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Welcome to the new CrossRoads!
Beginning with this issue, CrossRoads will be published quarterly Three issues will be published electronically; the fourth, a print issue, will be mailed to our active members and will feature a summary of our activities and programs of the past year. We hope you enjoy the new CrossRoads!
10th Annual Shindig ~ Nov. 10th
Tickets on sale on or about October 3rd
Haven't renewed your membership? RENEW NOW to buy Shindig tickets at the discounted member rate.
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ROUTE 41: Vision of a Safe 2-Lane Roadway
PennDOT recognizes that Route 41 is exceptionally dangerous, yet its most recent report ("2010 Route 41 Planning Study") contains no substantive provisions for addressing safety. S.A.V.E. is committed to ensuring that PennDOT address safety on Route 41. Together with municipalities in the corridor, S.A.V.E. is working to identify near-and long-term safety improvements using methods proven to calm traffic and increase mobility. The particularly dangerous intersection of Routes 41 and 926 in Londonderry Township is a high priority for S.A.V.E this year. Route 926 crosses Route 41 at an oblique angle at a location where speeds are especially high and sight distance is limited. Hoping to avoid a fatality, the Londonderry Board of Supervisors voted to support a roundabout for this intersection and offered to underwrite a portion of design costs. S.A.V.E. and Londonderry Board of Supervisors Chair, Dick Brown, have held several meetings with elected officials and their staff, to solidify support for this project. Responding to a letter from a Londonderry Township resident reporting a near fatal incident at the intersection, Francis Hanney, Traffic Services Manager/ADA Coordinator at PennDOT District 6-0, stated his support for a 926/41 roundabout. S.A.V.E. interprets this as a step forward by PennDOT and will continue active efforts with Londonderry Township and state officials to make this location the first of several roundabouts on Route 41. Click here to view A Two Lane Alternative for Pennsylvania Route 41 by SmartMobility, Inc. ______________________________________________________ |
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ADVOCACY WATCH: Success with Transportation Improvement Plan
In June, S.A.V.E. led the way addressing a serious oversight in the FY2013 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP): no provision for enhanced safety on Route 41.
S.A.V.E.'s effective public education about the TIP and comment process and model comments assisted community members in speaking out against the misguided plan for widening and limited realignment of Route 41 while neglecting traffic calming.
A total of 39 individuals and 2 Townships spoke out in favor of adding safety modifications to plan.
The public demand for safety first was heard, and the FY2013 TIP modified to state: "Safety, operational, mobility, and infrastructure improvements at priority locations based on the PA 41 Corridor Revised Preliminary Alternatives Analysis (2010) may be identified and advanced if they are eligible improvements for the remaining earma rks." For more information see these links: ______________________________________________________ |
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NEW GARDEN DEVELOPMENT: 10,000 more cars on Route 41?
Route 41 and New Garden Township will look very different if the immense White Clay Point retail complex is built.
Currently, the project is on hold pending the outcome of an appeal filed by Friends of New Garden, a citizens' group supported by S.A.V.E.
Anchored by a 181,000 square foot (4 acre) Walmart and a Wawa, the planned complex will include 716,000 square feet of retail stores and age-restricted housing.
Full development will generate about 10,000 new vehicle trips per day, increasing traffic on Route 41 by more than 50% and placing even more pressure on Avondale.
The developer plans to widen Route 41 to 4 lanes for about one mile (between Sunny Dell Road and Limestone Road) adding turn lanes and signalization to the major intersections. These planned changes would give this section of Route 41 the look and feel of Route 202 or the Kirkwood Highway while increasing congestion in the larger corridor.
New Garden Township approved final plans late in 2011. However, developer, PREIT (Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust), then requested a waiver that would allow subdivision of the tract into condominium lots for sale to individual stores, including Walmart and Wawa. The waiver would permit the subdivision without additional Township review or subdivision approval even though the condominium lots would violate the Township's standards for building sizes and setbacks, impervious coverage and lighting.
The waiver would effectively undermine the Township's own ordinances and set a dangerous precedent for land use control throughout the state.
After the Supervisors approved the waver in November 2011, several members of the Friends of New Garden Township appealed and are now awaiting a decision. Their legal costs are substantial and, depending on the decision, costs may increase significantly.
S.A.V.E. supporters are strongly encouraged to donate to the "New Garden / Preit / Walmart" fund through the S.A.V.E. website. Regardless of the decision, the ultimate fate of the PREIT development is unclear. Timely financial support at this critical juncture will enable Friends of New Garden and S.A.V.E. to respond pro-actively to the court's decision.
For more information go to www.savepa.org ______________________________________________________ |
 © 2002 Robert L. Oliver
"The resource value of the Route 41 area - with its natural, scenic settings, critical role in watershed management, remarkable agricultural productivity, and significant historic culture and Indian trail - is far greater now than the value of the corridor once built out with residential homes and commercial strip developments."
Rikki Saunders
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S.A.V.E.'s Pipeline Safety Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) Closes
 Since 2009 S.A.V.E. and its partners have been working on pipeline safety issues under the auspices of three U.S. Department of Transportation Technical Assistance Grants. September 30 marks the end of this effort for S.A.V.E. and the beginning of a new era of pipeline safety consciousness in Chester County and southeastern Pennsylvania.
Click here to read more.
Thanks to John Gaadt for contributing to this piece.
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VOICES FROM THE VILLAGES 
In June S.A.V.E. said good by to long time Board member and tireless advocate Paula Coyne. We are forever indebted to Paula for her spirit, dedication, and service to our community. S.A.V.E. is grateful to members, Richard and Terry Corkran and John and Lea Reynolds, for establishing S.A.V.E.'s
Paula L. Coyne Memorial Fund.
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Message from the Executive Director
I drove home one evening shortly after taking over as Executive Director savoring the distinctive fragrances of the countryside: soil, grasses, peaty woods and fresh air. I enjoyed the scenery and seeing horses and cows grazing in the fields. It was an early summer evening and what I encountered were some of the most precious elements of our countryside, not the all-too-common heavy traffic, high-speed semis and other perils we too often face on our roadways.
I shared that experience with the Executive Committee days later as we discussed priorities for the new quarter and again with the full board as we reflected on the question, "What is S.A.V.E. today?" Below is our response.
S.A.V.E. has critical work to do to ensure that Route 41 is not slowly and methodically expanded, one bridge or intersection at a time. Our victory in averting a superhighway was monumental, but our work is not done. Ensuring the safety and preservation of our roadway from Gap to Delaware, will require vigilance and a renewed commitment to advocacy in the coming decades as changing budgets, politicians, and personnel buffet PennDOT's priorities.
S.A.V.E.'s resources have tightened, yet our work is as important as ever. Accordingly, we have evaluated our priorities and have decided to return to our founding mission of saving the Route 41 corridor.
S.A.V.E. exists because, we, the residents of Southern Chester County, insist that our voices be heard when government bureaucracies make decisions that affect the face, heart and soul of our community. S.A.V.E. cannot and will not exist without your ongoing support. Together, we enter our 15th anniversary year in keeping this vision and mission alive.
Sincerely,
Julie Gardner
Executive Director
S.A.V.E.
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2012 Annual Giving Donors*
Founders
George Strawbridge, Jr.
Anthony W. Clark
Patrons
Tim & Nina Gardner
Mrs. Louis GuerrinaCarolyn Morrissey
Sponsors
Rocco Manfredi, M.D
Mr. & Mrs. Robert D. McNeil
John & Lea Reynolds
Rikki & Jesse Saunders
Supporters
Mel & Bo Alexander
Joan Stroud Blaine
Julie Gardner
Louis A. Kaplan & Leslee Ann Schad
Midge Leitch
Scott & Roberta Richard
Friends
Franny & Franny Abbott
Lydia Bartholomew
Terry & Richard Corkran
Karen & Grant DeCosta
Kurt Engleman & Kelley Wilson
Philip Fanning
Joyce & Steve Ford
John & Suzanne Gaadt
Daniel Gallagher Masonry
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Giacchino
Helen Patton Leland Fund
Russell B. Jones, Jr.
Matt Kehoe
Peter Kjellerup & Mandy Cabot
Dr. Sandra F. Mather
Mr. & Mrs. Wade L. McDevitt
Barb & Tracy Merges
John T. Moss, V.M.D.
National Bank of Malvern
William O'Neill
Wendy & Skip Powell
Amy Rand
John & Nancy Rittenhouse
Katharine D. Schutt
Barbara Stewart, V.M.D.
George & Gretchen Wintersteen
*List reflects donations made in 2012 as of September 30.
S.A.V.E. is deeply grateful for the generosity of 2011 Donors. _________________________ |
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Like what you see?
Click on Donation Box to provide vital support for S.A.V.E.'s programs. ____________________
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2012 Shindig Sponsors*
Diamond
Ruby
& Schindler Law Group
Emerald
Saphire
Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd.
Umbreit Korengel & Associates, P.C.
Pearl
Daniel Gallagher Masonry
Designs etc.
Longwood Crossfit
The Whip Tavern
*Certain logos contain links to company websites.
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