The Union Township Board of Supervisors unanimously approved on Feb. 16 an ordinance amendment which allows permitted gun owners to carry a firearm at the Union Township Recreation Area, Route 724.
Township Solicitor Frederick K. Hatt said the state legislature approved Statute 2014-192 last fall.
It requires the township to amend its ordinance and change the park’s rules sign to reflect the expanded right to carry firearms.
The ordinance was also amended to reflect Statute 2014-135, which allows municipalities to use the developer paid recreation fees to maintain the municipality’s parks.
Hatt said recreation fees paid to the township — in lieu of developing a recreation area at a new development site – were previously only allowed for land acquisition and improvements.
Board Chairman Donald E. Basile said two private property trees are currently impeding the township from developing a left-turn lane at Route 724 and River Bridge Road.
The left turn lane would improve the intersection’s safety and alleviate traffic congestion after the Liberty Bell Motorsports Park opens in the spring of 2017.
“PennDOT said that two trees have to go,” said Basile, “but, the [land owner] said ‘no.’ The left turn lane at River Bridge Road won’t work if the trees have to go.”
He said the property owner said the trees provide “screening” in front of her house.
State Sen. John C. Rafferty, Jr., (R-44th), investigated the matter for the township.
“PennDOT considers the trees to be a safety and an engineering concern,” said Basile.
He said Ethan Michael, Inc. (EMI), developer of the Liberty Bell Motorsports Park, Route 724, Union Township, is funding a minimum of $350,000 — about half of the funding estimated to install the intersection’s full-service traffic signal and a shoulder “go-around.”
He said the remaining $400,000 to $588,000 funding from EMI for the left turn lane construction, is contingent upon the township waiving some paving at the motorsports park.
“If this [turn lane] doesn’t go through, does the township withdraw the [waiver of] parking lot paving?” asked Basile, “or, does the township [waive the paving and] use that money on other township roads?”
The board has tabled the issue.
Hatt said it must be decided for inclusion in Liberty Bell’s financial improvements agreement and before final plan approval.
He expects EMI will seek final plan approval in April.
Bogia Engineering, Inc., Wyomissing, studied the River Bridge Road and determined that the intersection’s “F” rating (due to the number of fatal accidents), would continue without a dedicated left turn lane.
“I’m in favor of a publicity campaign against PennDOT,” said Basile on Feb. 16. “They’re saying the trees won’t look good. This lady wants them as screening. I haven’t heard a good argument for them to take the trees down.”
