Residents press board to close or restrict library driveway; staff urge traffic study and enforcement options

Several residents used the public‑comment period to press the Board of Commissioners to close or restrict the back driveway at the Upper Dublin Public Library and to consider traffic‑calming measures on Highland Avenue.

A resident urged the board to "close it and remove it because it's nothing but a nightmare and a dumpster fire," saying the driveway generates a high volume of cut‑through traffic and parking by non‑patrons. Other speakers asked the board to reduce the speed limit on Highland Avenue, citing safety for driveway access, driveway egress and pedestrians.

Board members and staff responded that the driveway’s closure had been considered by prior boards and that closing it would have operational and policy implications. Staff and commissioners urged a traffic‑engineering review, pointed to PennDOT warrant processes for speed limits, and said the township has placed LED speed signs and will continue to evaluate traffic‑calming options.

The manager said some enforcement options are limited where the area is privately owned, and the solicitor was asked to review relevant ordinances cited by residents. The board did not vote to close the driveway at the meeting but agreed to collect more information — traffic data, ordinance review and possible engineering solutions — before taking further action.

Residents asked the library to survey how patrons access the building; staff said traffic‑origin studies are possible but may require more labor and time to produce conclusive origin/destination data. The board encouraged continued resident engagement and said staff would report back with findings.