Residents Launch Petition To Stop Ardmore Target

ARDMORE, PA – Target, the popular retailer, is eying a very busy location in Ardmore for a potential new store. But residents in the area have something to say about that, so much so that they have launched a petition in hopes of nixing the store's plans.

A Change.org petition was launched by Marie Kramer of Ardmore recently and says a Target at the corner Lancaster and Ardmore avenues would negatively impact the area in multiple ways.

"A Target on the intersection of Lancaster Ave. and Ardmore Ave. will only make traffic worse than it is already is," she writes. "The 32,000 sf of retail, 35 apartments and only 87 parking spots does not fit on that intersection."

She also addressed overcrowding issues at Lower Merion School District schools and tied that to the Target.

"Our School District is experiencing problems with overcrowding," she said. "You need to put a brake on large developments to help with the overcrowding of the School District."

Another issue Kramer brings up is parking.

"Allowing the developer to use the municipal parking lots will push the small businesses by Ardmore West to go out of business by having to share the only parking they have," she said. "Allowing the developer to use the municipal parking lot by the Ardmore House will put the senior citizens that live at the Ardmore House in danger by increasing the traffic there."

And her last point is the zoning classification for the lot on which Target is looking to build.

"This development does not qualify for MUST (Mixed Use Special Transportation District) as only a small section of the Target is within1,500 sf of the Ardmore Train Station," she said.

She says in her petition that the Lower Merion Township Commissioners' "duty is to the residents and not to the developers and businesses."

So far, the petition, which will be delivered to the township commissioners, has 299 of 500 sought signatures.

"Keep Ardmore charming, residential and affordable," she closes her petition with.

You can see, or sign, Kramer's petition here.

Image via Mike Mozart, Flickr Commons