No Snakes Allowed!
PTC Open House: An Interesting Exchange during Q & A…
During the question and answer section there was an amusing dialogue. It went sort of like this, but this is only a paraphrase:
Q: I noticed on the diagrams that there will be water in the retention ditches. How much water do you anticipate.
A: The basins will be lined, and will hold water. The amount of water, or how long it will stay, is unknown exactly. It depends upon the season, and the amount of rainfall. Generally, they would be empty in the summer, and wet in the winter, because less evaporation occurs in the winter when the vegetation is less absorptive. The estimate is from 72 hours to 14 days. About half of the time the basins will be empty.
Q: [Concerned about West Nile virus.] If there is standing-water there, won’t that create a breeding ground for mosquitoes?
A: Vegetation will be planted to discourage mosquito breeding, and encourage predators.
Q: Predators? What kind of predators? Birds?
A: Yes.
Q: Frogs?
A: Yes.
Q: Snakes?
A: [Shaking head.] Snakes? No, there won’t be any snakes.
One wonders how they will keep snakes out? Perhaps they will post a sign with large lettering: “No Snakes Allowed!“
THE UNINVITED SNAKE...
Report on PTC Open House in Tredyffrin (1/27/09)
An Overview
At the PTC Open House Tuesday night, there were tables for attendees to register so PTC could mail updates, a room with a 3-5 minute video over-viewing the expansion, and a large room full of: posters showing the plans, PTC people answering general questions, a table for people whose properties are being taken to talk with a representative, and a PTC Public Outreach poster mentioning their “Good Neighbor” policy. Many Tredyffrin residents were present as well as some local politicians. (Senator Dinniman, Representative Rubley, and TT Supervisors DiBuonaventuro, DiFilippo, Kampf, and Lamina)
The Homes Affected
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will take 9 Tredyffrin family homes, and portions of 97 Tredyffrin family properties. For a grand total of 106 Tredyffrin family homes and properties affected. Homes being taken are on Yellow Springs Rd., Morgan Lane, Colonel DeWees Rd., a hole or two at Glenhardie Country Club, and Red Coat Lane, and will be used for retention basins. The properties being partially taken run along the same corridor.
The Retention Basins
According to a representative aerial photos were taken of the area and topographical maps were developed from the information. Water is directed to a central location for treatment which includes: rate control and volume control.
The basins are lined, and will hold storm water to control its rate and volume before it reaches its next destination. The PTC surrounds their basins with 10-foot high chain-link fencing. Basins will hold some level of water 50% of the time. Representatives were vague about the amount of water, but they anticipate water in them from 3-14 days after a storm. A large portion of the basin is designed to encourage evaporation.
A resident concerned about standing water, mosquitoes and West Nile virus inquired about the standing water, and how the PTC planned to reduce it. The PTC representative indicated that the basins would hold water only 50% of the time, and that they would be wet mostly in the winter. The PTC stated that the summer months would be the driest, vegetation would be used to help evaporate the water, and that the vegetation would also encourage mosquito predators to the area.
Our Green Hills neighborhood has two retention basins which are unlined, they rarely have water in them except after a big storm, and then by 2-3 days later, they’re empty. Why has the PTC decided to line these basins?
The Department of Environmental Protection has the right to deny approval of the project. A thirty-day public comment period will follow the PTC’s application for permits. To date, The PTC has not applied for permits. PTC first seeks public comment on the designs. Citizens may contact the DEP independently about this issue. The PTC indicated that all state representatives have seen the plans. They mentioned specifically: Dinniman, Briggs, Drucker, Leach, and Rafferty.
PTC also needs approval from Tredyffrin Township regarding sound barriers and storm water runoff.
Are Concrete Barriers Sound Absorptive?
The representative says “yes.” The core of the barrier is made of concrete, and is covered by a secondary surface made of wood chips which provide sound absorption.
Contacts Given Out at The PTC Open House…
If Your Property is Partially Affected…
Jim Broadbent, Keystone Acquisitions: phone: (888 ) 364-8612John Spicijarich, PA Turnpike Commission at: (717) 939-9551, ext. 3430.
“What can I do if I don’t agree that this project is necessary? Who can I contact if I have questions or concerns after the meeting?” (From the PTC Frequently Asked Questions hand-out)
Kevin Scheurich, P.E., Project Manager P.O. Box 67676 Harrisburg, PA 17106-7676 (717) 939-9551, ext. 5775 kscheuri@paturnpike.com
Donald Steele, P.E., Sr. Engineering Project Manager Mimi Lindelow, Public Involvement Specialist 251 Flint Hill Rd. King of Prussia, PA 19406 (610) 292-3795 dsteele@paturnpike.com mlindelo@paturnpike.com
Public Outreach Initiative Stacey McCreary KCI Technologies, Inc. 5001 Louise Drive, Suite 201 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 (717) 691-1340 smccreary@kci.com
PTC Project Newsletters or Project E-Bulletins?
Click here to sign up for “The Pike” a Project Newsletter (which is mailed) or Project E-Bulletins which, obviously, is emailed.How to contact Great Valley Association
greatvalleyassociation@gmail.com
If you are inspired to help your Tredyffrin neighbors, contact the GVA, and ask to serve on the Turnpike Subcommittee.
6ABC, FOX29, and NBC10 May Report
6ABC and NBC10 visited Morgan Lane today to talk with Anna Davis one of the Morgan Lane neighbors whose property will be taken by the insufferable Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. Mrs. Davis reports that NBC10 will air its segment at 5:30 p.m.
FOX29 will be at the PTC meeting tonight, too.
Please don’t let the weather reports stop you from attending the meeting tonight, as other news outfits may be there reporting.
PA Turnpike Commission Blind-Sides Tredyffrin Families
A Staggering Blind-Side
Unlike the kinder world of friends and neighbors who give one another “heads up” about future changes, Mr. Kevin Scheurich, Project Engineering Manager for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) called two neighbors of Morgan Lane in the Green Hills subdivision of Chesterbrook on Friday, January 23, 2009 around 3 p.m. to inform them that their homes were officially condemned. When The PTC expands the turnpike to six lanes, it will accommodate added rainwater runoff to the Valley Creek which runs behind these homes by taking the homes of these families. Interestingly, there is absolutely nothing on the other side of the road, except for a small corner of Valley Forge National Historical Park. Why not take the acre from there – it could hardly be missed in such a remote section of the park.
It was sudden and unexpected. One was anticipating news from the PTC about the sound barriers – not about losing her home. Imagine it. With one phone call, you are notified that you will be evicted from the property you rightfully own, you and your children are cut away from your neighbors of many years, and your children might be uprooted from their schools.
Just like many home-owners, these families planned to stay in their homes indefinitely. This year, both families had made substantial home improvements. One renovated her entire downstairs, the other invested $50,000 for a bathroom upgrade, wool carpeting, and a retaining wall. Had either of them known that their properties might be taken by eminent domain, it’s safe to conclude, they would not have made significant renovations to their homes. No doubt The PTC knew of its plans for a long time, and it did a great job of keeping its secret. Is this the work of “Public Servants?” Is this how our government serves us? It is only a matter of time before The PTC receives the necessary permits allowing them to create a reservoir for the run-off from two lovely family homes in a nice neighborhood.
Homes along Yellow Springs Road have been condemned. In June of 2006, Main Line Life ran an article about how Main Line Animal Rescue (MLAR) was being bumped from Dee Solitario’s farm. But MLAR was there only temporarily, and that was because Ms. Solitario’s kennel previously had been condemned by The PTC. (Dee’s was my kennel of choice for years. She lived there, ran a great kennel, and her daughter ran a hair salon business out of the home.) How many other good citizens have been forced from their homes?
This is the government punishing good citizens and their neighborhoods. The PTC made a plan, and instead of telling everyone in the affected community (Tredyffrin, Chester County, local homeowners groups), they dish a little information just to the homeowners of the condemned properties, thus intentionally containing the issue so concerned neighbors cannot get involved with enough time to make a difference. Naturally, the homeowners are encouraged to hire (at significant cost to themselves) lawyers to help them, but they understandably feel it is hopeless.
What to do?
Go to this Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission meeting, and afterward report about what you witnessed to your friends (and to this blog if you’d like) :
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
The Vanguard School’s Activities Center
1777 North Valley Road,
Paoli, PAOr view the information at the Tredyffrin Twp. building.
Contact the Great Valley Association; get involved with them. From their website:
Formed in 1936, the Great Valley Association is comprised of residents committed to preserving and protecting the livability and character of the Great Valley. The GVA area includes over 600 homes in Tredyffrin Township, within 5 square miles north and south of Valley Creek, east of Route 29 and west of Mill Road. Our mutual interests include zoning, environment, traffic, safety and various other unique issues that may affect the ambiance of the Great Valley.
Contact our area representatives, and tell them to find a different solution to the storm water runoff issue. Ask them to advocate on behalf of these families and the others we haven’t heard of. (Are there others? We don’t know.) Tell them that taking family homes is no way to remedy water runoff.
- Honorable Paul Drucker representing our 157th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. 992 Old Eagle School Road, Suite 909, Wayne, PA 19087. Phone: (610) 688-5691. Fax: (610) 688-5695. email: pdrucker@pahouse.net
- Senator Andy Dinniman representing Pennsylvania’s 19th Senatorial District. One North Church Street, West Chester, PA 19380. Phone: 610.692.2112. Fax: 610.436.1721. email: andy@pasenate.com
- A Pen
Panhandle Civic Association Meeting w/TT BoS
A Pen thanks…
The Panhandle Civic Association’s leadership for organizing this meeting. We hope for your success in improving this matter.
What: Notice Of Special Panhandle Civic Association Meeting
When: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: First Baptist Church, 1012 Upper Gulph Road, Wayne, PA 19087
Who: Three Tredyffrin Supervisors, Paul Olson, Bob Lamina and Judy DiFillippo
Why: To discuss the $2.4 million deficit written into the approved budget for 2009. In order to balance this budget, it is planned to deplete the reserve funds for the second year in a row by this amount. With the reduced income expected this year, and the economy in disarray, fiscal responsibility calls for further reduction in spending in 2009 to preserve the reserve fund for emergencies.
Please join us for an opportunity to express your thoughts on this dilemma. Taxes would have to be raised 38% to balance the budget.
Representatives from other civic associations are also invited.
