Board votes its approval of trails as a concept
Following a protracted and contentious discussion Wednesday, the Springfield Township Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution affirming the importance of multipurpose trails to the vitality of the community and to the enhancement of the quality of life of its residents.
The motion, brought by Commissioner Alison Peirce, passed 4-2, with Commissioners Glenn Schaum and James Dailey opposing and Connissioner Robert Gullies voting "present."
Dailey prefaced his vote by describing the objections of some of his constituents to the route of the proposed Cresheim Valley Trail through Flourtown Gardens. Schaum and Gillies said they would not vote to support the resolution because it was hypothetical in nature and redundant, considering the board's past unanimous approval of specific trails in the township and general affirmation of trails in the Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan.
"Our position on trails is going to change depending on the trail that's before us," Gillies said. "I'm not voting on a hypothetical issue. This is a political ploy in a political season."
"I think a policy saying we are for trails is important," Commissioner Baird Standish said. Standish added that while the resolution "may be somewhat unnecessary," it provided an opportunity for a general discussion about trails, whereas past debate had focused on specific trails individually.
"I don't think voting for this policy hurts anything," he said.
"To me, this ordinance is not to cram down a line on a map," board President Jeff Harbison said. "It's not moving us closer to having a trail go by your house. To me, it changes the discussion from whether we should have trails to where we should have trails."
More than a dozen residents spoke during the meeting, and while some expressed frustration with the proposed route of the Cresheim Valley Trail, and others agreed that trails had been adequately addressed by previous board actions, the majority seemed in favor of the policy.
"I want to say this makes me very proud to say I'm a resident of Springfield Township," Mike Jancola of Erdenheim said. "Enhancing the trail system will be great for the community."
Alistair Howard, of Wyndmoor, said he bicycles from Springfield to Temple University in Philadelphia every day for work and that improved trails would make his route less dangerous and his home more valuable.
"I think this is a no-brainer," he said. "Trails will raise property values because in 10 years less people are going to be driving to work."
"The issue you're going to have is the rights of the individual property owners [compared] to the benefits of the whole town," George Benz, of Wyndmoor, said. "You're going to have to wrestle with that, but I'm here to argue for the greater good. The use of trails is [supported] by 70 to 80 percent of local people."