CHCA calls for traffic study amid increasing safety concerns

by JAMES STURDIVANT

Recent concerns about increased traffic and pedestrian safety in Chestnut Hill have led the CHCA to request a traffic study from the streets department and take steps toward reinstituting the community association's moribund traffic and transportation committee.

An action item to approve the request for a traffic study formed the basis of a lively discussion at Thursday's CHCA board meeting centering on the speed and volume of traffic on residential streets -- especially since the closure of Cresheim Valley Drive -- and its effect on quality of life.

Winston Road residents John and Jennifer Follo, introduced by board member Bob Previdi, testified to the dangers that result from speeding in residential neighborhoods. The Follos' car, which was parked on Winston Road near Moreland Avenue, was totaled the night of Oct. 11 by a drunk driver who police estimate was going over 50 miles an hour.

"According to Roxy Auto Body ... the vehicle may have been going as fast as 60 miles an hour, which in a neighborhood street is just outrageous," John Follo said.

Jennifer Follo added the kicker -- that the following week, on Oct. 17, the very same accident happened to their parked rental car, involving another driver traveling at a high rate of speed. In both cases, a car was pushed into other parked cars. In neither case were the drivers seriously injured.

"In just six days, there have been two major accidents, three totaled vehicles, two severely damaged vehicles and two people lucky to be alive," John Follo wrote in a letter set to Councilman Frank Rizzo. He added that there have been "numerous" other accidents at the intersection of Winston and Moreland, including several hit-and-runs.

Previdi, who worked as a transportation planner for New York City Transit and on pedestrian safety issues with the Forest Hills (Queens) Action League before moving to Philadelphia, stressed that local groups need to work together to address this issue.

"I understand that West Mt. Airy Neighbors is very upset. I would like us to work together and get information and data.

"Seventy to 80 percent of the traffic coming through these streets is not coming from here or destined for here ... it hurts businesses as well, and I would like to talk to the CHBA about this," he added.

CHCA president Maxine Dornemann moved that the board approve a motion to request a traffic study, which Previdi said would involve entrance and exit counts at each major point of entry around Chestnut Hill done at 15 minute intervals. The motion was approved.

Board member Claire Lemisch's suggestion that the community association re-start the traffic and transportation committee, a long-dormant part of the CHCA's physical division, was greeted with enthusiasm.

"I applaud the idea that we should reinvigorate our focus on traffic concerns," board member Mark Keintz said. Previdi said that he would be willing to chair the committee.

"We need to look at a comprehensive solution. We want to make sure that one solution in one place does not hurt another part of Chestnut Hill," Previdi said.

Committee reports

In other CHCA business, social division vice president Tia Burke said that she is looking for volunteers to help with the planning and implementation of next year's Pastorius Park concerts. Dornemann reported on the success of the most recent blood drive, which saw a great turnout despite having changed locations at the last minute, and Marianne Dwyer of Teenagers, Inc. pitched the upcoming "A Taste of Chestnut Hill" fundraising event (on Nov. 7) at Springside School.

Board member Jane Piotrowski announced that 51 new members signed up at the CHCA booth at the Fall for the Arts festival on Oct. 10, a number close to the target goal of 60 and far exceeding past years' efforts.

"The whole tent was really nice ... a lot of new homeowners stopped by, so we're really going to follow up with these new people," she said.

Physical Division vice president Stan Moat announced that a committee has been formed to discuss "concerns and possible improvements" to the process that home and business owners must undergo in order to receive CHCA support for zoning variances. A motion was passed to officially sanction the information-gathering process, the results of which will be presented to the board at a later date.