Country Club Ordered to Install Sidewalks in Borough

representatives appeared dismayed Oct. 3, after a 6-1 decision by Hellertown Borough Council to require the installation of sidewalk along Depot and Durham streets, where the club requested and received approval for a minor subdivision plan.

Borough Engineer Bryan Smith explained at the council meeting that the subdivision of "just over an acre" surrounding an historic stone home at the intersection of Durham Street and Constitution Avenue was being requested so the club will have the option to sell the property in the future.

The stone home, which is opposite , is currently used as a residence, he said.

Smith noted that the country club owns the property on both sides of the one-acre parcel, and told council it had requested a deferral for the installation of sidewalk required by borough ordinance.

Speaking before council, Silver Creek General Manager Casey Counsellor argued that installing the sidewalks in an area that is currently cut off from other walkways could create a dangerous situation for pedestrians.

"You're asking them to travel in an awkward pattern," he said.

Counsellor added that he personally lived in the stone house for five years.

He also criticized the borough for enforcing its mowing ordinance in the past, which he said has not made sense in the conservation district that Silver Creek is part of.

When asked for his opinion on the subject of the sidewalks deferral, Hellertown zoning and codes enforcement officer Joe Chernaskey said he is "not really in favor of waivers," but noted that the borough has granted them in the past.

"This is your call, really," he told council. "I really don't have an opinion on it."

Council vice president John Bate was not swayed by the arguments presented by Counsellor, and advocated strongly for the sidewalks to be installed.

"Their entire property is the only property on that street that does not have sidewalk," he said.

Councilman Tom Rieger, however, said the sidewalk would likely be a "sidewalk to nowhere" if installed, although Smith had noted earlier that by crossing Durham Street a pedestrian could reach the sidewalk surrounding Dimmick Park at Constitution Avenue.

A motion to reject Silver Creek's request for a deferral was made by Bate and approved 6-1, with Rieger voting against it.

A motion in favor of the subdivision plan was also approved 6-1, with councilwoman Stephanie Kovacs voting against it. 

After the motions were approved, Counsellor asked if the installation of the sidewalks would require signage and ramps to be installed.

Smith responded by stating that all of the requirements that go along with the installation of sidewalk in the borough will be in effect along the "entire frontage" of the subdivided property.

"Now we're wrapping a (sidewalk) around nowhere again," Counsellor commented.