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Resident raises safety concerns after stormwater bump-outs removed parking; police say enforcement review found no violations
Summary
A resident on the 300 block of Dudley Avenue told the committee stormwater bump-outs removed on-street parking and created sight-line issues for three driveways; Police Chief John Strange said 28 observations over two weeks found no ordinance violations and staff warned that painting or striping without codified signage would create unenforceable expectations.
A resident complaint about driveway sight-lines on the 300 block of Dudley Avenue prompted an extended discussion at the June 12 Narberth Public Health and Safety Committee meeting. The resident said newly installed stormwater bump-outs removed several on-street parking spaces and made it difficult to see approaching traffic when exiting three nearby driveways.
Police Chief John Strange said the department reviewed parking at random times over two weeks and conducted 28 observations. "Across that whole time period, there were no violations," he reported, adding that while vehicles sometimes parked close to driveways, they did not meet the ordinance threshold for an enforceable violation. Staff also noted the affected driveways have narrow aprons that provide less clearance than newer driveways.
Committee members discussed several possible responses. Staff cautioned that striping or painting an "X" further away from a driveway sets an enforceable expectation only if paired with codified signage and an ordinance defining the restriction; otherwise, it would be difficult to enforce and could create community frustration. Chief Strange suggested widening a driveway apron by permit as a homeowner option, which would improve turning clearance but would be a private expense.
Cindy Records, the committee's vice chair, urged the committee to defer to professional staff assessments rather than make ad hoc promises to residents: "I am deferring to you, John, as the expert," she said. Committee members also expressed concern about setting precedent if the borough painted specific blocks and thereby appeared to favor some residents.
The committee did not direct immediate regulatory changes. Members asked staff to continue to monitor impacts, to consider engineering review when warranted (a separate sight-line issue at the Wayne/State Line intersection was discussed for an engineer assessment), and to report back. Staff estimated an engineering review could range from a few hundred dollars up to roughly $2,000 depending on scope; one remark referenced a higher, more general industry figure of about $5,600 as context but speakers did not commit to a specific cost.
Why it matters: The bump-outs are part of a stormwater pollution-reduction program required by state mandates, and the committee must balance environmental infrastructure upgrades against parking supply and street safety. The discussion highlights tradeoffs that arise when public infrastructure affects residential parking and sight-lines.
Next steps: Staff will continue to evaluate the Dudley Avenue locations, may pursue targeted engineering review for distinct sight-line problems, and will return with recommended next steps if further action is needed. No formal ordinance change was adopted at the meeting.
