HAVERFORD CIVIC ASSOCIATION

MINUTES OF APRIL 13, 2010 BOARD MEETING

ATTENDEES.  Wayne Hunt, President;   Anne Mezey, Federation of Civics Liaison;  Yasmin Leclerc; Jane Carton;  Tash Duff;  Karen Shapiro;  Kerstin Humann; Carol Rando; Andrew Orr;  Clif Payne; Lee Tabas; Tom Wilkinson; Andy Orr; Commissioner V. Scott Zelov, Commission Cheryl Gelber, Esq. and Commissioner Steven Lindner

MARCH MEETING MINUTES.  The March, 2010 meeting minutes were approved. 

COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT.  Commissioners Zelov, Gelber and Lindner reported the following:

Commissioner Zelov

  • Dolobran, a private residence on Laurel Lane, will be upgraded to a Class I resource, with exception of the rear ballroom that is in disrepair and will be razed.

 

  • Bryn Mawr Acme.  As discussed in earlier meetings, the use of the “alley” behind the former Jaguar dealership and Food Source continues to be an unresolved issue /  topic of discussion.

 

  • Improvements to the five (5) point intersection in Bryn Mawr is approved and construction to commence in approximately three (3) – four (4) weeks.

 

  • The Bryn Mawr concert series will continue in 2010.

 

  • On May 8, 2010, the Bryn Mawr Farmers’ Market will open for the season.

 

  • The Haverford township / Bryn Mawr billboard issue continues with the next Haverford township meeting on May 6th.

 

  • On May 22, the billboard at the five (5) point intersection (above the Sun Cleaners) will come before the Zoning board.

 

  • The 2011 township budget is underway and the commissioners will present suggestions and study suggestions for staff.  Some suggestions to control expenses include i). a reduction in the existing fleet of 240 township owned vehicles; ii). an increase in the vehicle useful life through an increase in the replacement cycle; iii). comparative staff compensation and benefits with comparisons to other townships, counties and the private sector on include overtime and benefits.

 

  • The “workers association” (non police) contract expires December 31, 2010.

 

Commissioner Gelber

  • The Clover Market in Ardmore had it inaugural opening this past Sunday to great fanfare and local interest.  Management is analyzing the sales to determine / fine tune the product mix.  Many local businesses experienced an increase in sales as a result of the market.  The next market will be on April 24th.

 

  • The YMCA will acquire the Swell Bubble Gum site in Havertown and plans call for a large swimming pool.  Coordination with the Ardmore pool users is anticipated.

 

  • All parking meters in township business districts will be replaced.  The intended replacement calls for the use of “smart cards” that can be “loaded” with funds. 

 

  • Ideas to save money are always welcome – contact your commissioner with your reasonable thoughts.

 

  • English Village in Wynnewood will be upgraded from a Class II resource to a Class I resource and will become a “Historic District.”  Some 95% of the residents supported the Class I  designation.

 

  • The “Farmers Market Ordinance” where a farmers’ market could be located within a residentially zoned district was defeated.  It was, however, approved for commercially zoned districts.

 

  • The illuminated façade of the Toyota dealership in Ardmore was denied by the Planning Commission

 

Commissioner Lindner

  • An ordinance to allow “A Frame” sidewalk signs for businesses in the township is in process and will be refined.

 

  • The Lower Merion Police Dept. continue to monitor under age drinking in licensed township restaurants / bars and recently cited an establishment for serving alcohol to ten (10) under age patrons.

 

  • Improved street lights are being installed in the township.  There is a “burn in” period of 60 – 90 days during which the light is intense; however, the intensity decreases to acceptable levels after the burn in.  The new lights meet code and are more energy efficient.  Light shields can be applied to reduce glare / direct beams. 

 

SUBURBAN SQUARE.  Geoffrey Glazer, AIA, Vice President of Kimco Realty provided an overview of contemplated upgrades to Suburban Square. With the relocation of the Farmers Market from St. James Place (the private road that bisects Suburban Square north / south between Starbucks and Macy’s), the retailers fronting on the plaza between the Times Building and Macy’s have experienced a significant decrease in business. 

Kimco’s plan calls for the re-stacking of the tenant mix to include a variety of restaurants with the plaza serving as an outdoor dining / gathering area.  The improvements would likely be part of a three (3)  phase plan to include the re-paving, re-lighting  and re-landscaping of  St. James Place, the plaza between the Times Building and Macy’s and the continuation of the plaza adjacent to Williams Sonoma up to Coulter Avenue.  No additional rentable area would be added to Suburban Square and the existing parking count would remain constant although some spaces along St. James Place would be relocated.   While the plaza would continue to be used for access to Macy’s loading dock, the western-most area (down the steps) would receive a majority of the restaurant related seating.  Preliminary plans have considered a periodic banning of traffic on St. James Place to allow for concerts or other promotional events.   The same paving / lighting / landscape theme would continue throughout the balance of Suburban Square.  Kimco has studied and contacted numerous restaurant operators (local and national) as part of its planning process.  At this juncture, Kimco envisions, by way of example only, operators such as California Pizza Kitchen, Morton’s and a Philadelphia operator (like the Saloon) who wants restaurant #2 or #3 in the suburbs.  Kimco would like to submit plans to the township by year-end and start construction in the spring of 2011.  Geoff is open to suggestions as to restaurant mix, with the caveat that Suburban Square is a for profit enterprise. 

TREASURER’S REPORT.  Lorraine Jones reported in absentia that cash on hand is $8,631.00.

HISTORIC MARKERS.  After a brief discussion of appropriate Haverford inventory (Dolobran and the Merion Cricket Club) it was decided that Suburban Square was worthy of a Historic Marker.  The Board of the Haverford Civic Association voted in favor of a contribution towards such a marker, provided the Ardmore Civic Association concurred with the notion of a  Historic Marker.  Commissioner Gelber will coordinate with the Ardmore Civic Association. 

 

HAVERFORD TRAIN STATION PLANTING.  Jane Carton noted that she would nominate Haverford Station Road for a PHS Community Greening award.  Jane also noted that the plantings in the attractive station platform planters are virtually non-existent and do not reflect positively on our community.  After hearing that the Wynnewood planters set the benchmark, the board unanimously approved a contribution of $400.00 to provide planting materials for the Haverford Train Station platform and Haverford Station Road planters.  Jane will coordinate an appropriate volunteer force and will start planting after Mother’s Day.  It is anticipated that two (2) plaques will be placed in the appropriate vicinity reflecting Haverford Civics’ support / underwriting  of the planters. 

20 NORTH BUCK LANE & 421 LANCASTER AVENUE.  Commissioner Lindner provided a summary as follows:

  • 20 North Buck Lane (a/k/a Haverford Court, formerly Allaire).  The residents have met with the developer, Tom Hall, throughout the re-design process.  Based upon earlier meeting with residents and HARB, the plans now reflect alternative materials, decreased roof height, fewer penetrations into the North Buck Lane stone wall.  The primary issues remain i). the ingress/egress into/onto Old Lancaster Road, ii). the number of units (now 14) and iii). the configuration of the units facing Old Lancaster Road.

 

  • 421 Lancaster Avenue had fallen into disrepair and the abutting neighbor, Mr. D’Arro, contacted HCA and the commissioners for assistance. Evidently, the property owner and the insurance company have not come to terms, which gives rise to the existing condition. Although various township departments (animal control, code enforcement, the police department) have responded individually, a coordinated effort had not occurred.  Commissioner Lindner had a meeting of all departments last Friday to establish a sequence of corrective actions.  Mr. D’Arro will meet with the township departments next week.

 

SHARPE PARK EVENT.  A sign up sheet was passed once again.  Board participation in support of this event hovers around a very disappointing 50%. 

WEB SITE / HCA PROMOTION.  Andy Orr gave a summary the HCA web site technology with ideas for  improvement, such as a). making the site more user friendly, b).  a redesign to provide for i). sharing, ii) comments and iii). forums, c). improved promotion of the site and its now static content, d). a “subscription” button whereby users get an e-mail that announces additions to the site and e). “search engine optimization”.  A discussion ensued to include the idea of a “contribution” vs. annual “dues.”  It was agreed that we need to do a better job of a). explaining the benefits / purpose / mission of HCA and b). promoting HCA.  Its was noted that Gladwyne Civic actively promotes its activities and specific events in churches and local businesses and via mailers and newsletter.  It was agreed that a Promotional Committee would be formed to discuss these matters to be comprised of Andy Orr, Clif Payne, Carol Rando, Kerstin Humann, Anne Mezey and Wayne Hunt. The Promotional Committee will meet and report to the HCA board.

NEW BUSINESS.  Two items of new business were announced:

  1. The Historic Preservation Awards will be held on Tuesday, May 11, 2011 at the Merion Tribute House, 625 Hazelhurst Avenue, Merion, PA.  HCA members planning to attend should RSVP to Michael Wylie of the LMT Building and Planning Dept, @ 610-645-6172 or MWylie@lowermerion.org.
  2. The Gladwyne Civic Association extends an invitation to all HCA members to attend a lecture, “Learn About Lyme” by Douglas W. Fearn, of the Lyme Disease Association of Southeastern PA, to be held on April 27, 2010 at 7:15 p.m. at St. Christopher’s Church.
  3. Tash Duff, 100 Grays Lane #103, tduff310@verizon.net, was nominated for board membership by Jane Carton and was duly elected.

 

The next meeting of the HCA will be held on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. at the Merion Cricket Club.  Board meetings will continue on the 2nd Tuesday of each month until our summer recess.

Respectfully submitted,

Wayne Hunt on behalf of Vinny West, Secretary