Consider a Request by Ardmore Initiative to in

Exhibit B
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TOWNSHIP OF LOWER MERION
Building & Planning Committee
Issue Briefing
Topic:
Consider a Request by Ardmore Initiative to install streetscape fixtures on
Township Property and in Public Rights-of Way
Prepared By: Eric Persson, Economic Development Specialist
Date:
I.
June 1, 2016
Action To Be Considered By The Board:
Ardmore Initiative would like the Board of Commissioners to consider for approval their
request to install streetscape improvements, on Township properties and within the
Rights-of Way (ROW) of public streets.
II.
Why This Issue Requires Board Consideration:
The Board of Commissioners must approve any improvements proposed to be installed
on Township property or in the ROW.
III.
Current Policy Or Practice (If Applicable):
It is current policy that proposed improvements within and along State maintained roads
must be first approved by the PA Department of Transportation (PennDOT) before any
consideration would be provided by the Board of Commissioners. Ardmore Initiative
(AI) contacted PennDOT about the proposed locations along Lancaster and Ardmore
Avenues. PennDOT found no issues with their proposal.
IV.
Other Relevant Background Information:
AI is proposing to permanently install 13 bike racks and place up to 29 planters along
Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore Avenue, Cricket Avenue, and Rittenhouse Place. They are
also proposing to install bike racks on Township property at the Ardmore Library and
Schauffele Plaza (see attached Exhibits). Al’s bike racks are proposed to be installed and
anchored onto concrete sidewalk areas; each rack to be a minimum 18 inches from curb
face; 3 feet from any access valves; and allowing at least 4 feet clearance for ADA
accessibility.
Photographs of all the proposed locations, as well as the attached exhibits, have been
forwarded to Public Works and the Traffic Safety Division of the Police Department in
order to review locations for any safety or obstruction issues. This review is currently
underway. However, due to the uniqueness of most of the bike racks, it may not be
possible that formal review can be completed on some racks, until they are actually sited
Exhibit B
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on the ground and reviewed by staff prior to permanent installation. Though individual
sites may be revised after this review, specific sites should still be able to be found that
would be satisfactory, should the Board of Commissioners approve the concept of
locating the bike racks in the ROW in Ardmore. Ardmore Initiative will be responsible
for installation of these installed racks as well as any future maintenance.
AI would also like to place up to 29 planters along Lancaster Avenue. The minimum
placement distance from any curb face, obstruction and ADA clearance would be the
same as for the bike racks described previously. However, unlike the bike racks, the
planters will not be permanently installed; but rather placed on the sidewalk. Once filled
with soil and water, the planters will be several hundred pounds in weight; but still
allowing for repositioning if needed, by reducing the weight prior to relocation. The
specific locations for proposed planters will be reviewed with staff prior to any loading of
soil and water into the vessels. Similar to the responsibility with bike racks, Ardmore
Initiative would be responsible for installation and future maintenance, including planting
and watering.
V.
Impact on Township Finances:
Ardmore Initiative had been awarded a PA Department of Community and Economic
Development (DCED) grant that would fund their portion of the streetscape amenities.
The grant funds must be expended by June 30, 2016. AI has requested approximately
$6,000 from the Township to match the DCED funding that they received through this
Grant. The Township does have these funds available through a budgeted matching
economic development fund in the Building and Planning Department, which can be
disbursed to match streetscape improvements partially funded by business organizations
within the various Township commercial areas.
VI.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff supports the installation of bike racks and planters, subject to a staff committee
approving the final location of each bike rack and planter. If this proposal is approved by
the Board of Commissioners, staff will continue to work with Ardmore Initiative to
coordinate and implement these proposed streetscape amenities, while maintaining a safe
environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and motor vehicles along Ardmore’s sidewalks.
Exhibit B
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PROPOSED BIKE RACK TYPES AND LOCATIONS
Location
Closest Business
Style
16 Ardmore Ave
30 Ardmore Ave
108 Ardmore Ave
11 Cricket Ave
35 Cricket Terrace
47 W Lancaster Ave
7 E Lancaster on Station side
23 E Lancaster Ave
12 E Lancaster Ave
12-16 E Lancaster
44 E Lancaster Ave
56 E Lancaster Ave
64 Rittenhouse Place
Tired Hands Brewing Café
Post Office
Ardmore Library
Nudy's Café-alleyway
Tired Hands Fermentaria
Human Zoom
Primavera Pizza Kitchen
Ardmore Music Hall
Bella Italia Pizzeria
Schauffele Plaza
Santander Bank
AI
Barbacoa
Custom Design
Campus Rack S3
Book
fork? Coffee cup? Martini?
Custom Design
Mad Biker
Campus Rack S5
Music Note
Pizza Slice
Campus Rack S3
Dollar Sign
Logo
Fork
50 W Lancaster Ave
55 W Lancaster Ave
47 W Lancaster Ave
27 W Lancaster Ave
19 W Lancaster Ave
22 W Lancaster Ave
17 W Lancaster Ave
3 W Lancaster Ave
2 W Lancaster Ave
12 W Lancaster Ave
5 E Lancaster Ave
7 E Lancaster Ave
2 E Lancaster Ave
9 E Lancaster Ave
12 E Lancaster Ave
34 E Lancaster Ave
49 E Lancaster Ave
44 E Lancaster Ave
PROPOSED PLANTER LOCATIONS & QUANTITIES
Proposed Number of Planters Dimensions
Closest Business
Proposed Color
at Location
WxH in Inches
Bryn Mawr Trust
3
Salon 55
1
Human Zoom/Local
3-4
Junior League
1
First Position Dance Arts
1
Taste of Olive
1
Merion Art & Repro
1
Kidz Shooz
1
Main Line Acupuncture
1
Pageboy Hair
1
Maido
2
Primavera Pizza Kitchen
1
Vacant (formerly Melodies)
2
Radio Shack
1
Bella Italia Pizzeria
1
"Urban Rectangle"
Dimensions: 40" L x 22" W x 24" H
McShea's
4
Color: Terra Cotta
(formerly Suburban Office)
1
www.earthplanter.com
Santander Bank
2
All Planters Same Color -
Location
Dimensions
Proposed Color
WxH in Inches
48 X 48
Steel
64 x 34
Red
Sky Blue
35x34
TBD
TBD
48 X 48
Steel
55x 46
Sky Blue
114 x 34
Red
40 x 39
Black
34 x 34
Red
64 x 34
Red
25 x 38
Green
TBD
Red
14 x 44
Yellow/Orange
All Planters Same Dimensions -
Design/Map
Number
B1
B2
B3
B4
B1
B6
B7
B8
B9
B2
B10
B11
B12
Exhibit B
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BIKE RACK
DESIGNS
Exhibit B
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Exhibit B
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