North Ardmore residents have faithfully been attending meetings regarding the ongoing issue of Exxon and the car wash at Woodside and Montgomery. On this website it has been discussed HERE most recently - you can utilize the handy search feature to bring up other posts.

Here is an update from a North Ardmore resident on this DUMB plan:

June 5 Zoning Board Hearing Highlights

1. Neighbors Attendance & Involvement
Again, a large number of very loyal residents of Ardmore and Haverford made a very positive impression on the ZHB. In addition, Jack Kerr’s presence and presentation, as a representative of the Wynnewood Civic Association, gave positive evidence that our concerns and objections were shared widely by Lower Merion residents.

2. Hearing Testimony
(1) Exxon’s expert witness testimony and questions and challenges by the board and Mark Clemm focused on:
- noise and air quality levels which in several instances exceeded LM limits and would clearly impact on nearby residences
- traffic flow and safety issues and concerns (which the board clearly has)
- the sole reason for expanding into two new businesses was the “reported” (no evidence presented) of the declining profitability of the station. (Under PA case law that is not a basis for expanding into a new business in a non-conforming use situation)

(2) Several residents presented their objections in testimony based on their personal experiences in confronting the safety, health and welfare issues which the current Montgomery Ave./Woodside Rd. intersection and the Exxon Station presents. They vividly described the devastating impact that Exxon’s convenience store/car wash expansion would have on this already overburdened intersection and station operation. Also, presented as evidence were (1) pictures of the heavy traffic, the proximity to nearby residences, and (2) the unsafe conditions (winter ice) at Exxon’s prototype gas station-car wash in Bethlehem.

2. Hearing Conclusion
Marc Clemm gave the board our legal brief summarizing our legal objections based on PA case law. The essence of these decisions is that it is not permissible for an applicant to expand into new businesses in a non-conforming use situation (which Exxon is requesting).
Also, our petition with 54 signatures was presented to the board.

3. Zoning Hearing Board Decision
The board’s decision will be given at the ZHB hearing on July 24. All are invited to attend and hear, what we strongly believe, will be a rejection of Exxon’s expansion request.