Great Valley Association (GVA)
Principal points from the GVA’s Meeting on February 23, 2009 at 7 p.m. in Keene Hall at the Tredyffrin Township Building.
Sound Wall Sizes…
The height of sound walls planned in Tredyffrin are 16 ft., 14 ft., and 12 ft. No plan has shown the elevations, yet. Four gaps in the wall are proposed. The GVA believes three of these gaps are excellent, but they are concerned about the fourth.
Mr. Dave Moskowitz, the GVA’s lawyer reports…
- A second sound study will be done in Tredyffrin to address the height of the walls, but it would only have value as a recommendation. The PTC would not be obligated to follow its recommendations.
- The properties slated for taking have not been taken, yet. He stressed that they must follow eminent domain rules, and serve papers to the owners.
- There are well-established statutes regarding storm water management, but there are none for sound barriers.
- There is a certain quantity of storm water to be controlled. So, obviously, removing a basin from one location would mean replacing a basin elsewhere.
What to do?
GVA recommends writing letters. Emails and faxes are not as useful. Letters carry more weight. (Duh!) One from each family is sufficient. Governors give letters extra consideration; one letter speaks for 100 families. GVA says please don’t object to the expansion itself. See Legislators’ Page for addresses. Please write to the following:
- Governor Ed Rendell with copies sent to Rep. Paul Drucker and Senators Dinniman.
- Mr. Mitch Rubin, Chairman of the PTC.
- Mr. Steve Norcini, Tredyffrin Township’s Director of Authority Operations at Tredyffrin Twp. Building. Tredyffrin wants to keep track of how many residents are concerned about this.
- GVA , just send them your email, so they can keep you informed.
-A Pen in the Woods
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
A Pen in The Woods 