Lansdale council committees approve quick curb and turn controls from traffic study

Lansdale Borough Council’s public safety committee on June 4 approved an initial package of traffic-calming moves from the borough’s traffic study, including painted curb setback zones at five intersections and a recommendation to restrict right turns from North Wales Road at Sycamore and Lombardi on weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The committee said the curb-painting covers five intersections identified as high‑concern: Columbia and South Richardson; Columbia and South Talmadson; Durstein at South Richardson; Perkiomen at South Talmadson; and East Third at North Chestnut. Vice President Curritio said the curb markings are “little hanging fruit” that the borough can implement quickly to improve visibility and safety.

Why it matters: Committee members said these are early, low‑cost steps from a longer traffic plan intended to reduce crash risk and neighborhood cut-through traffic. The Sycamore‑Lombardi restriction is aimed at drivers using neighborhood streets to bypass congestion on North Wales Road during afternoon peak hours.

Committee chair remarks and rollout: Vice President Curritio said the recommendations will be sent to full council and that the borough will pair signage and a public-notice campaign with the roll‑out. He said the borough will use a 30‑day warning period after new signs are posted before issuing citations and will place a portable flashing sign on North Wales Road to alert drivers in advance.

Enforcement and parking impacts: Council members discussed enforcement capacity and potential lost on‑street curb spaces. Curritio said existing state vehicle code rules already prohibit parking in the 20–30 foot stopping zones at intersections; the markings will clarify those limits. He acknowledged the changes may restrict parking directly in front of some houses and encouraged use of alleys, driveways and nearby side streets as alternatives.

Public-safety context: The committee also approved reinstating a handicap space at 150 Oakland Avenue for the Executive House Apartments and noted the department’s ongoing coordination with co-responder teams to address encampments compassionately. Police will provide notifications and outreach before enforcement in parks.

Outlook: The public-safety chair said larger items from the traffic study (realigning curves, speed cushions) will require separate public works planning and budgeting and will come forward as individual projects for further review.