June 29, 2011 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Zoning board approves signage for gas station

The Sunoco gas station at
routes 1 and 202 may be coming back to life. The property was purchased in
February and the Chadds Ford Zoning Hearing Board approved sign variances
during a June 23 hearing.

Approved by a 2-1 vote were
variances for eight signs, down one from the nine sought. The board also
approved use of the convenience store that stands on the site, but with no
expansion.

The board made no decision on
how the service bays would be used. New owner Maurice LoPiccolo said he would
use them for storage at first, but is looking to have someone—perhaps former
station owner Jack Heilman—do service work there.

LoPiccolo, who owns 16 other
Sunoco stations in the Philadelphia area, said he wasn’t sure when the station
would open.

The initial request was for
nine signs covering 292 square feet at six locations on the property. That’s an
increase of 4.8 percent beyond the previous 279 square feet of signage. Both
situations are nonconforming, which is why zoning approval was needed.

Architect Bob Linn testified
that the signs are “an integral part of any business” because they attract
customers and give proper advance notice so motorists can enter safely.

During the 90-minute
hearing—with the board going off record three times—zoning board Chairman Bob
Reardon commented on the request saying it was “unusual for an applicant to
come in with a request for nonconforming signage and not leave with something
smaller.”

“This feels like a defeat,”
Reardon said.

The board managed to turn that
around.

After questioning by member
Paul Koch, one of the signs planned for a light pole along the west side of the
property was removed from the application. This reduced the square footage by
18.75, bringing the total to less than what had previously been approved.

In addition to testimony and
dialogue dealing with signage, the convenient store and service bays, there was
also a brief discussion on the property again being used as a gas station.

Attorney Mike Lyons,
representing the applicant, forestalled any attempt to deny gas station use due
to abandonment. The station ceased operations in March of last year, but Lyons
said his client bought the site this year in February with every intention of
reopening as a gas station.

The site was “never abandoned,”
he said. “The tanks are still there… It’s an existing nonconforming use.”

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.

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Bark Park opens in Pennsbury

Local News

There wasn’t much barking, just
a lot of running around and panting when the Pennsbury Bark Park opened on June
25. Close to two-dozen large dogs and a handful of smaller dogs played and
socialized in areas fenced off for them in the far eastern side of the township
park.

Township resident Kendal
Reynolds spearheaded the effort to get the park up and running.

“It’s a great way to socialize
and get dogs healthy and active,” Reynolds said. “We all live in our own
homes…It’s nice to have a common place in the park where neighbors can have
their dogs interact, develop social skills and get used to other dogs.”

She said that socialization is
necessary because dogs are social animals.

“It makes for healthier dogs,”
she said. “They’re not meant to be isolated. When they’re in their pack
they enjoy each other. They talk to each other, they correct each other.”

Agreeing with Reynolds on the
need for socialization of dogs is Stephanie Rossini, owner of GiggyBites in
Olde Ridge Village in Chadds Ford.

“It’s really important for dogs
to be socialized with other people and with other dogs,” Rossini said. “It’s
healthy. Just the interaction with other dogs is important for their balance.
As much as we do for them, they need to be around their own kind.”

There are two sections of the
Bark Park in adjacent fenced areas. One is for larger dogs and another for the
smaller ones. Aggressive dogs and puppies younger than six months are not
allowed. Dogs in heat are also prohibited. All dogs must be licensed.

Dogs must be kept on their
leashes to and from the area, but those leashes come off once the dogs and
their owners are inside the enclosures. Owners must clean up after their dogs
and monitor their behavior.

The park is open from dawn to
dusk, but Reynolds said there are also informal meet-up times. Groups using any
of the social media can arrange get-togethers. Also, there are two set meet-ups
scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. on Sundays.

Dog owners from townships other
than Pennsbury may use the park.

Ed Rahme, from East
Marlborough, was on hand with his dog Darwin, a mixed-breed that’s part Thai
ridgeback and, possibly, Chihuahua. He said the park in Pennsbury is convenient
because he had been taking Darwin to a park in West Chester.

“I want him to meet folks closer
to home,” said Rahme.

He said the park seemed well
maintained.

“I know it’s brand new, but
it’s more about the dogs and the interaction of the dogs…What’s necessary is
for people to respect the park in order to make it more than just a fenced in
area for dogs to run around.”

During opening day, Reynolds
acknowledged several different people who had a hand in helping the park get
started. She singled out Boy Scout Drew Smallacombe, from Troop 31 and Erik Del
Angel of Del Angel’s Landscaping.

Del Angel donated trees while
Smallacombe installed the interior fencing, made benches and planted the trees
as part of his Eagle Scout project.

The township helped with part
of the funding. There had already been a plan for perimeter fencing of the
township park, so supervisors agreed to pay for the bark park perimeter fence.

Reynolds said additional money
came from private donations, but Smallacombe’s project was most significant.

About Rich Schwartzman

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Adopt-a-Pet June 30

Local News

Hagrid is an adult neutered male Lab that is currently
available for adoption at the Chester County SPCA. He came to the shelter as a
stray on June 16. Hagrid is a sweet, laid back and loveable guy. While he has
been in our care we noticed he is housebroken and does know some basic
behaviors. Hagrid would make a
great dog for a first time pet owner. We are estimating his age to be between
two and four years old. Hagrid is
now looking for a responsible care giver who will give him the love and
attention he deserves. If you are able to provide Hagrid a home, visit the
Chester County SPCA at 1212 Phoenixville Pike in West Goshen or call
610-692-6113. Hagrid’s registration number is 96804310. To meet some of the
other animals available for adoption, visit the shelter or log onto www.ccspca.org.
Not sure if you are ready for the commitment of owning a pet? Why not think
about fostering. The Chester County SPCA is always in need of foster families,
for more information visit our website at http://www.ccspca.org/volunteer/foster-a-pet1
or call 610-692-6113.

About CFLive Staff

See Contributors Page https://chaddsfordlive.com/writers/

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Bits & Pieces June 30

Along the Ford

• The date of the July Concord Board
of Supervisors meeting has been changed to Tuesday, July 12, at 7 p.m.

• The Brandywine River Museum
honors the life and legacy of Andrew Wyeth on what would have been his 94th
birthday by offering free admission to all visitors Tuesday, July 12 from 9:30
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The restaurant will sell hot dog lunches, featuring hot dogs
from Jimmy John’s. Birthday cake will be served from 11:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

• The Chaddsford Winery is celebrating
Independence Day with its annual Fourth of July Big Bang Barbecue. The Big Bang
Barbecue will feature three days of music, grillin’ and chillin’ at the winery
from noon until 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 2, Sunday, July 3, and Monday, July
4. Live music will be performed daily beginning at 2 p.m., and guests are
encouraged to bring a picnic or purchase barbecue favorites from local outfit,
Nick’s Chicks who will be on site.

• The Hagley Creek Kids invite
families to learn about the Civil War through creative play. “Gunpowder and the
Civil War at Hagley” will examine the role DuPont Company and its employees
played in producing almost half of the gunpowder used by the Union Army. Think
ramped-up production, espionage scares, and Delaware Militia. Join the Creek
Kids at Hagley Museum on Tuesday, July 12, and Sunday, July 17, from 1 to 4
p.m., and enjoy an afternoon of family fun. Activities are included in cost of
admission.

• A recertification course for
food service managers will be offered by Penn State Extension July 14, 2011,
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Chester County Government Services Center, 601 Westtown
Road, Suite 370. To register, call 610-696-3500. The registration deadline is
July 7. The cost of the program is $99.00.

About CFLive Staff

See Contributors Page https://chaddsfordlive.com/writers/

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Barrar calls voter ID bill necessary

Local News

Citing cases of rampant voter
fraud in Philadelphia, Rep. Stephen E. Barrar, R-160, of Boothwyn, released the
following statement regarding House passage of legislation that would require
the presentation of photo identification before voting:

“This is one of the most
important pieces of legislation we can pass to protect the integrity of our
elections. If enacted, Pennsylvania would join a dozen other states that
require voters to present photo identification at the polls. Considering
the many activities for which a person must show identification, I do not
believe it is unreasonable to request voters to do the same.”

To view Barrar’s video comments
about the legislation, visit SteveBarrar.com
or YouTube.com/RepBarrar.

“Opponents of the bill are
arguing that this measure will disenfranchise voters, but I believe it
disenfranchises voters when people vote illegally or under false
pretenses. The electoral system in Philadelphia is teeming with cases of
voter fraud, falsified voter registrations and other schemes that serve to
steal elections. Citizens deserve elections based on honesty, integrity
and fairness. This legislation will protect the ideal of one person, one
vote.

“Eliminating voter fraud has
been one of my top priorities since I came to the House. Our democracy
was built on the principle of citizens fairly electing government
officials. Anything that taints that principle dishonors our
democracy. Voting is one of our primary duties as citizens of this great
republic, and protecting the integrity of elections should be a chief concern
for all elected officials. I am hopeful this bill will be considered by
the Senate and signed by the governor in the near future.”

About Press Release

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A truth in jest

Opinion

Chadds Ford Zoning Hearing
Board Chairman Bob Reardon made a telling comment during a hearing on signage
for the Sunoco gas station at routes 1 and 202.

The new owner of the property
applied for a variance regarding the total square footage of signs for the
site. It’s a matter of an existing nonconformity to code going to another
nonconformity, with the new application for 4.8 percent more square feet of
signs than had previously been approved.

Mr. Reardon’s comment was that
it’s “unusual for an applicant to come in with a request for nonconforming
signage and not leave with something smaller. This feels like a defeat.”

While the comment was likely
made tongue-in-cheek, many a truth has been spoken in jest. The undeniable
truth is that there is an aversion to signage in the township and many people
think this reflects an anti-business attitude.

The aversion to signs is no
secret. Zoning Board members as well as Planning Commission members have long
made reference to it—even joking about who’s behind it—albeit in hushed tones.
The facts are undeniable.

The current Board of
Supervisors in Chadds Ford doesn’t want the Hannum’s Harley Davidson Motorcycle
dealership to park trucks and trailers with the company name in front of the
shop because they deem that to be signage in excess of what the code allows.

Hannum’s also needs to get
permission to put up a tent for a sale and all businesses need to know that
they shouldn’t even attempt to use balloons and streamers for a special event.
That’s a major no-no.

It’s no secret that Supervisor George Thorpe is always on the
lookout for unapproved signs on poles as he drives through the township. One
Easter Sunday he was driving around with a stepladder in the back of his car
and he was climbing up and down removing the offensive ads. It was an
interesting way to spend an Easter morning.

It would be understandable if
the township’s boards and commissions would deny the use of flashing neon
signs, but no one is asking for that.

To be fair, though, the board
has shown some signs of relenting. When the economy turned upside down,
township supervisors finally lightened up a little. Since 2009, some businesses
may have a small, A-frame sign in front of their stores during business hours
as long as the signs meet certain size specifications, are taken in at night
and the owner pays a fee of $125.

There is also an updated
ordinance that allows—or perhaps controls— billboards and dynamic signs. It has
yet to be seen how that will play out.

There are people in Chadds Ford
who truly don’t care about businesses. One person even said in an
off-the-record comment that she didn’t care if they all went under.

Such attitudes make for a
contentious relationship and an unhealthy economic climate. It leads to a
zoning board chairman saying that allowing a business to put up the signs it
wants is a defeat. That reflects an inappropriate us or them attitude.

About CFLive Staff

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Police log June 30

Police

• An Aston man was charged with DUI after fleeing the scene
of one-car accident just after midnight on June 26. Pennsylvania State Police
from Troop K, Media, said Robert Rainer, 31, was taken into custody following
an accident in which he struck a tree on Spring Valley Road at Brinton Lake
Road in Concord Township. No injuries were reported.

• Police are looking for two white men in connection with
the theft of a generator from a property on Stoney Bank Road in Concord
Township. A police report said the incident happened at 3:20 p.m. on June 23.
The report said the men lifted the generator into the back of a red pickup
truck, then fled traveling north on Stoney Bank Road.

• State police are investigating the theft of four wheels
from a Red Nissan 300 ZX sometime between 10:30 a.m. June 18 and 6 a.m. June
20. The theft occurred in the parking lot of Chadds Ford Collision. The wheels
are valued at $600, the report said.

• Police have charged two Philadelphia residents with retail
theft. A report alleges that Kanire Niambi Darden, 32, and Reginald Jerome
Poplar, 30, stole $111 worth of merchandise from the Justice Shops in the
Brinton Lake shopping center on June 21.

• A 26-year-old man from Concord Township was the victim of
a burglary on June 25. State police said someone gained access to the property
about 3 p.m. by removing the screen from a rear window. The suspect, or
suspects, removed several items, and then fled through a sliding glass door.

About CFLive Staff

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