Eldred Supervisors hold hearing on vacating road

Eldred Township Supervisors continued deliberation of an ordinance proposal to vacate a portion of Stone Arch Bridge Road in Kunkletown.

The board of supervisors held a hearing with the public recently to answer questions that residents had in regards to how the road would directly affect them and local businesses.

A main area of concern was the impact this would have on Kunkletown General Store, a pivotal part of the community’s downtown. Some proposals would eliminate a large area of space that has been used as parking for Kunkletown General Store for over 20 years.

Details of the ordinance:

• Stone Arch Bridge Road used to be a state road when Chestnut Ridge Road was realigned. This part of the road no longer became necessary for state and road purposes, causing it to become abandoned by the state. Accordingly, the township acquired ownership.

• Township supervisors have the authority to vacate public roads as deemed necessary.

• The term vacation in this context means the township is giving up the public travel rights in the road.

• The township owns property on the west side of the road and east side of the road.

Many concerns from public comments during the meeting involved speculations of what the vacated area would be used for, and if it would hinder the space for customers and clients to access the general store

Supervisors’ Chairman Gary Hoffman addressed some of the rumors, emphasizing that nothing has been decided.

“To avert any fears at this point, we have no plan, we have no funding, there’s been a lot of speculation, there’s a lot of artist renditions, but there’s nothing on the books that we have as far as the definite forward movement. I heard a rumor today that we are going to build a $200,000 fountain. I have no clue where that came from.”

Vice Chairwoman JoAnn Bush emphasized how benefiting the community is at the core of any developments in consideration for the area, referring to Kunkletown General Store, the business directly adjacent to Stone Arch Bridge Road.

“The whole purpose of this attempt is to improve the downtown area by improving the landscaping, and not imposing on the current business at hand. It’s all of our intention to increase the business of the store so that people can come in and have more area outside to enjoy their summer ice cream cones, etc., but as Gary said, we have no immediate plans there.”

When asked about the benefit of vacating the road, township solicitor Michael A. Gaul said, “It would be in best interest of the township to vacate the road, thereby relieving the township of any liability and cost of maintaining said portion of road, and making that area available for other use.”

The public had additional questions relating to unregistered vehicles being parked in the area, upkeep of landscaping and losing parking spaces for Kunkletown General Store.

Hoffman said, “I think there’s a lot of rumor and misconception here about what’s spinning around the community. We need to promote business and not do anything against it, and that’s not the objective of this board.

“But if we could, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to park down there and not have potholes and muddy water all over the place? Or a place to sit?”

No decision was made at the meeting. The supervisors said all suggestions are being considered, and any decision made would strive to benefit the township as a whole.