Information

Welcome to the Save Ardmore Coalition!

dmuth — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 14:39:21 -0700

Welcome to the website of the Save Ardmore Coalition! The Save Ardmore Coalition is a grassroots organization dedicated to the revitalization of Ardmore, Pennsylvania's business district based on community input, consensus building, sound and comprehensive planning and the preservation of our architectural heritage. Accordingly, we support the creation of a comprehensive plan for Lower Merion Township and a full town plan for Ardmore.

Other sites we like, or at least think are interesting

dmuth — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 09:08:07 -0700

Southeast Pennsylvania First Suburbs Project

The SEPA First Suburbs Project is a group of institutions and civic groups that focus on facing common problems in the suburbs of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Countries.

The South Ardmore Betterment Alliance

A Neighborhood Civic Association operating in Haverford Township, Delaware County. They even share some of their volunteers with us at SAC!

MainLineLife Online

Blogging guidelines

dmuth — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 11:18:48 -0700

As someone who has been blogging for a few years, and running a website for a few years longer, I figured I would put together a little document to serve as collection of "best practices" on how to effectively blog and communicate information over the Internet in a textual format.

Here are some of the guidelines I've come up with, in random order:

When adding new info, edit your post, don't leave comments.

Community

dmuth — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 19:57:24 -0700

Welcome to the Save Ardmore Coalition community! This is the part of the website where you can participate in on-line discussions with other people from Lower Merion Township, or even start a discussion of your own.

What's New?: View new postings and comments on forums and blogs.
Forums: Forums are the main discussion area of this website. Just about any topic related to Lower Merion is acceptable.
Blogs read more

Donate to The Save Ardmore Coalition

dmuth — Sun, 04 Jun 2006 16:55:28 -0700

The Save Ardmore Coalition gladly accepts donations. Your donation will help pay for our legal fees as well as offset the costs of running this website.

If you wish to donate with a check, it should be made to "Save Ardmore Coalition" and sent to the address below:

Save Ardmore Coalition
P.O. Box 453
Ardmore, PA 19003

If you wish to make a donation with a debit or credit card, please cick on the below image to donate via the PayPal service:

Ardmore featured on Castle Coalition website

dmuth — Tue, 07 Feb 2006 12:21:16 -0700

The Castle Coalition, the grassroots arm of the Institute for Justice, is featuring the targeted businesses of Ardmore as the "Blighted Home (or Business) of the Week," on their website. This weekly website feature isdesigned to bring attention to bogus blight designations nationwide through photos.

Visit their site at: http://www.castlecoalition.org/CastleWatch/bogusblight/index.html

MUST Ordinance

dmuth — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 21:21:14 -0700

The most current draft of this Ordinance was issued on January 16th 2006 and is not, as of yet, up on the Township website. If you are interested in recieving a copy of the current MUST via email, please email and it will be forwarded on to you.

VERY IMPORTANT: MUST/BMMD Public Hearing

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 11:36:04 -0700

Start: 2006-01-11 19:10

End: 2006-01-11 21:00

Timezone: Etc/GMT-5

Body:
IF YOU WANT TO LEARN ABOUT MUST, EXERCISE AN OPINION ABOUT MUST, DON'T WANT MUST RAMMED DOWN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD'S THROAT, GO TO THIS MEETING! IF YOU DON'T ATTEND, AND YOU DON'T LIKE THE END RESULT OF MUST, YOU ONLY HAVE YOURSELVES TO BLAME. MUST IS NOT AN ADEQUATE SOLUTION AS CURRENTLY PRESENTED- PROTECT WHERE YOU LIVE - ATTEND THIS MEETING AND SPEAK UP!
Wednesday January 11 7:15 P.M. Building & Planning Committee - Continued Public Hearing on MUST and BMMD
REFER TO WWW.LOWERMERION.ORG

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING/Thursday, January 5, 2006 6 pm (approximate)

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 11:19:16 -0700

Start: 2006-01-05 18:00

End: 2006-01-05 20:00

Timezone: Etc/GMT-5

Body:
from http://www.lowermerion.org/ :
PLANNING COMMISSION
Thursday, January 5, 2006
6:00 p.m. (Approximately)
Co-Chairs: Kenneth Brier & Charles Davidson
Members: Robert Gray, Joan Hindin, Charles Howland, Teri Simon, Robert Schwartz
check the monthly activities on the township web site for specific agenda if interested - no clue if meeting is open to public or not - assume it is on channel 7

SAVE ARDMORE...SAVE YOURSELVES

dmuth — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 21:55:35 -0700

Stephen Markowitz of the Midlantic Business Alliance wrote a great opinion piece that explains why Eminent Domain is such a bad thing for businesses and property owners in general. It also stated MBA's intent to provide future assistance to the Save Ardmore Coalition.

You can read the article at http://www.saveardmorecoalition.org/node/250

SAVE ARDMORE...SAVE YOURSELVES

dmuth — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 21:41:08 -0700

Point of View
SAVE ARDMORE...SAVE YOURSELVES
By Stephen Markowitz

If you have a business and/or a home anywhere in the United States, then the small, prosperous, historic district of Ardmore in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania, better get on your radar fast. The local burghers and some short-sighted business owners and association execs in Lower Merion Township have decided that they know what’s best for Ardmore.

As described in The Economist (August 20, 2005), Lower Merion’s “...board of commissioners had decided that Ardmore’s central thoroughfare needed sprucing up. They had some federal funds to build a new railway station, and they decided it would be nice if more commuters could live nearby so they could walk to the station. But instead of offering to buy out the people whose businesses would have to be demolished, they simply told them they would have to move.

Board of Commissioners Meeting Wednesday December 21st

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 09:20:08 -0700

Start: 2005-12-21 20:00

End: 2005-12-21 22:00

Timezone: Etc/GMT-5

Body:
The regularly scheduled Monthly Board of Commissioners Meeting is Wednesday, December 21st, 2005 at 8:00 P.M. [end time merely and approximation - if you wish to speak during public privilege to the floor, get there a bit early to sign up]
Where?
Township Administration Building
75 East Lancaster Avenue
Ardmore, PA 19003-2376
No one has taken eminent domain off the table in spite of state and federal legislation that has been voted in, all the other pending legislation, and national sentiment. In state after state, local governments all over are dumping ill advised eminent domain projects...but here? Officially? Nothing concrete has been recounted to us.

MUST Meeting Tonight Wednesday December 14th, 2005

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 09:04:45 -0700

Start: 2005-12-14 18:30

End: 2005-12-14 20:30

Timezone: Etc/GMT-5

Body:
FYI: It is cold and we are all tired...but the second public hearing for MUST begins at the Township after the recognition of outgoing commissioners.
[6:30 PM - Please note end time is but a guestimate] www.lowermerion.org
Where?
Township Administration Building
75 East Lancaster Avenue
Ardmore, PA 19003-2376
We expect all the usual rah- rah types...we caution them against saying stupid things...even if we aren't there in person, it doesn't mean we're not watching and voicing our opinions in other ways....for more details, please visit the Township web site www.lowermerion.org and check out monthly activities

Midlantic Business Alliance's Letter to SAC

dmuth — Sat, 03 Dec 2005 17:00:44 -0700

Below is the full text of the letter that we received from the Midlantic Business Alliance:

December 2, 2005

Suburban Office Equipment
Business Owner
49 E. Lancaster Avenue
Ardmore, PA 19003

Re: Midlantic Business Alliance to Support Save Ardmore Coalition

Opposes Disruption of Businesses and Lives in Ardmore

Dear Business Owner,

I am writing to inform you that the Midlantic Business Alliance, a 4,000 member business organization located in Broomall is giving the full support to the Save Ardmore Coalition. As you already know, this dynamic grass-roots organization is taking on the issue of abuse of eminent domain as a mean of dirupting businesses and lives in Ardmore and all of Lower Merion Township.

read more

Candidates who have signed our pledge

dmuth — Mon, 07 Nov 2005 07:42:06 -0700

With the 2005 elections less than 24 hours away, we would like to again post the list of candidates who have signed our pledge not to use eminent domain:

Cary Bevan McClain - Ward 4
Philip Rosenzweig - Ward 6
Josh Quinter - Ward 8
Leigh Anne Smith - Ward 10
Scott Zelov - Ward 10
Brian Gordon - Ward 12
Jim Stevenson - Ward 12
Andrew Tanzer - Ward 14
Lance Rogers - Ward 14

Thanks for your continued support, and happy voting!

Poll Locations

dmuth — Thu, 03 Nov 2005 18:39:02 -0700

Below is a list of polling locations in Ward 4 and Ward 8 for the 2005 elections:

[table=tables-grid Ward|Location
4-1|First Baptist Church, St Paul's and Athens
4-2|St Mary's Episcopal Church, 36 Ardmore Ave
4-3|First Presb. Church of Ardmore, Millcreek Rd and Montgomery Ave
8-1|Torah Academy, Wynnewood and Argyle Rd.
8-2|S.S. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church, 630 Clothier Rd.
8-3|S.S. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church, 630 Clothier Rd.
8-4|Ardmore Methodist Church, Linwood and Argyle Rds.]

If you can spare an hour and wish to sign up, please go to Suburban Office Supply at 49 East Lancaster Ave. during business hours.

Jennifer Brown Survey Responses Part 2

dmuth — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 17:10:42 -0700

I also thank you for your letter dated August 20, 2005, enclosing for my consideration the "Hands Off My Property Pledge." After careful consideration, I have decided not to sign the pledge because I believe it is too broad and may result in the Township being unable to act in the community's best interests. I can assure you that with respect to any proposal to use eminent domain, I will use my best judgement and, in making my decision will use the following prinicples: Eminent domain should be exercised very carefully, under limited circumstances, after thoughtful deliberation and consultation with the community. The community must be effectively informed and must not only be given the opportunity to be head, but must also believe that it has been fairly and justly heard. As a general rule, eminent domain should not be used to take property away from one private person to give it to another private person.

Bryn Mawr Candidates Debate

dmuth — Fri, 14 Oct 2005 13:46:59 -0700

The League of Women Voters will be hosting a Meet the Candidates Forum with Scott Zelov and Leigh Anne Smith on Sunday evening, October 30, 2005 6:30 PM at the Bryn Mawr Community Center (directions). It is the white building next to the Ludington Library and shares the parking lot with the library.

The format will be:

Opening statements - 2 minutes each
3 or 5 pre-agreed upon questions - each with 2 minute answers
1/2 hour of questions submitted by the audience to the moderator

read more

Josh Quinter Survey Responses, Part 2

jslam108 — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 17:49:59 -0700

Josh Quinter, continued

approximately 7 businesses in Ardmore. It will also likely result in large scale construction which will not fit into the townscape. Finally, there are far too many unanswered questions regarding the plan. As one example, no satisfactory explanation has been provided as to how the project will be financed.

If elected I will immediately introduce legislation to place a moratorium on the current plan. I will also bring the Board of Commissioners, the community, and a panel of experts together to discuss and develop a positive plan to assist Ardmore in its recovery. As part of this effort, I will make my own proposals on how to revive Ardmore. Finally, I will work to build consensus through responsible leadership on this and all other issues in the township, including blocking the use of eminent domain and the destruction of historic buildings in Ardmore.

Josh Quinter Survey Responses

jslam108 — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 17:49:13 -0700

Josh Quinter, Ward 8 - Ardmore/Wynnewood

1. Do you agree or disagree with the finding of blight in Historic Ardmore? Please elaborate.

A. I strongly disagree with the finding that Historic Ardmore is blighted. My opposition to the blight designation is based on two factors. First, the blight designation is the first step in any plan to use eminent domain to seize private property owned by businesses in Ardmore and turn it over to private developers. If there was no intention to use eminent domain, a blight designation was not necessary so early in the process.

Second, Historic Ardmore is simply not blighted. The state statutes define blight generally as properties that are dilapidated, unsafe, unsanitary, and vacant. The purpose of the blight designation as stated in the statutes is to rehabilitate, through eminent domain, areas that regulatory processes and private investment could not resuscitate. This is far from the case in Ardmore. Ardmore is not dilapidated, unsafe, or unsanitary. While there are some vacant store fronts, the issues facing Ardmore can be addressed without the need for a blight designation or the use of eminent domain. Limited and responsible development, intelligent regulation, and tax incentives, among other things, can be used to make Ardmore stronger.

Jane Dellheim Survey Responses Part 3

jslam108 — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 17:48:01 -0700

It is a Plan that encompasses a wide range of possible ultimate outcomes. I am committed to a thorough review of all plans to revitalize Ardmore. The Township will be sending a Request for Proposal (RFP) that will solicit ideas from developers and others about ways to address the concerns that we all believe should be addressed in Ardmore--the lack of green space, an improved railroad station, the excessive congestion, and the need to enhance the economic vitality of the Lancaster Avenue corridor. I welcome a full review of the responses to the Township's Request for Proposal and an open and robust discussion of the alternative proposals, which I hope will eventually lead to a Redevelopment Proposal on which we all can agree.

Jane Dellheim Survey Responses Part 2

jslam108 — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 17:47:16 -0700

Commissioner Jane Dellheim, continued

2. In what circumstances and situations should eminent domain be exercised by Lower Merion Township?

A. Every state in the United States, including Pennsylvania, grants state and local governments certain rights to exercise the power of eminent domain. I believe that this power should be exercised very sparingly, only where the public interest is best served by the taking of private property and where other options will not protect the public interest equally well. While it is difficult to define what is in the "public interest," I believe that it includes those instances when it is necessary to protect public health or safety, when it is necessary for significant social or economic progress to occur, or when it is necessary to clear the path for significant public buildings and structures, including particularly transportation projects such as roads, railroad tracks, and waterways.

Jane Dellheim Survey Responses

jslam108 — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 17:46:46 -0700

Commissioner Jane Dellheim, Ward 8 - Ardmore/Wynnewood

1. Do you agree or disagree with the finding of blight in Historic Ardmore? Please elaborate.

A. The Lower Merion Township Planning Commission unanimously determined, based on its review of various facts and the law, that Historic Ardmore should properly be designated as blighted. I understand that "blight" is a technical, legal term. An area may be "blighted" if any one or more of the following is true:
1. It has unsafe, unsanitary, inadequate or overcrowded conditions;
2. It is inadequately planned;

Brian Gordon Survey Responses

jslam108 — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 17:43:36 -0700

Brian Gordon, Ward 12 - Merion

1. Do you agree or disagree with the finding of blight in Historic Ardmore? Please elaborate.

A. There is nothing blighted about Historic Ardmore. This description was applied to valuable real estate due to a perceived need to qualify properties as blighted in order to exercise the powers of eminent domain or to secure Federal funding.

2. In what circumstances and situations should eminent domain be exercised by Lower Merion Township?

A. As I read the Constitution, eminent domain should be reserved for takings where private property is needed for a public use, such as a school, road, bridge or playground. Despite the recent decision of the Supreme Court broadening this power, I can think of a narrow band of exceptions where a taking for future private development may be appropriate. These include a situation where an abandoned and blighted property was part of a neglected and un-administered estate. In any instance where the use of the power is proposed, it should be used as a last resort. Presently, I do not see a need to use eminent domain in Lower Merion Township.

Jim Stevenson Survey Responses

jslam108 — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 17:42:47 -0700

Jim Stevenson, Ward 12 - Merion

1. Do you agree or disagree with the finding of blight in Historic Ardmore? Please elaborate.

A. I do not agree with the finding of blight in the area defined as Historic Ardmore. Regardless of the legal definition that made it possible for such a finding to be made, "blight" is not a term that should be applied to a functioning business district that has substantial community support, an active business district authority and business association, and several million dollars of public-private investment. There are properties in Ardmore that can be significantly enhanced by repair, updating and maintenance, as there are in any mature community.

Lance Rogers Survey Responses

jslam108 — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 17:41:24 -0700

Lance Rogers, Ward 14 - Penn Wynne

1. Do you agree or disagree with the finding of blight in Historic Ardmore? Please elaborate.

A. I disagree with the finding of blight in Historic Ardmore. Webter's Dictionary defines blight as: "Something that frustrates plans or hopes." This is certainly not an appropriate designation for Ardmore. One cannot help but wonder whether the finding of blight was merely a means to an end. In my opinion, it is the use of eminent domain, as proposed in Ardmore Redevelopment Plan B, which would "frustrate plans and hopes." This is the case as the use of eminent domain (as proposed) would suggest that Lower Merion Township is unwilling to support its businesses and land owners.

Leigh Anne Smith Survey Responses, Part 2

jslam108 — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 17:39:02 -0700

Leigh Anne Smith, continued

revitalization program that relies on public/private incentives to support Ardmore business and property owners as a means of reviving the district without the use of eminent domain. I support the recommendations of the Urban Land Institute (which were requested by our Township Commissioners and funded by our tax dollars), and in particular its endorsement of a plan that would enhance, while preserving, the character of a town they recognized already has an enviable, rich mix of historic and other buildings, well-suited to a conservative revitalization program. With close community involvement, we can develop and articulate a strong, forward looking vision for Ardmore that relies on renovation and re-use, that taps into the talent and initiative of our citizens, that is implemented over time, and includes in the more imediate future, a new train station and parking facilities. Such a plan will enable Ardmore to reach its full potential while avoiding what the ULI saw as an over-extension of the Township's project management resources and will conserve Township financial resources.

Leigh Anne Smith Survey Responses

jslam108 — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 17:38:32 -0700

Leigh Anne Smith, Ward 10 - Bryn Mawr/Haverford

1. Do you agree or disagree with the finding of blight in Historic Ardmore? Please elaborate.

A. I do not agree with the finding, nor do I observe any condition in Ardmore that justifies such a designation. The decisions by the Lower Merion Township Board of Commissioners and the Montgomery County Planning Commissioners to declare Historic Ardmore blighted were based on an antiquated sixty-year-old law that was not intended to be applied to communities like Ardmore. While some of the buildings in Historic Ardmore are old, they are not in a condition of deterioration and decay that justify a blight designation. I am also concerned about the precedent this interpretation of blight sets for the remainder of the Township, and believe that such a designation must be based on an appropriate, widely-accepted and commonsense definition of "blight."

Scott Zelov Survey Responses

jslam108 — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 17:36:08 -0700

Scott Zelov, Ward 10 - Bryn Mawr/Haverford

1. Do you agree or disagree with the finding of blight in Historic Ardmore? Please elaborate.

A. Believe it or not, it is so easy to declare blight in Pennsylvania that part of the rolling hills of Erdenheim Farm in Whitemarsh were recently designated as blighted. The purpose was to use Tax Increment Financing to develop a small part of that property.

Ardmore easily qualifies for what is legally known as a Redevelopment Area under the PA Urban Redevelopment Law of 1945. And, it makes sense to determine that Ardmore is a Redevelopment Area since only then can a Redevelopment Area Plan be proposed and implemented. Two plans for Ardmore were proposed: Plan A; and Plan B, which included the use of eminent domain. Unfortunately, Plan B was selected, which I oppose. However, Plan A could have been, and still can be, selected as the Ardmore Redevelopment Plan. Even if Plan A, or a modified Plan A, is implemented, Ardmore would still need the Redevelopment Area designation. Another way of saying this is that Ardmore would still have to be found blighted in order for a Redevelopment Area Plan to be proposed and implemented. So, I agree with the finding--it is the only way to move forward on a Redevelopment Plan for Ardmore.

Maryam Phillips Survey Responses

jslam108 — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 17:34:09 -0700

Commissioner Maryam Phillips, Ward 4 - Ardmore/Haverford

1. Do you agree or disagree with the finding of blight in Historic Ardmore? Please elaborate.

A. See below.

2. In what circumstances and situations should eminent domain be exercised by Lower Merion Township?

A. See below.

3. What is your position on the proposed Ardmore Redevelopment Plan and what will you do regarding its implementation if elected?

A. During the month of October I will issue a ward-wide mailing to address the Ardmore Redevelopment Plan and other issues of interest to residents of Ward 4.