Residents press board over proposed Fort Washington transportation facility; solicitor reports pending litigation

Several Upper Dublin residents used the meeting's public-comment period to urge the board to drop plans to pursue a transportation center at the Fort Washington site and to respond to community submissions the residents said went unacknowledged.

Janice Sandberg, identifying her address and her interest in the transportation issue, told the board she had reviewed a zoning hearing board record and questioned continuing the district's appeal. "I hope you don't continue this appeal because there will be another large response," she said, and urged the board to "take it back gracefully" and "look somewhere else."

Roland Lin told the board he had provided letters and attachments, that he received no acknowledgement, and that he was denied the opportunity to distribute materials at an earlier meeting; he asked the board to supply the policy that prevented handing out materials. He closed his remarks with, "Enough is enough," and said he would resend materials.

Gina Vitella Ambler said she had been active on the issue since 2018 and echoed concern that the zoning hearing board—indings and community opposition had not been fully addressed in public discussions of next steps. Bruce Bridal, a longtime resident, said he is an avid walker and described traffic and pedestrian-safety concerns near Highland and the access road if the depot proceeds.

The board and administration responded with procedural clarifications. Mr. Wallach noted that the board has operating guidelines that govern distribution of materials at meetings but that community members may email documents to trustees; he said the board reads and reviews emailed materials. Ms. Evans said, in response to an audience comment, that the board had previously responded to at least one of the emails in question.

Solicitor Mr. D'Azzio reported that the board "met in executive session tonight, prior to the public meeting. Topics for the executive session were the personnel report that the board approved a few moments ago, and the board also had a discussion regarding pending litigation involving the transportation facility," he said.

Why it matters

The proposed transportation facility at Fort Washington has drawn substantial community comment and, according to the solicitor, is the subject of pending litigation. Public safety, traffic, air-quality and zoning concerns raised by residents could affect the board's options, costs and timetable for a transportation-related project.

What the board said

Mr. Wallach explained the board's operating-guidelines policy that limits distribution of materials at the meeting and directed residents to use email as the standard channel to deliver documents to trustees. He also said that committee-level discussions have addressed next steps and that the administration received direction to proceed on certain follow-up items at a recent finance committee meeting; he did not enumerate specifics on the record.

Next steps

The solicitor's statement that litigation is pending indicates a legal process outside of the board's public meeting. The board said it will continue communications through committee meetings, the district website and emailed updates. Residents who spoke said they would continue to press the district to abandon the Fort Washington site and seek alternatives.