PV Civic Meeting March 1, 2023
Topics included our business district on Montgomery Ave., a Penn Valley Tree Tenders upcoming project, a brief update on Township plans for stream bank restorations in PV this year, other TS news, and tips on how to cut English ivy on your property.
Meeting conducted via Zoom
15 attendees
Review of the role of civic associations:
Civics advocate for their communities and aggregate information both to and from township representatives
Civics do not set policy - policy making occurs at the township level by the Board of Commissioners
Commissioners represent wards and Penn Valley spans 3 wards (1, 2 & 3)
Elections are coming up in May for school board and commissioners.
Business District:
Reviewed photos and outcomes from business district walk
Discussed timeline for potential master plan and necessity for county involvement due to boundary with Narberth
Reviewed potential tree planting areas with the goal of obtaining property owner approval for plantings in the fall of 2023. Residents Dan W. and Steve F. will approach owners with concept planting plans created by Michelle D.
Discussed former bank property and nature of incoming business as there were concerns about a dispensary; according to current information it will not be a dispensary
Discussed opportunity to preserve historic mile marker at that site
Resident asked about potential future development including apartments on Montgomery Ave. Steve F. explained current zoning - limits of 3 stories with 1st floor required to be commercial. Redevelopment could take decades as changes will likely only be implemented as building turn over and migrate to new code. Most buildings are owned individually
Upcoming tree planting at Pencoyd Park
In late April, PHS Penn Valley Tree Tenders will plant 3 native trees (a basswood and 2 redbuds) at this TS park adjacent to the TS Transfer Station. These will replace invasive trees lost during recent storms. This follows a successful 2021 volunteer planting of native trees on the opposite side of the park.
Stream Restorations
- PV Civic President Michelle Detwiler gave an overview of stream restoration plans in Penn Valley and concerns with current plans which are ambitious given site constraints like invasive species and limitations on truly reconnecting floodplains. She emphasized the importance of weighing costs and benefits of 2023 planned multi-million projects outside of requirements to obtain DEP pollution reduction credits solely through streambank restorations. Michelle emphasized the importance of upland projects since stream restorations are hard to do well. Residents should be provided more stormwater information including a request that they capture water on individual properties in order to reduce the volume of water and sediment that reaches out streams during increasingly large stormwater events. Beneficial upland projects include rain gardens, bioswales, lawn removal, tree planting and reforestation. PV Civic previously submitted comments to the TS engineer and staff with concerns about the need for denser planting of tree and shrub species to create forested riparian buffers along new restoration areas (like West Mill Creek Park) as well as the need for trained maintenance teams to indefinitely care for extensive new planting areas throughout the TS. Michelle will follow up with the TS manager with concerns including suggesting a conversation with DEP about the permit deadline and encouraging the hiring of skilled environmental professionals to help oversee and maintain green infrastructure projects. The 2015 TS comprehensive plan already called for the hiring of a greening coordinator.
West Mill Creek Park
Michelle D. gave a slideshow overview of the extensive yearly native planting and invasive species removal efforts coordinated by the Friends of West Mill Creek Park in partnership with TS Parks and Recreation at this beloved TS dog park. She also explained the creation of the new entry parking configuration and native plantings and asked that residents not park in the grass adjacent to the park entry. This park is slated for one of the TS’s streambank restoration plans later this year (likely starting in August). The banks will be regraded to reduce the flow rate of stormwater in heavy rain events and hopefully capture sediment with extensive riparian plantings. PVCA gave extensive feedback on the plan during the public comment period in February including a 3 hr walk and talk with the TS engineer in an effort to save mature trees and encourage a robust planting plan.
English ivy
- PV Civic President Michelle Detwiler asked that residents cut English ivy at the base of mature trees this winter since the extent of ivy in our area is compromising the health of our community tree canopy. Ivy can be cut with pruners, a hand saw, or even a knife. Do not pull large vines from trees as this can damage the bark. Vines will brown out and die over time. Be sure not to neglect trees on property lines and at road edges.
Other topics:
- Residents asked about increased prevalence of litter/trash at Righters Mill/Summit and at the Wawa. Discussion about planning community trash pick-up events; idea for civic to fund some trash picker “sticks” that could be lent out for informal clean ups. Discussed particular need for outreach to Wawa and Acme. Steve F. will follow-up with Wawa about trash, the potential for a bike rack and new tree plantings by the Penn Valley Tree Tenders.
-Concerns were also raised about the Mill Creek bridge being closed and the damage to the bridge at Crosby Brown and Mill Creek. Repairs on the Mill Creek bridge will start in a few days.