Eagle Road Project To Be Phased

Eagle Road Project To Be Phased
By Lois Puglionesi, CORRESPONDENT - News Of Delaware County

HAVERFORD TWP. — With controversy still brewing over plans to revitalize the West Eagle Road corridor, the Haverford Township Planning Commission voted Thursday to adjust its recommendations and propose a phased plan to the board of commissioners.
If approved, the first phase of the project would address the corridor’s two north-south gateway areas, at Lawrence Road and Oakmont Village.

Sparking the lion’s share of disagreement, plans for the central corridor would go back to the drawing board for further public discussion of issues and possible solutions.

“At this point the township would move forward with Phase 1 because there is support from those property owners,” said Assistant Township Manager Lori Hanlon-Widdop.

“The middle area … will require more input … before any plan is advanced because of the number of persons who approached the township to express concerns."

Although the Commission previously recommended approval of a redevelopment plan for the entire thoroughfare, the board of commissioners took no action after a group of angry business owners and residents voiced opposition. The group said they were not aware of the planning process.

Reiterating his concerns, dentist Chris Furlan pointed to traffic and parking as two "800 pound gorillas" the prior plan ignored. Its proposed elimination of curb cuts and dedicated parking in favor of a one-way access road with shared blocks of angled parking would decrease total number of spaces, inconvenience patrons and tenants, and exacerbate already severe traffic congestion, Furlan said. He also questioned whether pedestrians would feel safe on a proposed promenade between the access road and right-of-way.

But a number of residents including Eileen Kerr, Andrea Heinrich and Melissa Eastman emphasized need for improved pedestrian safety, walkability, and visual appeal on the busy shopping strip.

Architect Gary Bogossian pointed to vibrant commercial areas like Suburban Square that employ shared parking.
Widdop said working groups will be formed to zero in on particular issues.
"None of us want to advance a plan that's a detriment to the business community," said Widdop. "We want to back up, give this another look, ask what are we doing wrong and how can we fix it."

Widdop also reviewed potential gateway improvements, such as refurbishing the Oakmont Municipal Parking lot, perhaps in a way that would duplicate the highly successful Brookline lot. Widdop noted the township could apply for grants and funding once Phase 1 is approved.
Pedestrian crosswalks, benches, attractive street lights and signage could also be installed with minor disruption.
Haverford Township Civic Council President Don Kelly emphasized the need to keep Haverford, an older inner-ring suburb, vibrant and competitive.

"If we do something exciting that sets us apart, we'll draw more people to businesses and increase property values…If you're not moving forward you are moving backward," Kelly said.
The Civic Council Task Force for Commercial Revitalization held a series of public meetings before advancing the Eagle Road initiative to the Planning Commission. The Commission hired professional planner Tom Comitta to develop a plan, which is technically an addendum to the township's 1988 Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan identified Eagle Road and Haverford Road as areas for future study.

However, "We have no intention of hoisting this on anybody," said Kelly. "It's very important that you are organized and participating. We're not locked into any plan. We're locked into the idea of making this a better community and improving this district."

Commissioner Rob Trumbull said it was the "first of many meetings" that will be held on the matter. While he didn't expect everyone to be happy with the final product, Trumbull said the main goals was majority support.

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