Hatboro At Odds Over Sidewalks

The Hatboro Borough Council is mulling over the possibility of requiring a property owner to install sidewalks along a street where none currently exist. 

While reviewing a minor subdivision for 121 W. Lehman Ave. which involves dividing the land into two roughly 7,300 square foot lots to eventually house a pair of dwelling units, Councilman Bill Tompkins pointed out that sidewalks will be installed “two houses down” as part of a grant through the Home Town Streets and Safe Routes to School program. The effort provides sidewalks and curb ramps along streets that feed into a school area, officials have said.

The landowner, who had been seeking a waiver to avoid installing a sidewalk, said he would add a sidewalk, if the governing body preferred he do so. But, on Monday, the council could not make a decision.

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Borough solicitor Christen Pionzio said she would draft two resolutions for consideration at the council’s March 25 meeting–one requesting the landowner pay a fee in lieu of sidewalks; and the other requiring sidewalks be installed. 

Zygmont argued that requiring the property owner to install sidewalks, even in close proximity to where others are planned, was “an oddity.”

“If we want to go and say that on West Lehman between York and Chester we want sidewalks, let’s do that and set the trigger that’s going to make people put sidewalks in,” Zygmont said. “Right now making this guy put sidewalks in … and setting that up as a permanent situation doesn’t make sense to me.”

There is an expense to adding and maintaining sidewalks as well, Zygmont added.

“People have to understand that if they want sidewalks in they’re going to have to pay for them,” he said.

Resident Ed Henry said that unless the borough makes it uniform, sidewalks would be a “hodge podge.”

“Either all or none,” Henry said. “You guys have got to figure that part out.”

Tompkins said sidewalks would make for safer walking in the area of Pennypack Elementary School, particularly when the school lets out and later during rush hour.

Resident Ron Battis said that last year, sidewalks are on the Upper Moreland side of the road, but not on the Hatboro side. 

Battis said the council required that a Tanner Avenue commercial facility add sidewalks and said, “we have to do this with every plan.”

“I think it’s time we start putting in sidewalks wherever we get a chance,” Battis said. “Let’s get sidewalks in this town and stop fooling around.”

Later, during public comment, resident Raymond Flack said the Hatboro Area YMCA posted signs notifying passerby not to walk on their property. But, Flack said sidewalks are not consistent in the South York Road area where the YMCA is located. 

“You’re walking literally on a hill on an unkempt section of sidewalk,” said Flack, who has limited walking abilities due to Multiple Sclerosis, “or on a four-lane road.”

Hatboro officials said they could not require that the YMCA install sidewalks on its property because it is not borough-owned. 

Do you think Hatboro should require that sidewalks be installed? Would you be willing to pay for sidewalks installation and maintenance at your property? Tell us in the comments.