Swarthmore Planning Commission
Minutes of April 18, 2007
Swarthmore Borough Hall

Attendees: Chair Tim Kearney, Vice-Chair Tom Shaffer, Al Federico, Joe Foglio, David Grove, Laura Memenger, Mike Peters, Leslie Price, and David Virgil. Guests: Peg Hebner Christenson, Mary Lou Parker, Don Delson, Susan Wright

1. Minutes - The minutes of the March 21, 2007 meeting were approved on a motion by D. Grove, seconded by J. Foglio.

2. Continuation of the Discussion of Issues Relating to the Demolition of Historic Structures – M. Peters suggested that the Planning Commission (PC) should see the ordinance that was drafted and Borough Council President P. Christenson agreed. Following discussion, D. Grove recommended and the PC agreed that T. Kearney should distribute to the PC members the draft ordinance, the list of questions from Council, and the two demolition ordinances from Lansdowne and Upper Chichester. M.L. Parker added that the PC should also see the Historic Preservation Task Force comments. T. Shaffer suggested that Michel Lefevre of the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission should be invited to a meeting to discuss historic preservation regulations and answer questions.

3. Action Items in the Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan for the Planning Commission; Traffic Calming – M.L. Parker and P. Christenson told the PC that Borough Council’s Public Safety Committee recommends the formation of a traffic calming committee to develop a process for selecting locations for traffic calming. A. Federico remarked that a neighborhood, rather than only one household, needs to request traffic calming. Typically, there is an annual application period for resident requests as part of an official process which includes selection criteria. He said that a speed hump costs approximately $2,500 to $4,000. More extensive traffic calming facilities could cost from $10,000 to $40,000. P. Christenson added that residents have requested traffic calming on ten streets; she will provide the PC with the list. T. Kearney asked A. Federico to provide the PC with a definition of traffic calming. The PC will inform Borough Council and the public about traffic calming and costs.

4. Other – M.L. Parker announced that Borough Council approved the Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan, provided that all of the PC recommendations and the Delaware County Planning Commission recommendations are incorporated into it.

P. Christenson informed the PC that a follow-up meeting to the deer symposium will be held on April 25th. The Federal Aviation Administration will hold a public hearing on May 1st on the airspace redesign project.
The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Tom Shaffer