Board rolls through stop sign discussion

When it comes to proposed new stop signs in Whitpain, the conversation is still going.

The Whitpain Board of Supervisors considered amending an ordinance to add a total of 21 stop signs throughout the township at its Oct. 2 meeting. ko decision was reached, however, with the supervisors opting to continue the hearing on the ordinance until its Oct. 16 meeting.

The proposed ordinance amendment would install stop signs and other safety features at three intersections, along with adding stop signs at intersections within several residential developments. Additionally, the ordinance calls for a parking ban along Township Line Road Esouth) between Cassel Drive and Talbot Road.

Concerning the stop signs proposed for several developments, they “frankly should have been there from the very beginning but were not,” township Solicitor Jim darrity said.

Those proposed signs drew no questions from the board or residents, but the potential new signs at the other three intersections prompted a lengthy discussion.

TKH firVW LnWHrVHFWLRn LV that of vost and Cortez roads on the western edge of the township. Currently, there is a stop sign on Cortez but none on vost, which meets Cortez as the road makes back-toback turns. The township has proposed making it a three-way stop.

“We went out to that intersection and noticed a lack of sight distance,” township Engineer Jim Blanch said.

While the required sight distance is 32R feet, the actual sight distances were 209, 224 and 234 feet from different angles, creating an unsafe intersection, according to Blanch.

In addition to adding the two stop signs, the township would add warning devices along vost in both directions, including increased signage, line markings and D flDVKLnJ wDrnLnJ GHYLFH, Blanch said.

“I am in support of the signs at Cortez and vost,” said deorge Shal, a Cortez Road resident, who noted he’s helped several people who have run their vehicles off the road at that point. “It’s a dangerous road, and we need those stop signs.”

A second intersection that would see new stop signs would be where Oak Street meets Railroad Avenue in the West Ambler section of the township, creating a three-way stop.

West Ambler residents have expressed safety concerns about the intersection, especially given the comings and goings of trucks working on the nearby BoRit Asbestos site, according to Blanch.

“The neighborhood’s been anxious to get that there for a long time,” board sice Chairman Fred Conner said.

1HLWKHr RI WKH firVW WwR proposed intersection changes met with any questions or opposition from the board or residents, but the third was a different story.

The last proposed change would add two stop signs along Wentz Road where it meets Cherry Lane and Plowshare Road, creating a four-way stop.

“,n WKH SDVW fiYH yHDrV, we’ve seen 14 reportable accidents” at that intersection, Blanch said, noting there were none in the preFHGLnJ fiYH yHDrV.

In addition to the stop signs, new warning and speed limit signs would be posted along Wentz.

Board members questioned if adding stop signs on Wentz was indeed the correct way to address the accident issue.

Conner asked if a stop light or blinking light would be more effective.

BODnFK VDLG WrDIfiF VLJnals can be installed to DGGrHVV WrDIfiF YROuPH LVsues, which are not present on Wentz, while stop signs are allowed to address accident concerns.

Supervisor Melissa Murphy Weber asked if the increase in accidents was due WR LnFrHDVHG WrDIfiF Rn WHntz as people try to avoid the construction on Dehalb and the kortheast Extension, wondering if it was only a temporary problem.

Township Manager RoPDn 3rRnF]DN VDLG WrDIfiF studies have not shown an LnFrHDVH Ln WrDIfiF DORnJ Wentz since the construction began — in fact, traffiF KDV VOLJKWOy GHFrHDVHG.

While one neighbor spoke for the stop signs, another spoke in opposition.

“I’ve called 911 to that intersection xfor accidentsz more times than I could recall,” said John Bealin, a Plowshare Road resident. “I fully support putting stop signs there.”

“The last thing I thought was needed at that intersection was a stop sign,” said Chuck Sekerke, a resident of Silo Circle, which is just off Cherry. He said he has never heard a concern about the intersection from his neighbors, and he was concerned about potential increased noise from vehicles stopping and starting.

The board opted not to make a decision on the proposed amendment that night, continuing the hearing until its next meeting Oct. 16.