Commish Meeting 6/16/08

This was a lengthy meeting due to a discussion regarding the installation of sidewalks along Chamounix Rd from the Train Station to the entrance of Eastern University. As usual, we got to see some of the more negative aspects of the public (and Commissioners). Included were unsupported claims, revisionist history and dismissal of any thing that doesn't support ones position. I was really taken aback by the suggestion that only the folks in the second ward had valid opinions.
There was one aspect of the discussion by those opposed to the sidewalk and that was the lack of "Process". There apparently was no notice to the affected property owners and no public discussion of the final design for the sidewalk. This being said, I support the sidewalk. I was really fascinated that we have NIMFY in addition to NIMBYs (eg Not in My Front Yard). Commissioner Spingler said it best when he suggested that 90% of folks are in favor of sidewalks but 80% don't want them in front of their homes. This was certainly borne out in the discussions.
Radnor claims to value walkability (particularly in the Wayne-St Davids area) and has included this issue in the Comprehensive Plan. We also have been making efforts to make transit options available so that we can reduce traffic (Transit oriented development, for example). The issue is simply public safety and ease of access to/from the train station. The University is paying for the sidewalk and it is proposed to be constructed within the right of way. It really is a no brainer and will serve both the neighbors and the University.
However, to go back to the process issue, what is the best way to construct the sidewalk with minimum impact of the properties? Can we avoid destroying mature beautiful trees (which represent another of our community values)? What is the best "surface"? How wide?

There was a lot of discussion about the presence of a sidewalk on the western side of Chamounix. It was further noted that the sidewalk was irregular and difficult to walk on, particularly in bad weather. I mention this because this is not the first time during these types of discussions that I noted that we are not enforcing our codes. Another recent example of this was the issue of the demo of the houses on Bloomingdale. In this case the houses were considered to be is such bad condition that they need to be torn down BUT not so bad that folks can't live in them. We do have codes regarding building maintenance.

There was another item on the agenda which also had "public involvement" sub-text. This was the approval of the construction of the new park on the D'Antonio tract and Liberty Lane. Several folks commented that they did not know about the construction. In this case there had been plenty of opportunity for these folks to know about the project. There were Ward Meeting, direct contact with many of the neighbors, Parks and Rec Board Meetings, and also prior discussions at Commissioners' Meetings. During my 13 years on Parks and Rec there were more times than I can count where folks did not pay attention until the "bulldozer showed up".

By the way, I did not hear any questioning about the cost of the "comfort station" ($95,000)