[September 22, 2011] Tredyffrin sidewalk ordinance aims for a walkable community Tweet Sep 22, 2011 (The Philadelphia Inquirer - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- To understand why Tredyffrin Township wants to build more sidewalks, look no further than Harold Scott. The 69-year-old Pottstown resident was on his way to a church meeting in the township but wanted to stop first for coffee at a Saxby's down the road on Route 30. Rather than walking from the Church of the Good Samaritan, he ended up driving the 100 yards to the shop. The sidewalks "stop and start" too much to walk safely, he said, gesturing toward the road, with its islands of unconnected sidewalks and cars rushing by. If the sidewalk ordinance adopted Monday does what it's supposed to, people like Scott will be able to get around more easily on foot. The ordinance will require new residential and commercial developments along roads yet to be designated to have sidewalks. Eight are currently planned in the township but it is unclear how they would be affected. The result, proponents say, would provide longer stretches of sidewalk and a more livable community. Resident Hans van Naerssen told supervisors before the vote the ordinance would ensure that pedestrians have "equal opportunity" with motorists. But the move to add sidewalks encountered some opposition from the supervisors chairman and vice chairman, who argued that the ordinance would raise costs and scare away development. They said the question should be put before voters in a referendum. Tredyffrin, a mostly residential section of Chester County that encompasses parts of Wayne, Paoli, and Berwyn, has had a sidewalk ordinance for almost 25 years, requiring sidewalks to be installed as part of any large-scale project. The problem, according to Township Manager Mimi Gleason, was that the requirement "used to be waived routinely" because the ordinance was vaguely worded. The result is that much of the township's 150 miles of roads lack sidewalks -- including parts of major commercial corridors, such as Route 30. The new ordinance -- passed after almost two years of debate -- is meant to change that by providing a more strategic approach that will result in fewer waivers, according to Supervisor Michelle H. Kichline. But that argument didn't persuade Supervisors Chairman Robert W. Lamina, who worried that the ordinance was "highly prescriptive." Because most of Tredyffrin's neighborhoods are built out, the ordinance will affect mostly commercial redevelopment projects. Sean N. McCauley, a developer and planning commissioner, disputed Lamina's claim, saying "the cost of sidewalks is insignificant." With Tredyffrin competing with others to attract jobs, he argued that creating a more walkable community was essential. Joseph Hacker, a top transportation planner at the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, agreed, saying in an interview that sidewalk requirements make an "enormous amount of sense" if, as in Tredyffrin, they're meant to connect residents to things like train stations. Not everyone in Tredyffrin wants a walkable community. "I don't believe this township is a walking township," resident Bob Robie told supervisors, adding that he's happy driving. Tory Snyder, a Planning Commission member, said a survey found that about two-thirds of residents supported more sidewalks. Snyder, who chaired a sidewalk committee that helped develop the ordinance, said in an interview that it took a balanced approach. But don't expect walkability issues in Tredyffrin to go away soon. The Board of Supervisors has only begun working to figure out where new sidewalks would be required. Contact staff writer Anthony Campisi at 215-854-5015, [email protected], or @campisia on Twitter. ___ (c)2011 The Philadelphia Inquirer Visit The Philadelphia Inquirer at www.philly.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]