A Neighbor’s Response to the Planned Sub-Division along Lindberg Ave.

My name is Bob Sopko and I live right across the street from this planned sub-division.  I attended the last Salisbury Township Planning Committee meeting on September 10, 2013.  I, too, am NOT HAPPY with the proposed subdivision as planned!  I know all of my immediate neighbors feel the same.

Not that I am or we are against homes being built, the proposal calls for 90' frontage and small, town home-like styles being built.  Existing homes along this street have a frontage of 130'.  I would demand those lots be zoned/engineered to be the same size frontage as the existing homes.  The proposal is clearly designed to maximize the number homes within the minimum amount of space for the sole purpose of maximizing profitability.  We consider this to be an insult to the integrity of our existing community.

Although the landowner says he plans on living in one of the dwellings, this cannot be guaranteed and the extent of time his family lives there can also not be guaranteed.  Leaving us with what remains.

The proposal calls for 7 lots to be placed along the short stretch of Lindberg Ave, from Oxford Dr. to the first corner turn at the top of the hill prior to Fairfield/Lindberg intersection.  This is the area of the existing open field on the left side of the road as you drive up the hill on Lindberg coming from the direction of Oxford Dr.

I want the Planning Commission and our Township Engineers to take these considerations into account if any number of homes are to be built:

1. Widening of Lindberg Ave.  As of right now, Lindberg Ave along this stretch of road is only a 2 car-wide road.  If I parked a car along my frontage and another on the opposite side of the street, Lindberg Ave would almost be impassable.  As cars travel in either direction, and with the blind corner at the top of the hill, there will be accidents due to the reduced visibility to oncoming traffic.  The road would need to be widened to about the same size as Lindberg Ave is adjacent to Lindberg Park (and that is even the minimum.  It's tough to pass that section when a baseball game is in progress).

2. Street Lights.  This is the darkest area and most dangerous section along this road.  We've even had our own Township Police officers hit deer while traveling under the normal speed limit along this section.  The more homes that are built, the more families move in.  The more families, the more children playing.  Huge potential for accidents.  There have been several incidences where I have personally witnessed cars traveling at night, at a higher rate of speed, not negotiate the turn at the top of the hill and end up off the road into the embankment.  Unless you are familiar with the road, one can easily miss the turn.  Let alone being distracted.

3. Speed bumps.  Due to the number of potential families along this stretch and the fact that drivers travel faster than the speed limit, speed bumps should be installed to slow traffic in this area.

4.  Road Signs.  Road signs of "Caution: Turn Ahead", "Children at Play", lower speed limit for this section or Arrows indication Turn Ahead.

5.  Sidewalks.  This section of Lindberg is used heavily by pedestrians.  Runners, walkers, walking dogs/pets (can't do that in the park) connecting homeowners on this side of Lindberg Park to the beautiful, absolutely gorgeous Lehigh Parkway.  Even if Lindberg Ave was to be widened, sidewalks need to be installed to allow for safe passage if 2 cars were parked on either side of the road.  And since this is a new proposal to existing housing, I recommend the sidewalk be installed on the proposed side of the road.

6. Traffic Light Installed at the Lindberg Ave/Oxford Intersection.  There are always accidents at this location to begin with.  Several times I've had to run down the road calling 911 on my cell phone and assisting drivers/passengers at the accident scene.  This is a PennDOT controlled road.  With the increase in the number of cars a traffic light would most definitely be required.

7.  Home Values.  Listen, those who know me well enough know that I am not a snob.  I come from a very humble background and was raised in the great section of Salisbury Township along Public Rd. (Ward 1).  I graduated from Salisbury High School, West Chester University, served my country as an Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, retired from the U.S. Navy Reserves as a Commander and have lived all over the country. 

In my current profession of a Commercial Airline Pilot, I could live anywhere.  I chose to "come home" and live in the greatest municipality of Salisbury Township.  Great school system, great baseball team, great people.  The fact of the matter is, the home values in this area range from $497,000 to $1.3 million.  Nowhere in this immediate area has this style of proposed lot sizes and homes.  It would be out of place and would reduce the already shrinking home values.  Needless to say, I pay my share of taxes to both the School District and Township.  And... Who pays for all of these needed "improvements"?

If the Township Commissioners read this, if the Zoning Commissioners read this, if the Township Engineer reads this and want to know "The Pulse" of how the immediate neighbors feel about this proposal - now you have it.

I intend to attend every township planning meeting until this is resolved and will encourage my neighbors to do so as well.  WE ARE NOT HAPPY with the proposed sub-division as it is currently proposed.



Bob Sopko
2507 Lindberg Ave
Allentown, PA 18103
Salisbury Township