x – Meeting Minutes – May 10, 2011

HAVERFORD CIVIC ASSOCIATION
Meeting of the Board of Directors
May 10, 2011
Merion Cricket Club

MINUTES (PDF Version)

The meeting convened at 7:30 PM, chaired by President Wayne Hunt

Attending: Wayne Hunt, President; Stephen Billings, 1st V.P.; Lorraine Jones, Treasurer; Jane Carton, Secretary; Struthers Cooper, Kirsten Humann, Anne Mezey, Andy Orr, Karen Shapiro, Lee Tabas

Commissioners: Cheryl Gelber, Steven Lindner, Scott Zelov

Apologies: Tash Duff, George McFarland, Tom Wilkinson

No Response: Shelly Brietling, Elizabeth Kuensell, Stephen Lee, Francis Leto, Esq., Cary McClain, Steven Mezrow, Carol Rando, Polly Richman, Paul Simpson, Vinnie West

1. Approval of Minutes of the April 12, 2011 meeting – The minutes were approved as written, motioned by Lee Tabas.

2. Treasurer’s Report – Lorraine Jones reported that available funds amount to $5,696.03. Lorraine asked for a motion to approve a payment for dues in the amount of $75.00 to the Lower Merion Community Watch. Stephen Billings moved the motion.

3. Update of the Art in Sharpe Park event – Jane Carton reported that she met with the Garden Workers on May 9th to map out the appropriate placement for artists and vendors to set up. A sign up sheet was passed around asking for volunteer participation to check in and guide artists to their designated location and to help unload their merchandise, as well as personnel to handle the sales of food. Jane thanked Lee for his diligent contribution in getting Septa to donate 100 parking spaces in their adjoining lots for artists and attendees usage. Andy Orr placed the announcement on our website, which attracted several artists’ interest in joining up. The board thanked Commissioner Lindner, who will announce the event at the May 11th BOC meeting. Jane thanked Commissioner Gelber for her assistance in obtaining artists and Commissioner Zelov for his communiqués to Lindsay Taylor requesting that the park be readied for the event.

4. Plantings for Haverford Train Station and Railroad Ave. containers – Jane reported that she and Tash Duff will oversee the planting and maintenance of the two containers sponsored by HCA. Jane thanked Lee for reinforcing the placement of the 2010 Pennsylvania Horticultural Streetscape Award sign in the central flower bed on Station Rd. A second sign will be installed back-to-back of the existing sign for the visibility of vehicle and foot traffic heading north.

5. Federation of Civics Report – Struthers Cooper, Civics liaison and a board member of the Lower Merion Community Watch, spoke of the need for Haverford residents to volunteer for this partnership with the Lower Merion police to provide extra “eyes and ears” for their ongoing crime prevention effort. Stephen Billings invited interested citizens to visit the website at http://www.lmcommunitywatch.org. Stephen’s verbal notes on the highlights of the May 9th meeting were subsequently reported in the Commissioner’s Reports as follows:

6. Commissioners’ Reports –

Steven Lindner (Ward 4)

• Steven displayed the 2010 Annual Police Report. Currently there are eight open positions, including that of a sergeant. Superintendent McGrath has made a recommendation not to fill the positions at this time. There has been no reduction in police patrol officer.
• The Ardmore Infinity car dealership has been found in violation of conditions of approval of land use.
• The owner of the vacated 421 West Lancaster Avenue residence will be taken to court on a long standing non-compliance zoning issue concerning property negligence.
• Steven invited neighbors and the Civic Associations to march with, or attend, the U S Air Force Honor Guard in the Ardmore Memorial Day parade, which will get underway at the Township Building at 11:15 a.m.

Cheryl Gelber (Ward 5)

• Cheryl announced that the June 3rd “Ardmore First Friday” event will feature a parade of classic cars.
• Dunkin’ Donuts has applied for a building permit to open a fast food restaurant, without drive in service, in the former gym located at Penn and Wynnewood Roads. All members present expressed concern over potential problems such as the turning radius, in and out traffic and the lack of adequate parking spaces.
• The Ad Hoc Ardmore Committee presented a new two part concept plan on April 21st, which was supported by community residents, business owners and the participating civics. The plan would include building a mixed use retail/residence development in the Cricket Avenue lot on the south side. A four, or five, level parking garage next to the train station .A mini Main Street located behind the existing Lancaster Avenue stores and restaurants would enhance and promote pedestrian traffic on the north side of Lancaster Avenue. The issue will be brought before the Lower Merion Commissioners at a special meeting of the Economic Revitalization Committee on May 25th.
• The Human Relations Commission has obtained seven highly qualified Lower Merion residents for nomination to serve on the HRC. Approval of the nominations will take place at the BOC meeting on May 18.
• The City Avenue Corridor Rezoning Plan remains a challenge between builders and the neighboring residents. Commercial property owners claim that the vacancy rate has climbed to 20% with tenants moving to newer complexes in Conshohocken and Radnor. Residents of nearby Bala Cynwyd and Merion remain concerned with the certain prospect of higher building heights and the impact of traffic density. Traffic studies with a rating ratio of A to F, have determined that the intersections located within the proposed City Avenue footprint are functioning insufficiently and have been, or will be, rated “F.” An expectation of funding from City and State traffic impact fees to improve these intersections is in question, as the monies expected from both for the Rock Hill Road overlay and the Belmont Avenue entrance to the expressway have never been paid.

Scott Zelov (Ward 10)

• The Cynwyd Heritage Trail symbolic groundbreaking was celebrated on May 5th, making what will ultimately be a two mile linear trailway, the 44th Township public park, running from Cynwyd Station to the Schuylkill River.
• The Sensory Garden in Wynnewood was officially dedicated on May 3rd. Braille labeled scented plants and trees abound in this park designed for sight impaired people to enjoy by feeling and smelling the fragrance all year round.
• Linwood Park, located at Linwood and Athens Avenue in Ardmore, will celebrate its first anniversary on Friday, May 20th.at 6 p.m.
• The public is invited to attend the Five Points Intersection Project ribbon cutting ceremony on May 13th at 8:30 a.m. The much improved traffic flow has been achieved by installing dedicated left hand lanes in both directions on County Line Rd.
• “Bryn Mawr 100” will take place on Saturday, September 10th to celebrate the eighteen institutions within Bryn Mawr aged 100 years, or older. All-day activities are planned to take place on sidewalks within the town and the central parking lot adjacent to the Post Office.
• The Ludington Library renovation is on schedule and on budget. It is hoped that completion will coincide with the “Bryn Mawr 100” celebration.

7. Old Business – None

8. New Business – None

9. Adjournment – The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Next board meeting – Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at 7:30 p.m at the Merion Cricket Club.

All Haverford residents are welcome!

Respectfully submitted,

Jane Carton, Secretary

May 12, 2011