What it could mean nearby
- Fewer homes and a large conserved area would keep most of the farm undeveloped under the settlement terms reported.
- A new road would serve the lots, so local traffic and access would change, though no traffic study was found.
- The township could buy a neighboring 24-acre parcel with open space funds if the settlement goes through.
Where it stands
The plan is caught between a court ruling for the developer and an appeal by the township. A settlement that would reduce the plan to 18 lots was tabled in September 2026. Approval would need both the township supervisors and the court, and a final vote date was not reported.
- Sep 2026 Township supervisors tabled a vote on the proposed 18-lot settlement.
- Aug 2026 Reports of a proposed settlement cutting the plan to 18 lots with conserved open space.
- Jul 15, 2026 County court reversed the township's 2024 denial of the developer's plan; the township appealed.
- Nov 15, 2024 Latest county filing for the 23-lot open space plan.
- Sep 2024 Township supervisors denied the earlier plan.
Want to weigh in? The Willistown Township Board of Supervisors decides on the settlement and the plan at its public meetings, where residents can comment, and the county court must also approve any settlement.
Who's behind it
Rock Hill Farm Acquisitions LLC · A land-holding company that bought the farm in 2021; no other projects or company website were found.
Around the web
- Rock Hill Farm Willistown preservationThe Philadelphia Inquirer · Sep 15, 2026Supervisors tabled a settlement that would cut the plan to 18 lots and conserve about 166 acres.
- Rock Hill Farm judge decisionThe Philadelphia Inquirer · Jul 20, 2026A county judge reversed the township's 2024 denial of the developer's plan.
- Rock Hill Farm settlement WillistownThe Philadelphia Inquirer · Aug 21, 2026Reported the proposed settlement with the developer.
Planning terms explained
- Open space subdivision
- A layout that allows smaller lots in return for permanently preserving a large part of the land.
- Conservation easement
- A legal restriction that permanently limits development on part of a property.
- Overlay
- An extra set of zoning rules applied on top of a property's base zoning district.
- Preliminary plan
- An early formal plan submitted for township review before final approval.
- Settlement
- An agreement that ends a lawsuit, here between the township and the developer.
Researched by AI from public sources on Nov 1, 2026. It can make mistakes, so check the linked sources and the municipality before relying on it.
Scope estimate for contractors
Estimated construction value: $12.9M
- ~736 roofing squares
- ~23 HVAC systems
- ~23 kitchens / 46+ bathrooms
- ~64,400 sq ft of finished living space
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