June 2023 e-Newsletter

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Lower Gwynedd Township Upcoming Meetings & Events:

June 1, 2023

Pride Flag Raising Ceremony-Veterans Park-6pm

June 8

Zoning Hearing Board-6pm

June 12

EAC-Kiss the Ground Movie-Pre-registration required-7pm

June 14

Environmental Advisory Council-7pm

June 15

Historical Advisory Committee-6pm

June 16

EAC Bird Walk-8:30am Treweryn Farm Trail

June 17

EAC-Composting Presentation-9am-11:30am

June 17

Juneteenth Community Picnic-Bethlehem Baptist Church- 2pm-4pm

June 17

MONTCO Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event-Norristown High School

June 18

Father's Day

June 19

Juneteenth-Offices Closed

June 20

Parks & Recreation Board Meeting-6pm

June 21

Concert In the Park-Oxford Park- 7pm-8pm

June 21

Planning Commission Meeting-7pm

June 27

Board of Supervisors Meeting-7pm

June 28

Concert In the Park-Oxford Park- 7pm-8pm

General News

Spring House Intersection Improvement Project:

Roadway improvements at the intersection of Sumneytown Pike/Norristown Road are beginning. The roadway construction consists of widening on Norristown Road and Sumneytown Pike to provide additional through lanes in the eastbound and westbound directions, traffic signal improvements, sidewalk and trail modifications on the north side of Norristown Road and both sides of Sumneytown Pike, and ADA ramp upgrades. The majority of the proposed work is within PennDOT, Montgomery County, or Lower Gwynedd Township right-of-way. While this will not be a complete closure, lane restrictions will apply. Also, there will be temporary closures of the walking path along Norristown Road to allow for brush and vegetation removal.

Share Your Vision for Lower Gwynedd!


Lower Gwynedd Township is in the process of drafting a new comprehensive plan, and we want to hear from you! The plan will provide a vision for the future of the township and a framework for the management of development in the township over the next 20 years. Your opinion is important to help us understand the issues that are most important to you both in your neighborhood and at the township-wide scale.


If you live, work, shop, or otherwise spend time in Lower Gwynedd, we invite you to complete the community survey, and let us know your thoughts!


Please share this survey with your friends and neighbors:


https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LGwynCompPlan

 

Pen-Ambler Parking Lot Temporarily closed May 22nd-June 6th:

The parking lot at Pen-Ambler Park is temporarily closed so that drainage work can be completed. The parking lot is anticipated to reopen by June 6th, 2023. The parking lot will be paved this Fall.

Congratulations Class of 2023!


The Board of Supervisors would like to congratulate all of our graduates in Lower Gwynedd Township. Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors!

Kiwanis Club of Ambler's Annual 4th of July Carnival & Fireworks Display


The Kiwanis Club of Ambler will hold their annual 4th of July carnival and fireworks display this summer! The carnival will run from July 4th through July 8th with the fireworks scheduled for Friday, July 7th, 2023. For more information contact the Kiwanis Club of Ambler.

Montgomery County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events


The Montgomery County Recycling Commission will be holding household hazardous waste collections this year. The schedule is linked below along with the acceptable items. Pre-registration is required. The June collection is at Norristown Area High School.


June-Pride Month

The Lower Gwynedd Township BOS approved Resolution #2023-13 by a 4-1 vote, declaring June, 2023 to be LGBTQ Pride Month and directed staff to fly the pride flag throughout the month of June, 2023 at Veterans Memorial Park. A flag raising ceremony will be held on June 1st, 2023. Details are listed below.

Green Tip of the Month from the EAC

Plant Native!

Why Native Plants Matter - Restoring native plant habitat is vital to preserving biodiversity. By creating a native plant garden, each patch of habitat becomes part of a collective effort to nurture and sustain the living landscape for birds and other animals. (source: National Audubon Society). To read more details about why this matters so much click here

In the next few months, while things are growing and residents are planting in their yards we are focusing our green tips on native plants that you can incorporate into your home gardens, particularly those that can replace non-native invasive species that have been very common landscape plants that many residents likely have in their garden beds around their homes. These non-natives provide very little, if any, benefit to the native fauna of our area, and frequently escape into the wild areas, become invasive and out-competing natives for resources they need to survive and create the biodiversity we need.

Plant This: 

Sweet pepperbush aka Summersweet (clethra alnifolia)

Not this:

Butterfly Bush (buddleja davidii)

Or this:

Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica)

Friday, June 16th 8:30am Bird Walk @ Penllyn Woods. Please email lgteac+birdtown@gmail.com to be added to the email list in case of a cancellation and for reminders about upcoming walks, scheduled for the third Friday of each month at a local LGT park.

Committee Updates

Boards & Committee Updates

Board of Supervisors (BOS)

The BOS held their first regular meeting of the month on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. The BOS approved Resolution 2023-11 granting preliminary/final approval to the Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School Land Development. The project includes a 20,000 square foot addition to the existing high school. The applicant will provide easements for future sidewalk/trail connections and will add more trees near the ball fields. The BOS also authorized the advertisement of an ordinance amendment pertaining to traffic impact fees, and the advertisement for bids for traffic signal equipment improvements at the intersection of Norristown Road and Tennis Avenue. In other business, the BOS agreed to allow the contractor for the Spring House Intersection Improvement Project to use a defined portion of 901 Sumneytown Pike as a staging area.


At the second meeting of the BOS on May 23rd, the BOS recognized the Police Department and Officer Tim Evard for his work in guiding the department on their third successful reaccreditation. They also recognized Officer William Henry for his work on the Community Response Unit and for organizing a very successful "Touch a Truck" event that was held on May 21st. The Township Engineer gave a presentation on recommendations resulting from the Houston Creek Flood Study. He reviewed the potential projects and estimated costs. The BOS will prioritize the recommendations and pursue grant funding to assist in the implementation. In other business, the BOS approved Resolution 2023-13 designating June as Pride Month in a 4-1 vote with Supervisor Hunsicker opposing. The resolution sparked an in-depth public comment period where community members voiced their support and their concerns about the location of the pride flag at Veterans Memorial Park. Ultimately, the Township voted to move forward with the flag raising as proposed, this will occur on June 1st, and to look into adding a second flagpole at the Township Buidling in the future. Following this discussion, the BOS reviewed a proposed historical marker program developed by the Historical Advisory Committee. The BOS then voted to authorize the advertisement of an ordinance establishing the marker program. They also authorized advertisement of an ordinance that will create tax credits for volunteer firefighters who live in Lower Gwynedd. Finally, they approved a series of requests by the Environmental Advisory Council including authorization to purchase licensing to show two movies, Kiss the Ground and Winged Migration, and authorization to create a Going Green Award.


The BOS will operate under their summer schedule beginning in June where they will meet one time per month. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at 7pm.

Historical Advisory Committee (HAC)


The BOS will consider adopting a new historical marker program at their meeting on June 27th. The HAC recommended the program in response to citizen interest and in connection with the township's 325th anniversary this year. The Township received a grant to replace the weight-restricted bridge on Old Bethlehem Pike. The HAC discussed how to document the history of the bridge in this location, which may date as far back as the 1730s. Next month, the HAC will review easement templates that would enable current owners to voluntarily protect their historic properties through their deed.

 

Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB)

The Zoning Hearing Board met in May and heard the following applications. The ZHB will meet on June 8th, 2023, and hear the applications listed below.


May Hearings- May 11, 2023:

1202 Kingsley Court: A-1 Residential District: Applicant seeks a variance to allow a new covered porch within the rear yard setback of a single-family dwelling. (Approved)


1137 McKean Road: A-1 Residential District: Applicant seeks a variance to allow a swimming pool less than 25 ft. from the rear property line and a variance to allow impervious coverage to exceed 25%. (Continuance)


1512 Cedar Hill Road: A-1 Residential District: Applicant seeks a variance to allow a minimum side yard setback less than 45 ft at a single-family dwelling. (Approved)


June Hearings- June 8, 2023:

1137 McKean Road: A-1 Residential District: Applicant seeks a variance to allow a swimming pool less than 25 ft. from the rear property line and a variance to allow impervious coverage to exceed 25%.


824 Penllyn Pike: A-1 Residential District: Applicant seeks a variance to allow a primary residence within the required side yard setback and a variance to allow a detached garage to be located within the front yard setback.


Planning Commission Meeting (PC)

The PC did not meet in May. Their next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at 7pm.



Please check the website for the most current agenda.

Departmental Round-Up

Public Works Department


We're Hiring- Multiple Openings for Public Works Laborers


Lower Gwynedd Township is seeking applications for Public Works Laborers. These full-time positions will be responsible for maintenance and repair of parks, open space, rights-of-way, walking trails, roadways, storm and sanitary sewer and Township-owned and maintained properties, as well as snow removal. The desired applicants are preferred to have basic knowledge of the day-to-day operations of a municipal Public Works Department along with prior construction, maintenance, or trade experience. Current valid PA driver’s license required with Class A Commercial driver’s license with Tanker Endorsement required within 6 months of hire. Firefighter 1 preferred. Please submit all applications with resumes to Fred Zollers, Public Works Director, P.O. Box 625, Spring House, PA 19477 or e-mail fzollers@lowergwynedd.org. These positions will remain open until filled.

Police Department

The BOS recognized the Police Department and Officer Tim Evard for his work in guiding the department on their third successful reaccreditation. Accreditation helps police departments operate more professionally, justify their operations, and promote trust in their community. Accreditation programs require agencies to assess high-liability areas of their operations, provide officers more training, and hold officers accountable to policy and training compliance. Accreditation also promotes transparency and self-reflection within an agency, which fosters a culture of accountability. The BOS also recognized Officer William Henry for his work on the Community Response Unit and for organizing a very successful "Touch a Truck" event that was held on May 21st.

 Lower Gwynedd Township

1130 North Bethlehem Pike

Spring House, PA 19477

Phone: (215) 646-5302

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Keep an eye out for our July issue!