Reverse Subdivision

Melissa Englund and Julie Hartnett representing the Gladstone Civic Association asked for the Commission’s approval to place donated park benches on the Gladstone Manor parklet.   The group had successfully submitted their plan for improving the parklet to the LPC a year ago.  The plan is currently stalled in front of Borough Council.

Mr. Smith made a motion that the LPC recommend the plan to install two benches in the parklet with a provision for future benches and also recommend to Borough Council  the re-consideration of and action on the plan that was submitted a year ago.  Ms. Schaner seconded the motion.  With the exception of Mr. Bartmann who recused himself from the vote, the motion passed unanimously.

• 24-48 West Baltimore Pike zoning appeal has been rescheduled; the developer is in discussions with Borough Council and the Borough Manager.
• 110 S. Wycombe – the engineer has revised the plans.  The developer will be at the June 9^th LPC meeting.
• The Theater owners are hoping to get bathrooms working; currently there is limited power in the building and no heating or air conditioning.
• Ms. Floresta has requested that Steve Wagner look into the possibility of reducing LPC membership from 7 to 5.

Mr. Bennett, a bicycle advocate and member of the Bike Path Subcommittee was in attendance to report on the subcommittee’s progress and on other initiatives that are ongoing in the County:

• There are plans to develop the Darby Creek Greenway.
• “Bicyclist’s Baltimore Pike,” the County’s only bike route is in place connecting Swarthmore with University City and signs are up.

The Bike Path Subcommittee met for one year:

• Created bike loop (The Lansdowne Loop).
• Developed plan to install bike racks around town at parks, schools, the library, Borough Hall and across from the Lansdowne Theater.
• Researched the possibility of having “sharrows” painted on borough streets.

Next Steps:

• The subcommittee needs to reform and should interact with the Public Safety Committee of Borough Council. Ms. Floresta will share a copy of the Loop map with Chief Kortan and members of the safety committee.
• Get information about sharrows to the Borough Manager.
• Decide what type of bike racks to acquire. Perhaps local businesses could sponsor them.
• Research funding.
• Get public input perhaps at the Lansdowne Farmer’s Market. Ms. Floresta will investigate reserving a spot at an upcoming market Saturday.

Other Ideas:

• Ask the Borough to request free “Share the Road” signs from PennDOT to be placed on Baltimore Pike and Lansdowne Avenue.

Bike planning is usually done in tandem with pedestrian planning. School district could apply for “safe routes to schools” funding.

• Ms Floresta reviewed the new submittal schedule.  All plans for discussion should be submitted 2 weeks in advance of an LPC meeting to the Borough Codes Director who will forward them to LPC members within a week of the meeting.  The schedule will be posted on the Borough website.
• Mr. Bartmann distributed articles and commented that all members should have copies of all borough plans, codes, etc.

Ms. Schaner will bring a copy of the LPC’s “action list” to the next meeting.