Tredyffrin Township - Sidewalk Project

October 1, 2007 BOS Presentation

YARD FOR A YARD Sidewalk Project

Daylesford Station thru Conestoga Road

The following letter was presented to the BoS 10/07 along with a petition singed by the residents

As a resident on the South side of Old Lancaster Road (between Daylesford Sta:on and Conestoga Road), I’m forwarding this to you as a request that you implement the YARD FOR A YARD proposal.

Background: We realize that TE has every inten:on of implemen:ng the sidewalk project. Of course those most vocal in support are not those on the South side who have just learned how the plan impacts their property. We recognize that we are absolutely at the mercy of the BOS. While we have brought up concerns at the public mee:ngs, the responses have con:nuously been that we are not to worry, that this is a planning phase and that the studies and surveying were for exploratory purposes only. Further, we were promised to be kept up to date regarding the layout (reference final ques:on from June Q&A: hTp://www.tredyffrin.org/pdf/community/Q&A%20from%206-‐6-‐07%20STAP%20Mee:ng.pdf).

You may find it unfair that this is your first formal no:ce that residents are reques:ng a YARD FOR A YARD. We understand that. We too find it unfair that last week was the first :me we were provided a diagram that illustrates the actual impact to our proper:es and the fact that this isn’t “exploratory” – that the engineer expects to be able to send the final plan to the DOT in by mid-‐month. Un:l last week, the only thing we’ve seen is the map that iden:fies where we have sidewalks today and where the township proposes to add them.

Proposal: YARD FOR A YARD is a proposal (personal request) made by the residents on the South side of Old Lancaster. We believe that it will help alleviate what is otherwise, an unfair burden placed on us. Under a YARD FOR A YARD, we ask for the following: Shid the current design by 3’ towards the North side of Old Lancaster.

For the South side residents:

Saves a significant por:on of mature landscaping & placement of fences;

Area of easement u:lized is reduced from the planned 22’ down to 19’;

Significantly reduces the loss of exis:ng driveway space;

Provides approximately 90% of the residents the opportunity to save what is currently “yard space” – placing the construc:on primarily along the current shoulder;

And shows us that you listen and respond to tax-‐payers when they offer a compromise.

Continued…

For the North side residents: Minimal impact to property (approximately 14’ of the 25’ easement);

Ability to enjoy sidewalk without having any responsibility towards it;

And, promotes a “neighborly” culture (leaves the S. side less defensive).

For pedestrians:

A 3’ shid to the North does not impact them one way or another – if anything, more shade to walk in.

For the Township:

Support: of tax-‐payers/voters to move on to Phase II;

Tax dollars: While property value will s:ll be impacted (prospec:ve buyers recognize they have sidewalk responsibili:es, no parking for guests, minimal front-‐footage), the impact is reduced to an extent by virtue of the fact that there remains mature landscaping and the sidewalks are that much further from front doors, 3’ of driveway saved, reduced incen:ve to put homes on the market;

And apprecia4on of residents and voters that recognize that you listened and reacted on our behalf. We have no power – you serve as our voice.

Conclusion: As a :ghtly knit neighborhood, we will do our best to work together helping our elderly neighbors with their sidewalks responsibility and, also maintain our own. We will do our best to take care of the landscaping responsibili:es that accompany the bump-‐outs. We will try to keep the neighborhood safe and friendly and work together to find common ground when it comes to the further complicated parking situa:on.

What we ask that you do in return is to shid the design by three feet (a yard) to save our yards! The YARD FOR A YARD proposal requests that tax-‐payers (not budgets) be the driver for the final design.

Respecmully,

Residents of the South side of Old Lancaster Road


Old Lancaster Road Daylesford Station thru Conestoga Road

Conestoga Students Heading to Their Cars

Note: Students park up to 20 cars per day along Old Lancaster (Daylesford section). These students “walking” to their parked cars were included in the survey TE conducted to validate the need for sidewalks.

Ample shoulder –currently used (safely …and without sidewalks)



Historic Homes Are Those Most Impacted

Most homes on the South side were built before 1950.

Most homes on the North side were built after 1950.



1135 Old Lancaster Road – built in 1929

Sidewalk edge (current plan)

vs. edge if “A Yard” was added



1149 Old Lancaster Road – built in 1929

Properties were constructed with safe & ample room for walking as shown in this photo.



1145 Old Lancaster – built in 1929

___ (red line) depicts the planned edge of the sidewalk.

Shifting road 3’ to the North (left) saves the trees, bushes and 3’ of current driveway.



1131 Old Lancaster – Built in 1929



North Side of Old Lancaster Facing East

North Side of Old Lanc facing West (showing 10’ between white line and utility pole. We’re merely requesting that 3’ of it be utilized - that the existing white line be pushed 3’ this direction.

Shifting the plan 3’ this direction (and there’s ample room) saves a “yard” this side of the road even though this side still takes on the sidewalk.



#1111 (built in 1926) and 1117 Old Lancaster

Planned sidewalk edge



1111 and 1101 Old Lancaster – both built in 1926

The hedge and tree shown in this photo could be spared if you gave them “a yard.”



1085 Old Lancaster – built in 1900



The Dannaker’s Property

Water main in path of sidewalk (blue portion of measuring tape = proposed edge of sidewalk). 3’ saves the yard from being dug-up, save current walkway, hedge and driveway.



1201 Old Lancaster

Planned edge of sidewalk

This tree will cut down unless you give it ‘a yard.’



1217 Old Lancaster

So What Did the Township Do?

Before & After Photos Sidewalk Project

South-side of Old Lancaster Road

Before and After 1135 Old Lancaster Road

Equally drastic is the change in view looking “out” our windows. Full-disclosure: the township is replacing the trees… the replacements have (wait for it…) 2” trunks. Gee, thanks

Before After

Before and After

It’s almost unrecognizable.

Before After

Before and After

•  Exposed much?

Before After

Before and After

•  In front of one of TE’s oldest houses Before After

2 Examples of the Trunk Size 42” trunk 36” trunk

These majestic trees will be replaced with trees that have between 1.5” and 2” trunks

Before and After

•  So much for privacy

Before After

TE Has Spoken •  You will give up your land like it or not. In fact, we’re taking 15’ deep x property width (> 2,000 s/f ) •  You will have a 5’ sidewalk, a 5’ sidewalk extension and a 2’ shoulder. While the SCHOOL doesn’t

even have this overkill, you will because you are on a State owned road. •  We will continue to tax your property as if it were the original parcel. It doesn’t matter that 2,000 s/f of it

has been converted to public property. •  We will take your trees and landscaping. Sucks for you that our replacement trees won’t be worth 1/10th

of the cost we can get for selling your trees as firewood. •  We will take the coveted parking that you depended on when you bought your house. It is of no concern

to us that contractors, public safety, friends & family will have no where to park. •  You will maintain the sidewalk -like it or not. In fact, if you don’t, you will be fined $600/day. •  You will be responsible for daily watering and care of the new grass and trees plantings. Not our

problem if you don’t have time (work/travel) and the new plantings die. •  If a driver hits the curb and doesn’t own-up to it, you (the homeowner) will be made financially

responsible even if the damage was the results of a Pa DOT plow or a drunk driver. •  You will be responsible for the safety of pedestrians. If someone trips or slips in front of your house, it’s

you that they must take to court. The township is making you legally responsible. •  You will figure out how to shovel 750 s/f +/-. It doesn’t matter that NONE of you have a garage (room

for a snow blower) and therefore, will need to shovel by hand or pay someone. We will not help you get rid of snow. We will not reduce your property tax to accommodate the loss of

land. We’ll take & take. We’re giving you ‘nothing.’ We won’t even consider a split in the share of maintenance and repair. While we “could” have budgeted a couple hundred dollars for tree replacement along the State owned sections (significant land-loss & tree age), we won’t. We’ll give you 1.5”-2” tree trunks because really, 4” tree trunks is asking too much.

Tree Facts Large trees are great stormwater control. At maturity, they intercept, over 1,000 gallons of rainwater each year. Their foliage and bark reduce runoff by intercepting rainfall, and their broad–leaf canopies also reduce the force of rain hitting the soil, reducing erosion. Source: Monthly Stormwater Planner for Residents of Chester and Delaware Counties

•  Trees renew our air supply by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. •  The amount of oxygen produced by an acre of trees per year equals the amount

consumed by 18 people annually. One tree produces nearly 260 pounds of oxygen each year.

•  One acre of trees removes up to 2.6 tons of carbon dioxide each year. •  Shade trees can make buildings up to 20 degrees cooler in the summer. •  Trees lower air temperature by evaporating water in their leaves. •  Tree roots stabilize soil and prevent erosion. •  Trees improve water quality by slowing and filtering rain water, as well as protecting

aquifers and watersheds. •  The cottonwood tree seed is the seed that stays in flight the longest. The tiny seed is

surrounded by ultra-light, white fluff hairs that can carry it on the air for several days. Source: http://www.treesaregood.com/funfacts/Environment.aspx

This one block alone lost 7 trees (shown in red)

X X X X X X X

Value* Before and After These 7 trees alone ‘earned’ an estimated $1,645/year…and of course there are many additional benefits (wind-protection, privacy, history, aesthetics…) that add personal value.

Trunk size of 30” = $235/tree

Trunk size of 2” = $6/tree

“Many people don’t realize, however, that plants have a dollar value of their own that can be measured by competent plant appraisers. If your trees or shrubs are damaged or destroyed, you may be able to recapture your loss through an insurance claim or as a deduction from your federal income tax. “ Hmmm… wonder if that applies when the federal government funded the ‘loss’… *Source: treesaregood.com

FYI: Sidewalk Repair Costs http://www.costhelper.com/cost/home-garden/sidewalk-repair.html

•  Although sidewalks are usually built on a public right-of-way on the edge of a property, in many areas the property owner is financially responsible for installing and maintaining the sidewalk and replacing it if it becomes cracked or damaged. Some cities have 50-50 programs where either city staff or a hired contractor does the work, then the city bills the homeowner for half the cost of the new sidewalk. In other places, especially in new developments built in the last few decades, homeowners are responsible for all the costs, and may hire their own contractor to build a sidewalk or replace a damaged one. Typical costs:

•  Hiring a contractor to pour a concrete sidewalk runs around $5 -$9 a square foot, or $1,500 -$2,250 for a sidewalk 5 feet wide and 50 feet long. Depending on the type of finish used, costs can be as high as $10 -$18 or more a square foot, or $2,500 -$4,500 for a 5-by-50-foot sidewalk.

•  Materials and rental tools for a DIY project run about $3 -$4 a square foot, or $750 -$1,000 for a 5-by-50-foot sidewalk.

•  Most sidewalks are repaired by removing and replacing the old concrete, but if the damage is minimal (short cracks only 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide or if a portion of the sidewalk is raised no more than 1 to 1-1/2 inches) repairs may be possible. For small cracks you can patch the concrete with ready-mix concrete patch, concrete grout or caulk. For a slightly raised edge you can grind it down. Do-it-yourself materials will cost $10 -$50, depending on materials used and whether you need to rent a masonry grinder.

•  Hiring a handyman or concrete worker to do simple patching or grinding runs about $50 -$200, depending on the amount of work needed (and most contractors won't handle jobs this small). Some cities will do minor patching work then bill the homeowner, and grinding down a raised portion might be done by city employees at no charge. However, patching or grinding a sidewalk is often considered a temporary fix, and eventually it may be necessary to remove and re-pour the concrete. (And some cities require replacement rather than repair.)

Tredyffrin is installing “best management practice” sidewalks. The costs will obviously be much higher than the estimates above. Homeowners are responsible for sidewalks AND bump-outs. PennDOT isn’t likely to be sensitive to that when they take their oversized plows down Old Lancaster, so I asked TE to comment (BoS Meeting) on what estimated repair costs would be for homeowners. They ignored my request.

50/50 Sidewalk Program I brought the following examples to the BoS, Steve Burgo & the sidewalk committee to see if TE would be willing to consider a similar plan. They ignored the request.

•  City of St. Louis http://stlcin.missouri.org/FAQs/displaytopicdetail.cfm?TopicID=567 Sidewalk repair and maintenance is legally the responsibility of the property owner. Likewise, owners must maintain a path on their sidewalk that is free from snow and ice. The City does, however, offer a program called the 50/50 Sidewalk Program in which the City covers 1/2 the costs of replacing sidewalks, and bills the owner for the rest of the cost. To qualify for the 50/50 sidewalk program your property must be single-family, 2-family, or 4-family, and owner-occupied. •  City of Evanston

http://www.cityofevanston.org/departments/publicworks/transportation/sidewalk.shtml •  Beleville, IL http://belleville.wliinc2.com/city/departments/50-50SidewalkApplication.pdf

Tredyffrin Township - Sidewalk Project

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