Limekiln Pike Bridge Closure

May 16 Update #2:

There’s good news, and there’s bad news.

AS MOST ARE AWARE WE WERE UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE REMOVAL OF THE STAGE 2 EXISTING BRIDGE BEAMS THIS WEEKEND AND ARE WORKING ON A REVISED DESIGN WITH A NEW TARGET DATE OF THE WEEKEND OF JUNE 25, 2021.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE BRIDGE IS NOW OPEN.


the-bridge-is-out.jpg

May 16 Update: The bridge is on track to re-open tomorrow morning at 5am. Per email from Neshaminy Constructors (the bridge's contractor):

“Stage 1 was completed today.

As such the road & bridge will be opened no later than this coming Monday morning at 5 AM.

Thanks for your cooperation in this matter.”


The Limekiln Pike bridge is now closed in both directions, and is anticipated to reopen Monday May 17th at 5AM. Due to utility delay (underground), works on the east side of the bridge cannot be completed on time in order to switch traffic (west side to east Side) on April 25th, 2021 as scheduled. Contractor requested this needed closure to begin their preparation works for Beam Removal that is currently scheduled for May 14th, 2021 weekend outages with Septa and Peco Electric. As soon as works on the east side of the bridge are completed, traffic on the west side will be switched over to the new bridge and reopen immediately.

April 27 Planning Commission Meeting

Apartments at Willow Grove Mall

Pages from Planning Commission agenda.jpg

This Tuesday night, April 27, starting at 7:30pm, the Planning Commission will once again take up the issue of the proposed Zoning Text Amendment that would allow for apartments at the Willow Grove Mall. I know there are many opinions on this, so I encourage you to join the meeting and make your voice heard. Should the Planning Commission render a decision on Tuesday night, it is very possible that the project will be on the May 5 Land Use Committee Meeting agenda.

20210223_205917.jpg

2021 Primary Election

Spring is here, and, among other things, that means its Primary Elections time. This year’s Primary will occur on May 18, starting at 7am, wrapping up at 8pm (if you’re in line at 8pm, stay in line- you will be allowed to vote). As with last year, Vote by Mail is also an option. Voting this year will be held in the usual location- Edge Hill Fire Company on Limekiln Pike.

Election Graphic.jpg

The layout of the polling place will be the same as it was this past fall (although I don’t anticipate the lines to be as long). As the pandemic draws down, we’re almost into the end zone, but we still need to exercise some caution, so the one way flow through the polling place will look familiar.

polling place.jpg
drop box locations.png
Re Elect.png

In the past four years, I have focused on:

WATER SAFETY:  When the North Hills well was showing elevated levels of PFOA and PFOS chemical compounds in the drinking water, we were able to get the well shut down, stopping the distribution of these contaminants to taps in North Hills.  However, we didn’t stop there.  I’m pleased to note that at April’s Board of Commissioners meeting, the final land development approval was granted to Aqua PA to install filtration and reopen the well. 

FLOODING:  Residents on the 600 Block of Monroe were besieged by flood waters during heavy rains for years.  Working with engineers, we were able to investigate the existing infrastructure below Monroe and locate the deficiency that was causing the flooding.  Last year, despite the pandemic, work was completed on a fix that will now alleviate the flooding problem.

LISTENING TO COMMUNITY CONCERNS:  Whether it was the installation of a turf field at Penbryn Park, or reopening Penbryn Pool when everything else was closed to give the community something to enjoy during the summer of 2020, I utilized polling via social media to get your thoughts and opinions, and measure the sentiment of our community. This was in addition to knocking on doors and having face to face conversations with residents.

In my second term, I plan on:

COMPLETING A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR OUR COMMUNITY:  Working with the Comprehensive Plan Development Team that I chair, I plan to complete the Vision 2035 Plan to establish a guiding vision of how the township should  continue to evolve through 2035.  This plan includes a look at land use and development within our township, transportation and movement, our parks, our natural resources, and so much more. 

SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESS:  Working with business owners, both present and future, to revitalize the Limekiln Pike business corridor.  Attracting desirable, small, locally owned businesses along this corridor is crucial to restoring a vibrant, walkable streetscape along Limekiln Pike, which is essential to maintaining the small town feel that North Hills has come to love.

SAFETY AND SECURITY:  Continuing to work for the well being of our community in terms of safety and security.  This means continually fighting for better traffic safety measures, working to ensure that building codes are adopted to protect the safety of both our first responders and our public, and working with our police and our neighbors to ensure equitable delivery of justice.

As your commissioner, I’ve been honored to serve you, and I’ve been honored to serve as chair of both the Land Use Committee and the Comprehensive Plan Development Team, and as an appointee of the Governor to the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council.  As a husband, father, and longtime North Hills resident, as your neighbor, I am once again asking for your vote this year.  Please make sure you come out and cast your vote for me in the Primary Election on May 18, and again in the General Election on November 3.

Vote no on 4. The debt limit of the fund will not be increased, meaning volunteer companies like those in Abington will be left fighting for funds from the existing fund. Per the PA Department of State:

The purpose of the ballot question is to determine whether Pennsylvania voters authorize making municipal fire departments or companies with paid personnel and emergency medical services companies eligible to apply for loans from an already existing state loan program.

Pennsylvania voters approved the incurring of indebtedness of up to $100,000,000 in four previous statewide referenda: $10,000,000 on November 4, 1975; $15,000,000 on November 3, 1981; $25,000,000 on November 6, 1990; and $50,000,000 on November 5, 2002.  Originally, this indebtedness funded a loan program for volunteer fire companies, volunteer ambulance services and volunteer rescue squads. 

Currently, municipal fire departments or companies with paid personnel and emergency medical services companies are not authorized to apply for loans from this program.  The Pennsylvania General Assembly has determined that municipal fire departments or companies with paid personnel and emergency medical services companies are most in need of loans to replace outmoded or unsafe equipment and buildings to meet the increased demands for a higher level of service in the communities they serve.  If approved, the referendum will allow municipal fire departments or companies with paid personnel and emergency medical services companies to apply for loans from the program, consistent with the existing law and regulations.

The Office of the State Fire Commissioner administers the loan program, and has promulgated regulations to govern the loan application process.  Upon successful application, the Office authorizes loans for the purposes and in amounts specified by the Emergency Management Service Code and the Office's regulations. These loans may be used for establishing or modernizing facilities to house firefighting apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles.  They may also be used for the purchase of new firefighting apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, protective and communications equipment and any other accessory equipment necessary for the proper performance of these organizations' duties.

This referendum does not authorize incurring any additional debt to fund the loan program; it only expands the class of eligible loan applicants.  It also does not expand the purposes for which loans may be made; municipal fire departments or companies with paid personnel and emergency medical services companies may only apply for the type of loans already provided for by law and regulation.

School Board.jpg
Nicole Phillips.jpg

Montco Pikes

11-17-20 Corridor Issues Map - Easton Page 001.jpg

The Montgomery County Planning Commission is developing a vision plan for six county corridors, including Easton Rd. in Abington Township. The next phase is now underway, and the County needs feedback from residents to help identify and prioritize the need for future transportation improvements along each Montco Pikes corridor. To provide feedback, please visit: https://montcopikes.mindmixer.com/.

More information about the project can be found at https://www.montcopa.org/montcopikes

11-17-20 Corridor Issues Map - Easton Page 002.jpg

Upcoming Board of Commissioners and Committee of the Whole Meetings

township bldg.jpg

This Thursday night will see another round of virtual meetings for the Board of Commissioners. The standing Board of Commissioners meeting will start at 6:30pm and conduct routine business this month. Following the regular Board meeting, Commissioners will reconvene for the Committee of the Whole meeting. Of note on the Committee of the Whole agenda is the North Hills well on Chelsea Avenue. Aqua PA is continuing the Land Development process, seeking approval to install new anion resin filtration at the well, with the goal of removing PFAS contaminants from our drinking water.

If you have any questions or concerns about the North Hills Well project, please feel free to reach out to me, or feel free to comment at Thursday Night’s meeting. Site plan and renderings are below.

North Hills Well- Site Plan

North Hills Well- Site Plan

View from Chelsea Avenue

View from Chelsea Avenue

Neighbor views

Neighbor views

Free PPE Kits for small businesses!

Free PPE Kits.jpg

Abington Township has received a limited quantity of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits from the Montgomery County Commerce Department and Office of Public Health. The kits are free to local businesses and non-profits and contain the following:

  • 3 containers of disinfectant wipes (125ct per container)

  • 10 bottles of hand sanitizer (4oz bottles)

  • 5 plastic face shields

  • 5 Fruit of the Loom cloth face masks

  • 1 non-contact digital thermometer

Local businesses and non-profits are encouraged to complete this survey to receive the PPE kits. The Director of Fire & Emergency Management Services will verify availability of the number of kits requested and confirm pickup on March 18, 2021 with the point of contact provided below. Pick-up will occur at the Township's Public Safety Training Annex located at 2200 Florey Lane, Abington, PA 19001.

For questions, please contact Tom McAneney, Director of Fire & Emergency Management Services, at tmcaneney@AbingtonPA.gov or 267-536-1059.

Summer Parks & Rec

Penbryn.jpg

The  2021 Spring and Summer Activities Guide is now live, and registration has begun!

Programs and Activities:

o    The 2021 Activities Guide and related information can be viewed at www.abingtonpa.gov/PRGuide.

Township Pools

o    Pool information can be found at www.abingtonpa.gov/pool or within the guide

Releases for Programs and Pools

o    Residents can submit or download the Liability Waiver and Release and the COVID-19 Assumption of Risk and Release at www.abingtonpa.gov/PRwaivers. This webpage explains the new process for completing the releases. 

2021 Spring and Summer Activities Guide Update

The Spring and Summer Activities Guide is printed and will be out for delivery soon to resident homes. The guide’s availability is delayed this year due to discussions with the solicitor’s office and revisions needed to Township waivers and collection process, including the Township Liability Waiver and Release and a Township COVID 19 Assumption of Risk and Release. This year, each program participant, pool member, and pool guest will have to sign a COVID waiver, in addition to the Township’s general liability waiver. Below is how each type of participant will be addressed:

Program Participant:

  • Each participant will need to complete a Township Liability Waiver and Release and a Township COVID 19 Assumption of Risk and Release. Parents/Guardians must sign on behalf of all minor participants.

  • For example, if a family with three children registers their children for two activities each, the family will need to complete three liability waivers and three COVID waivers, one for each child. The waivers must be signed by the parent and guardian for the child to participate in the program.

Pool Member:

  • Each member will need to sign a Township Liability Waiver and Release and a Township COVID 19 Assumption of Risk and Release

  • For example, all members on a family membership will need to sign one liability form and one COVID waiver. The pool waivers have multiple lines so that a family membership can sign one form. Parents/Guardians must sign on behalf of all minor members.

  • Pools are tentatively slated to open on June 26, 2021!

Pool Guest:

  • Each pool guest will need to sign a Township Liability Waiver and Release and a Township COVID 19 Assumption of Risk and Release before EVERY visit.

  • Forms must be completed by the parent/guardian of any minor guests.

  • For example, if the Smith Family brings two guests age 14, Jim and John, Jim and John will need to bring or have submitted the Township Liability Waiver and Release and a Township COVID 19 Assumption of Risk and Release. This is because Jim and John are minors and their parent/guardian must sign on their behalf.

 Unfortunately, the existing Parks and Recreation software does not allow for the waivers to be completed at the time of registration. Please go to www.abingtonpa.gov/PRWaivers, where you can submit the waivers online, or download and print PDFs to bring with them the first day of the program/visit to the pool. Forms will also be available the first day of programs and at the pool.

Susquehanna Road Closure

unnamed.jpg

PECO Energy is planning a lane closure and full closure on Susquehanna Road between Route 611 (Old York Road) and Rydal Road/Valley Road in Abington Township, Montgomery County, for gas main installation, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced.

 The work schedule is:

  • Monday, March 8, through Friday, March 12, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, a lane closure with flagging is scheduled on Susquehanna Road; and

  • Monday, March 15, through the end of April, Susquehanna Road is scheduled to close. During the 24/7 closure, motorists will be directed to use Route 611 (Old York Road), The Fairway and Rydal Road. Local access will be maintained up to the construction zone.

Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling near or through the work area because backups and delays will occur. All scheduled activities are weather dependent. PECO Energy will complete this project under a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit.

Susquehanna Road Closure and Detour 06105587.jpg

Leaf Mulch Available!

Screenshot_20210306-224744_Spark Post.jpg

Beginning Tuesday, March 9, 2021, leaf mulch will be available for resident pick-up at Baederwood and Crestmont Parks. The leaf mulch will NOT be available at Alverthorpe Park until Tuesday, March 23, 2021. Residents can also pick up leaf mulch during business hours at the Public Works Yard, 2201 Florey Lane, Abington, PA 19001 as well.

Agendas- February BoC and CoW Meetings

Township building.jpg

agendas

Board of Commissioners and Committee of the Whole

February 2021 Meetings

 

Board of Commissioners Meeting

The Board of Commissioners will next meet this coming Thursday, February 11, starting at 6:30pm. This month’s agenda is fairly short, but there are two Land Use agenda items of note:

Hunter.jpg

Hunter Soccer Club Turf Field at Penbryn

This application was previously recommended for approval at the January Committee of the Whole meeting.

Pages%2Bfrom%2BLand%2BUse%2BAgenda.jpg

Baederwood 244 Unit Apartment Complex

This project was reviewed at last week’s Land Use Committee meeting, and subsequently recommended for approval by the full Board of Commissioners.

This meeting starts at 6:30 pm, Thursday, Feb. 11

 

February Committee of the Whole Meeting

This month’s Committee of the Whole agenda is also relatively light. Up for discussion on Thursday Night are Briar Bush’s Master Plan Site Implementation, Winter Traffic Services Agreement, routine updates to the traffic ordinance, and a probationary officer appointment for Abington Police Department. An update on the current status of the Comprehensive Plan will be given as well.

This meeting starts at 7:00 pm, Thursday, Feb. 11

Limekiln Pike to Close Again

Road Closed.png

Limekiln Pike Bridge to Close… Again

The bridge across Septa’s tracks at Limekiln Pike is slated to close again, this time from 12pm February 19 through 5am February 22. As with the last closure, the recommended detour will be Easton Road to Mount Carmel.

 

February 6 Update

This week I met with representatives from the Township and the Owner’s Representative (Michael Baker International) for PennDOT to discuss the current status of the bridge replacement project. The construction team assured me that the closure scheduled for February 19 through 22 is on track to occur as scheduled. The next closing will occur in May, and, while there is a tentative date in place right now, this date is a bit harder to pin down given all of the activities that need to occur prior to the next closing.

The project involves close coordination between SEPTA, Aqua PA, and PECO, which adds complexity to the coordination on the project.

Abington Township Welcomes New Library Director Liz Fitzgerald

Abington.png

Abington Township Public Library is pleased to welcome Liz Fitzgerald as its new director, effective February 1.

Ms. Fitzgerald was most recently the director of the Free Library of Philadelphia's Culinary Literacy Center, the first of its kind in a library in the United States, and the Languages and Learning Center — a center dedicated to supporting adult literacy students and English learners. In this role, Ms. Fitzgerald was responsible for spearheading the Free Library’s initiatives around workforce development and digital literacy and access.

Ms. Fitzgerald started with the Free Library in 2008, working in the Catalog Department as a branch manager and children's librarian in West Philadelphia, before opening the Culinary Literacy Center in 2014. Prior to joining the Free Library, Ms. Fitzgerald served as a teen services librarian at the Ocean County Library in New Jersey. She has a Master’s of Library and Information Science from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Arts from Loyola University in Maryland.

In 2016, Ms. Fitzgerald was named a Mover & Shaker by Library Journal. She is an experienced speaker and educator, presenting at conferences nationally and internationally, including the 2016 International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions Satellite Conference, the 2017 NextLibrary Conference in Aarhus, Denmark, and IgnitePhilly 20. She was also a guest lecturer at the University of California Berkeley.

For her breadth of experience, professional achievements, and visionary approach to library services, Abington Township Public Library is excited to welcome Ms. Fitzgerald to our community and looks forward to her successful tenure as director. Ms. Fitzgerald shares, “I’m thrilled to join the Abington Township Public Library. I look forward to being a member of Abington’s vibrant and engaged community, while serving alongside a dedicated Library team.”

Sidewalk Library @ Penbryn Park!

Sidewalk Library @ Penbryn Park!

Yesterday, we were pleased to receive a sidewalk library at Penbryn Park, thanks to Senator Art Haywood, the Mount Airy Community Design Collaborative, and Abington resident Rachael McNeill!

The library is part of the Readby4th program, whose goal is to have children reading on level by the time they enter 4th grade. For more information, check out this link- http://readby4th.org

The box is located between the ice rink and the playground.

Land Use Committee Meeting

Land Use Meeting.png

This Wednesday, February 3, the Land Use Committee will be meeting to review an application by Brandolini Companies for the construction of a new apartment building in Baederwood, behind Whole Foods. Per Ward 7 Commissioner Stuart Winegrad (whose ward the proposed project is set in):

“Baederwood Residential Partners, LP is seeking to build a 244 unit apartment building with associated parking garage on the north side of the Fairway, approximately 1500 feet east of its intersection with Old York Road. The Zoning Hearing Board granted a dimensional variance in 2018, and the applicant received a conditional use approval from the Board of Commissioners in January of 2019.

The Planning Commission reviewed and approved the applicant's plan on January 28, 2020. Access to the proposed apartment building and parking lot will from The Fairway through the parking lot of the Baederwood Shopping Center. The Conditional Use Order provided for improvements to The Fairway, including safer pedestrian crossings, along with improvements to the ingress and egress of motor vehicles from the existing Baederwood Parking lot. Since the time of the Conditional Use Order, the applicant has proposed to make additional improvements including increased width in the access road and fire safety design upgrades to the building and equipment.”

Controversy remains over whether or not a secondary access for fire equipment and emergency vehicles is needed. Under the PA Uniform Construction Code, only a portion of the International Fire Code has been adopted. Among the sections not adopted are those that require a secondary access for fire equipment. However, under Abington Township’s Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, a secondary access is required for anything greater than three stories.

As always, feel free to reach out to me with questions or concerns regarding this project, or join the meeting and public on the application publicly.

Proposed Site Plan submitted by Baederwood Residential Partners, LP

Proposed Site Plan submitted by Baederwood Residential Partners, LP

 

Post Meeting Note, February 6, 2021

The Land Use Committee voted 5-0 in favor of recommending to the full Board of Commissioners that the land development application for this project be approved. This was based on assurances provided by the applicants fire protection engineer, as well as Abington’s Fire Marshall, the the building, as proposed, will be safe for residents and first responders alike. Letters from Telgian Engineering and the Fire Marshall’s office can be found below.

Pages from 02.03.21 Land Use Committee Agenda Page 001.jpg
Pages from 02.03.21 Land Use Committee Agenda Page 002.jpg
Pages from 02.03.21 Land Use Committee Agenda Page 003.jpg
FM Letter.jpg

Snow Emergency

snow emergency.png

A snow emergency has been declared for Abington Township, effective starting at 12pm today, lasting through 12pm on February 2. Within Ward 6, this means no parking on both Mount Carmel Ave. and Jenkintown Road. Vehicles left on these roadways may face towing.

Sidewalks should be cleared within 24 hours of the end of snowfall. Please remember to clear fire hydrants as well.

Embed Block
Add an embed URL or code. Learn more
fire-hydrant.jpg



Zoning Hearing - Aqua PA's North Hills Well

Pages%2Bfrom%2BZHB%2BAgenda%2BPacket%2BPage%2B002.jpg

North Hills Well Zoning Hearing

On Tuesday night, January 19, the Zoning Hearing Board will be taking up Aqua PA’s application to build a new structure to house its resin ion filtration system that will reduce PFAS levels in our drinking water to non-detectable levels. The structure will be built at the well site on Chelsea Avenue in North Hills.

To learn more about PFAS compounds and why this project is necessary, feel free to click here.

To learn more about the zoning application, read below.

21-01: This is the application of Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc, owner and applicant of the

property addressed as 315 Chelsea Avenue, Glenside, PA 19038. The applicant seeks a Special

Exception pursuant to Section 1906.A of the Abington Township Zoning Ordinance to construct an

addition to the property to house a PFAS treatment system to the existing well

station. Variances are also requested from Section 2103, Use A-13.2 for the 6 foot high fence

proposed within the front yard setback area and from Section 2601.J-1 to install a roof

mounted exhaust fan that will be visible from the adjoining residential use. Finally, the

applicant requests a variance from the landscaping requirements of Section 2403.B-4.a-(4)

and seeks to install an alternative landscaping buffer pursuant to Section 2403.B-4.a-(5) of the

Zoning Ordinance. The property is zoned within the R-4 Residential District of Ward # 6 of

the Township of Abington.

Pages from ZHB Agenda Packet Page 001.jpg
Pages from ZHB Agenda Packet Page 002.jpg
Pages from ZHB Agenda Packet Page 003.jpg