Ardmore's Fountain Reverts to Statue; Residents Given More Time on City Ave. Rezoning

The Lower Merion Township Board of Commissioners delayed a vote to schedule a public hearing and take action on the City Avenue rezoning proposal for a third time Wednesday night, but agreed to hold a public hearing in July on establishing a traffic impact fee for the City Avenue Transportation Service Area.

The ordinance was on the agenda for a special meeting of the Board's Building and Planning Committee, but when the public arrived at the meeting they were greeted by signs informing them that action on a hearing was being postponed.

Board of Commissioners President Liz Rogan said the matter was tabled because “it was the request of the community to set up more public workshops and that’s what we’re going to do.”

The rezoning ordinance proposes changes in use along City Avenue in Bala Cynwyd, in an effort to increase commercial development. Although taken off the agenda, members of the public still spoke about it during the public comment period, and the commissioners themselves discussed it for nearly an hour.

Commissioner Jenny Brown said she wanted to make sure the City Avenue rezoning would not be on the agenda again until the “groundwork has been done.”

“I think we need to give some people some idea of what the plan is. … Make sure you’ve brought the community along before you bring it again before the board.”

The Board did vote, 8-4 to hold a public hearing and adopt an ordinance amendment on July 27, in order to establish a development traffic impact fee for the City Avenue Transportation Service Area. Commissioners Brian Gordon, Lewis Gould, Philip Rosenzweig and Brown cast the dissenting votes. (Before the vote, Gould proposed tabling it until the City Avenue rezoning comes before the board, to no avail.)

The traffic impact fee would be charged for any new development in the Transportation Service Area that generates additional traffic during the afternoon peak hour, and the money would be used for off-site roadway improvements within the district. 

The Board also took action on several other matters last night, many of which have been discussed at length recently by the Commission’s various committees and members of the public that spoke at the committee meetings:

Ardmore Transit Center

The Board of Commissioners also approved two issues concerning the Ardmore Transit Center proposal, voting 9-3 to choose "Option 2," provided that sufficient funds are available to close the funding gap of $20 million to $23 million. If the funding gap cannot be closed, the Board could proceed with option 3. Brown, Gould and Rosenzweig dissented.

Option 2 for the Ardmore Transit Center is a proposal which would include a new train station, tunnel, transit improvements, retail space at the transit center and a four-level parking garage; as well as a mixed-use development and parking on Cricket Avenue.

Option 3 would defer the new train station and transit improvements until additional funding could be identified, but would include the parking garage and  Cricket Avenue development.

The Board also voted 10-2 to approve a 120-day extension (through October 31) of the development agreement with Dranoff Properties. Commissioners Gould and Brown voted against the extension.

Township Checkbook Register Online

The Board approved, with an 8-4 vote, placing the township checkbook online with any confidential disbursements redacted.  The register will be available in a PDF and downloadable format. Commissioners Daniel Bernheim, Richard Churchill, Rogan and Steven Lindner cast the dissenting votes.

At a June 2 Finance Committee meeting, several residents spoke in favor of putting the checkbook register online, saying that it would allow for transparency.  Only one resident spoke against it and questioned why residents needed to see what is in the checkbook.

Bryn Mawr Moviegoers Gain Additional Long-term Parking

Residents will soon see three-hour meters in Lot # 10 in Bryn Mawr, on the south side of Lancaster Avenue. The Bryn Mawr Film Institute requested the change because the existing meters did not provide enough time patrons of its daily matinees. The Board voted 11-1 (with Lindner voting no) in favor of amending a township code to provide the meters.

Contract approved for library security system

The board voted 9-4 in favor of signing on with Sentry Technology Corp. to install a library materials security, asset management and self check-out system for the six Lower Merion libraries, at a cost of $668,420.

Commissioner George Manos arrived at the meeting late, in time to vote on the library issue, but was not present for the board’s other votes. Commissioner Jane Dellheim was absent from the meeting.  Commissioners Brown, Gould, Rosenzweig and Zelov voted against the proposal.

Ardmore 'Fountain'

In other business, the Commission learned that Ardmore’s new $135,000 fountain in front of the Ardmore branch of the Bryn Mawr Trust had to be turned off, four days after it was first turned on.

Township Manager Doug Cleland said the fountain (which began flowing on June 10) had to be turned off Tuesday because it may have a leak in its base. Also, it may not be level, causing flow problems.

Cleland said the Township is working with contractors to resolve the issues.

Other Action

The Board also approved several items by consent calendar, meaning there were not requests from any member of the board for a separate discussion on the agenda item.

As part of the consent calendar the Board approved:

• The expansion of the Clover Market in Ardmore—to include a section of Cricket Terrace between Rittenhouse Place and South Cricket Terrace, on three Sundays in October and November this fall. The market will be assessed a one-time $90 fee to close a section of public roadway.
• Amending the existing conservation easement to permit the installation of additional signage at Idlewild Farm, at Williamson and Black Rock roads, in Gladwyne.
• Authorizing a permit to demolish the main house, stable addition and pool house at 1316 Monk Road in Gladwyne.
• A request to construct an open porch on the front elevation of 617 Williamson Road, Idlewild Farm, in Gladwyne.
• The appointment of Marc Vitale to the Planning Commission to fill the unexpired term of Laura Shell, through February 2014.
• The appointment of Joshua Grimes as an alternate member of the Zoning Hearing Board for a three-year term, to expire January 2014.