FLORENCE – A last-minute decision was made by Township Council members to table a bond ordinance that would provide funding for the acquisition of property on Route 130 and Florence Columbus Road (Route 656) at a meeting on Dec. 5.
Initially listed in the agenda for a public hearing and possible vote for adoption, council President Paul Ostrander announced that the state Department of Transportation (DOT) had not submitted all of the required information for a new proposed design pertaining to the property acquisition.
Ostrander said the council members believed it would be better to withdraw the ordinance until the township receives more information in regard to the DOT’s proposed design and how it would affect nearby residents, as well as a cost estimate for the project.
Ostrander asked Township Administrator Richard Brook to provide a more thorough explanation to the public as to why the ordinance was being tabled and to discuss the council’s anticipated timeline for the project to move ahead.
“When the township first (considered) the ordinance, it was working to move forward because the DOT is on an expedited schedule because of the condition of the intersection, and there are hopes that within five years, the entire job will be done, five years or less,” Brook said.
He said the council expects to receive a final concept plan from the DOT in January. Once final plans are submitted, officials will have an estimated cost of the project and more information to provide to residents.
Brook said residents, specifically those affected by the proposed project, will be notified of and encouraged to attend a meeting to address any questions or concerns.
“(The design) will probably be more refined in respect to the dollar number and at that point there will have been a public hearing for all the members of the public and especially those property owners who are impacted by this particular work to come, view the plan, and to ask questions of the township, the DOT and the county.”