TOWNSHIP OF LOWER MERION. Public Works Committee. Issue Briefing

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Dylan Gilmore
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1 Exhibit E TOWNSHIP OF LOWER MERION Public Works Committee Issue Briefing Topic: Prepared By: Idris Road Planting Don Cannon Date: March 28, 2016 I. Action To Be Considered By The Board: Provide $30,000 of Township funds for planting of trees and ground cover along Idris Road between the Merion Train Station and Beacom Lane. II. Why This Issue Requires Board Consideration: There is no funding for this project in the 2016 Operating or Capital Budgets III. Current Policy Or Practice (If Applicable): N/A IV. Other Relevant Background Information: There was a storm sewer issue creating a problem on the railroad tracks from storm water leaving Idris Road and eroding the track bed. Previously along this stretch of roadway was a vegetative buffer. This buffer was removed by Amtrak with an herbicidal spray killing all vegetative matter. When Amtrak started to work on a solution to the storm water issue, it was determined they were working on the private property of the property owners on Idris Road. It was further determined that the entire strip of land was the private property of the residential owners on Idris Road. Township staff, working with Amtrak staff, developed a storm water plan to keep the water runoff in a drainage ditch and pipe on Amtrak property. Amtrak s contribution to the project allowed for a new planting along Idris Road to replace what had died.

2 Exhibit E Unfortunately, due to the lack of maintenance, most of the plant material has now died. While there has been some maintenance contributed by the abutting property owners, without dedicated hours, the weeds took over the area. The area also had no access to water to help the plants establish themselves. The area in question is private property, but located within the right-of-way (ROW). As such, the area would be eligible for shade tree plantings, but maintenance of land behind the curbline within the right-of-way is the responsibility of the property owner. The residents are trying to reestablish a community garden that had been started by the civic association in the 1930 s. V. Impact On Township Finances: The impact would be an unbudgeted expenditure of up to $30,000 to replant the area and install a water line with hose bib connections. No determination has been recommended as to what party would be responsible for the annual water charges. VI. Staff Recommendation: Staff has not made a recommendation on this project. While work will be completed in the right-of-way of Idris Road, it is still on private property. There has been no plan submitted regarding the commitment of the neighbors or civic association as to the maintenance of the area.

3 IDRIS ROAD GARDEN Merion Station Lower Merion Township Make the Township Greener and more Sustainable

4 Idris Road Garden Merion Train Station Merion Botanical Park Location Plan Merion Station, Lower Merion Township

5 Merion Station EDUCATION Idris Road Garden University of Pennsylvania M.Arch.UD / MCP University of Toronto B.Arch. Start of Idris Road Garden Merion Station c.1926

Merion Civic Association Yearbooks 1931: The window boxes at the Station, Post Office and Waiting Room continue to receive the necessary care by your Association.

6 Merion Civic Association Yearbooks 1931: The window boxes at the Station, Post Office and Waiting Room continue to receive the necessary care by your Association. The flowers and shrubbery which beautify the station grounds and the banks at the sides of the tracks are being well maintained through the cooperation of the officials of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. 1928: Rose Beds on the Banks of the Railroad 1937: Evergreen Trees on Idris Road (planting of 105 hemlocks) 1936: The improvement on ldris Road has been completed since your last Annual Meeting, extensive grading and the planting of 105 hemlocks, furnished by your Association, as an informal hedge along the railroad, and the placing of heavy river boulders from Beacom Lane to Merion Station to protect this planting has been carried out through the cooperation of the Shade Tree Commission, The Highway Department, and The Pennsylvania Railroad Company.

7 AMTRAK Idris Road Garden Stakeholders Attempted to address drainage issue along Idris Road and train tracks TOWNSHIP Worked with Amtrak and neighborhood to address drainage issues NEIGHBORHOOD Worked with Township and associated consultants to regain the historic 100 plus year old buffer as a sustainable garden

8 Goals & Objectives Protect investment from the Township Minimize Brush, Grass and Weeds by planting ground cover Institute a community based maintenance plan Enhance, protect and provide a sustainable ecosystem in our neighborhood

300 foot long precast concrete wall to control drainage

9 Amtrak Amtrak killed the trees in this historic 100 plus year old buffer with herbicide Amtrak planned a 300 foot long precast concrete wall to control drainage coming from the township streets (in the Township right of way)

10 Amtrak with Township 11/19/2012 Cutting of mature trees by Amtrak in preparation of Township drainage infrastructure

11 Section through Township Right-of-Way 04/19/2013 Detailed Section from Pennoni Associates Inc. Construction Documents

12 Township Drainage Project 08/27/2013 Drainage infrastructure installation along Idris Road

13 Township Planting 10/15/2013 Planting of the Garden by Contractor

14 Township Planting 10/21/2013 Application of mulch to the newly planted garden

15 Brush Grass Weeds + Dead Shrubs & Trees FIRST SUMMER Summer 2014 Garden under contract for maintenance SECOND SUMMER Summer 2015 End of maintenance contract in Spring 2015 Fall 2015 Community cleanup day

Brush Grass Weeds + Dead Shrubs & Trees Chapter 59 Township of Lower Merion Code under Brush, Grass and Weeds: Any weeds, including but not limited to jimson, burdock, ragweed, thistle, cocklebur or

16 Brush Grass Weeds + Dead Shrubs & Trees Chapter 59 Township of Lower Merion Code under Brush, Grass and Weeds: Any weeds, including but not limited to jimson, burdock, ragweed, thistle, cocklebur or other weeds of like kind, or any vines, tall grasses or other objectionable vegetation exceeding 12 inches in height, growing on any lot or tract of ground in the Township, are hereby declared to be health hazards and nuisances. It is hereby declared to be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to permit any such weeds, vines, tall grasses or other objectionable vegetation to grow or remain on any lot or track of ground in the Township.

17 2015 Fall Clean-Up by Concerned Neighbors November 7, 2015 Consultants recommended that all the weeds needed to be removed to allow the existing plantings to have a better chance of survival and to minimize the spread of weed seeds in the SPRING of 2016.

18 May 2015: Current Status Substandard replacement trees, shrubs and mulch were installed End of maintenance contract with the Township October 8, 2015: Meeting with Commissioner Brian Gordon, Township Manager Ernie McNeely and Director of Public Works Donald Cannon to discuss future maintenance plan October 21, 2015: Meeting with concerned neighbors and Landscape Architect Diana Mancini (from Pennoni) to develop a plan and budget for the rejuvenation and future maintenance of the garden November 7, 2015: Neighborhood clean-up April 6, 2016: Request, at the next Public Works Meeting, to amend the 2016 BUDGET to include capital funding for the garden

19 2016 ESTIMATED COST 1. Landscape Consulting Fees $3,300 Design and selection of plant materials 2. Weed 900 ft x 10 ft garden $1,900 Remove all weeds, dying trees and shrubs Apply pre-emergent herbicide, one application x 4,500 sf 3. Install screened compost and incorporate into the topsoil $1,800 1 thick x 9,000 sf = 30 cubic $60.00/cy 4. Install (2) frost free garden water hydrant at third points of the garden for watering $8,000 Coordinate installation with AQUA and LM Public Works GENERAL FUNDS $15, Replace the dead and dying trees and shrubs $5,000 7 large $ each 12 large $ each 48 small $50.00 each 6. Install additional planting placed around the trees and shrubs $10,000 New planting to be a mix of groundcover plants, perennials and low grasses 2,858 plugs planted 12 $3.50/ea DEVELOPER FUNDS $15,000 TOTAL ESTIMATED COST for REPAIRS $30,000

20 March 2016: PLAN for Idris Road Garden Design and selection of plant materials April 2016: Remove dead trees, shrubs and weeds Apply herbicide and compost soil Install (2) water spigots (300 feet apart) Establish maintenance plan with neighbors May and/or September 2016: (depending on availability of developer funds) Plant ground cover plugs, seeds, trees and shrubs

21 Idris Road Garden Proposed Planting Materials and Frost Free Garden Water Hydrant Spigots

Landscape Questionnaire

Landscape Questionnaire This form was developed to assess your landscape needs and preferences. Please fill out all relevant questions and skip those that are not relevant. There is room for further elaboration