UNION TWP. >> The township supervisors recently approved an ordinance amendment that allows visitors to carry firearms into the Union Township Recreation Area off Route 724.
Township Solicitor Frederick K. Hatt said the Pennsylvania Legislature approved a bill last fall that requires municipalities to revise their ordinances to reflect the expanded right to carry firearms in public recreation areas as long as the gun owner has a license to carry the weapon.
A new sign will be posted at the entrance to the park removing firearms from the list of items visitors are not allowed to bring into the park.
In addition to firearms change, the township ordinance was also amended to reflect another state law that allows municipalities to use 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.
In other business at the Feb. 16 meeting, Supervisors’ Chairman Donald E. Basile said two trees located on private property are 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 told township officials the trees provide “screening” in front of her house.
State Sen. John C. Rafferty Jr., R-44th Dist., 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., developer of the Liberty Bell Motorsports Park, 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 Ethan Michael Inc. 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 supervisors 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 Ethan Michael Inc. will seek final plan approval in April.
Bogia Engineering Inc. of 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,” Basile said. “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.”
