Penn Wynne Elementary School Update: Wonderful news and a request for your support
The Penn Wynne Civic Association (PWCA) is pleased to announce a proposed compromise plan with Lower Merion School District (LMSD) to address the parking deficiency and proposed asphalt play space expansion at Penn Wynne Elementary School (PWES).

Plan Details
Under the agreement, ten parking spaces will be added at the corner of Haverford and Drayton, and 23 additional spaces will be placed in reserve (planned but not built) in front of the school on Haverford Road. Parking needs will be assessed after the new middle school opens, and if the township requires the spaces to be built, this plan ensures that the Trent field will remain protected. After the modulars are removed in 2022, a 4,486 square foot asphalt play space will be added adjacent to the cafetorium, along with pathways connecting the various play areas so students can move freely between them. We are also asking that the softball field and modular disturbance be restored. Modified Conditional Use Plan - Haverford Road Parking

Next Steps
This agreement is a huge step forward, but the plan still requires approvals from the Zoning Hearing Board and the Board of Commissioners. The next steps are critical. To ensure the agreement reflects the intent of the compromise, we will continue to engage our experienced zoning attorney, Carl Weiner, and we are grateful for the reduced fee he is charging us. Mr. Weiner has worked with our team of volunteer engineers, researchers, and lawyers, and used his expertise to finally resolve years of negotiations. We are hopeful we can reach an agreement within the next few months.

How You Can Help
This effort, which started several years ago, has not been simple or inexpensive. Both the PWCA and neighbors have financially supported the efforts to publicize the issues and pay for an attorney. As board members of the Penn Wynne Civic Association, we did not take these expenses lightly, and only spent money when all-volunteer efforts were exhausted and we needed legal representation to advocate on our behalf. We know many neighbors are facing financial challenges, but if you are able to contribute to the PWCA legal fund, we appreciate all contributions, large and small. The amount raised is important, but the number of households who choose to donate will convey the scope of our support. Donate online here or by check made payable to PWCA (please note Legal Fund in the memo), PWCA ℅ PW Library, 130 Overbrook Pkwy, Wynnewood, PA 19096.

We thank you all for your participation and support over the years; none of this would have been possible without your constant support and encouragement. Hopefully, we can all celebrate a resolution, in person, soon.

Dear Penn Wynne Neighbors,

We wanted to share some recent developments regarding the expansion plans at Penn Wynne Elementary School (PWES) that we feel are moving in a positive direction. This past week, Penn Wynne Civic Association (PWCA) representatives and PWCA’s attorney, Carl Weiner, met with the Lower Merion School District (LMSD) Director of Operations and LMSD’s attorney with a goal of developing a solution that would be acceptable to LMSD, the Township, neighbors and families. After a productive conversation, we all agreed that it was in everyone’s best interest to postpone the related Zoning Hearing Board meeting that had been scheduled for October 22nd to allow more time for discussions. With the hope that an agreement can be reached in the next few months, LMSD has been granted an extension on the three proposed expansion plans, as well as the requested modulars extension, through April 30, 2021. 

With the support of our Commissioner, Rick Churchill, we will continue meeting with LMSD, Township Commissioners and staff to work toward a plan that addresses the concerns of PWES neighbors while balancing the needs of the school district. The PWCA stands firm in protecting the Trent Road field and supporting a pedestrian-safe solution that places additional parking as needed in the front along Haverford Road. Ideally, this parking would be kept in reserve (held but not built) so that the need can be reassessed after the fifth graders move to the new middle school in the fall of 2022. 

Thank you to everyone who supports the PWCA by speaking up, showing up, and making donations. Unfortunately, we need legal assistance to adequately represent our interests in preserving the PWES field, constraining further expansion of the school building, and minimizing traffic and safety hazards. Though we are making every effort to limit attorney fees, we need significant assistance to cover the costs.

We ask Penn Wynne neighbors to donate as generously as possible to our Legal Assistance Fund. 

Please go to https://www.pwcivic.org/give to donate.   

Regardless of your ability to donate, we will continue to keep the community apprised of any developments regarding PWES and always welcome feedback from the community on our ongoing efforts.

Please also consider joining us for our Annual Meeting this upcoming weekend:

Sunday, November 1st

Wynnewood Valley Park

1:00 p.m. Gathering (socially distanced)

1:30 p.m. Update, Election and Vote

Our regular monthly meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m (via Zoom). Everyone is welcome!

Sharon Weinstein and Shelby Sparrow

PWCA Co-Presidents

Dear Neighbors:

On Oct. 22, 2020, the Zoning Hearing Board is scheduled to review the school district’s application to permanently waive 25 required parking spaces at Penn Wynne Elementary School (PWES). This request is made in order to gain asphalt play space on the field. Note that we already have the largest amount of hard surface play space and the least amount of playing field per student in the district.

The Penn Wynne Civic Association (PWCA) maintains that the parking requirement can be met without waivers or paving the playing field. To help represent the interests of our community in this matter, the PWCA has retained the services of real estate attorney Carl Weiner of HRMM&L. With his assistance, we plan to submit a recommendation to the Zoning Hearing Board and to the Lower Merion Board of Commissioners.

Background:

There is a parking shortage at PWES, and there are feasible ways to add parking that preserve the field.

• Engineers have confirmed that a parking lot in front of PWES is viable and will not block the historic façade. All the required additional parking can fit in front of the school. The front of the school is not desirable for play due to proximity to busy Haverford Road. LMSD doesn’t need a parking waiver to preserve the Trent Rd field. 

• The front parking lot could be placed in reserve (hold the space but don’t build it) for the time being. Parking needs will likely decrease once the new middle school is open and the 5th-grade classes move to the new location. LMSD recently chose this option at Harriton and Merion Elementary to maintain their playing fields and save taxpayer money.

LMSD claims they need to “save” the allowable impervious surface set under the old zoning code in case there is a future need to expand. Thus they plan to preemptively add pavement to our small playing field. We disagree. If the need for expansion occurs, LMSD can submit an application to the township for waivers as they've successfully done numerous times in the past.

Thank you for your support,

Shelby Sparrow and Sharon Weinstein

PWCA Co-Presidents