Comprehensive plan update could get OK
UPPER GWYNEDD >> Two hearings slated for next week could help shape the future of Upper Gwynedd for decades.
Township officials heard a preview Monday night of those two upcoming items, one a hearing on a zoning change and the second, on the township’s updated comprehensive plan.
“As you know we’ve been working on this for over three years,” said Township Manager Sandra Brookley Zadell.
Talks on updating the township’s comprehensive plan began in 2018, and that volunteer committee tasked with doing so has held numerous
public meetings to field feedback from the community. The latest draft is available on the township’s website, and is a 230-page document that includes sections on housing and neighborhoods, economic development, community institutions, transportation, environmental sustainability, parks and open space, historic preservation, and focus areas.
“It’s ripe for consideration before the board,” Zadell said.
She added special thanks to the volunteer committee that oversaw the update, along with assistant manager Megan Weaver, and the Montgomery County planning commission for vetting the document. Those interested in reading it can do so online, or printed copies are available at the township building, and feedback can be sent to the board or shared at the hearing on Aug. 17.
“It has our community’s vision through 2040,” Zadell said.
That comprehensive plan is scheduled for a public hearing during the board’s Aug. 17 meeting, and review letters and documentation are included in the board’s meeting materials packet for Aug. 9.
A second hearing is also on the board’s agenda for that night, Zadell announced, for a zoning code change to allow certain exceptions in nonconforming lots whose sizes do not meet setback criteria specified in current codes. Those properties are largely located in the northern and eastern portions of the township, according to Zadell and planning and zoning officer Van Rieker, and any yard projects such as decks would still need to secure all necessary permits, but would no longer need approval from the township’s zoning hearing board.
PECO work ongoing: Zadell also gave an update about work underway around the township by PECO, including utility line replacement.
“I just wanted to do a PSA that we really can’t control PECO’s projects. I can’t make PECO mow a meadow that they don’t want to mow,” Zadell said.
One large project currently underway that has drawn calls of complaints from residents is a power line upgrade project in the Flintlock community of the township, according to the manager, and those upgrades should make those lines better able to withstand weather such as summer storms.
“It is a good thing they’re doing, but it is a temporary inconvenience,” she said.
Residents who have issues or questions about PECO work can call the township building at (215) 699-7777, but those calls may or may not result in any changes on the ground.
“They can absolutely reach out to us, and we can try to help, but usually that’s just getting information,” Zadell said.
Trail upgrade project proceeds: Township engineer Isaac Kessler also gave an update on a project to add parking spaces and a crossing to a trail along North Wales Road.
“The highway occupancy permit was approved by PennDOT. That’s typically one of the larger hurdles, for a project like that,” he said.
In February staff announced plans for the project, meant to increase pedestrian safety by adding a crosswalk with signs, and a trail head with a small parking lot in an area where residents have been seen parking along the roadway. Kessler said Monday that PennDOT has provided the engineer with their feedback on “the signals and signage they want included,” and the permit will allow work to begin within the next year.
“We’re working with staff to determine the best time we can go and actually do that work. Probably early next year,” he said.
Savings secured on sewer work: The board did approve one action item during the Aug. 9 meeting, which Zadell said should result in significant savings to township taxpayers. Commissioner Ruth Damsker moved to authorize Zadell to execute a contract for storm sewer pipe lining with SWERP, Sewer & Water Evaluation and Rehabilitation Procedures, a vendor authorized under the state’s COSTARS bidding system. If the township had chosen to dig up and replace the pipes instead of adding new lining, the cost to do so “probably would cost upwards of $1 million,” Zadell said, compared to a quoted cost of just under $220,000 for the lining.
“It’s much better to do this than to dig out the pipe, which is much more laborintensive,” she said.
Other approvals ahead: The commissioners also heard previews of several items coming to the board for approvals on Aug. 17.
Among those approvals will be a vote to advertise an ordinance amending the township’s traffic codes to add “No Blocking Intersection’ signage at the intersection of Oakland Place and Sumneytown Pike.
“When Sumneytown Pike gets backed up, people block Oakland, and can’t see to make a turn,” Zadell said.
Other approvals scheduled for Aug. 17 include payments for the township’s summer road program, and work on the long-discussed sewer diversion and expansion projects. Another ordinance is also scheduled for a vote to advertise, which Zadell said will change certain language in the codes establishing the township’s human relations commission.
“We’ve met with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, and they just made a couple of suggested improvements to our ordinance, which is what you see here,” she said.