Upper Saucon Supervisors Approve New Parking Ordinance

A parking ordinance approved by the Upper Saucon Board of Supervisors may cause difficulties for some elderly members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Blue Church.

The board voted Monday to approve the new law, which prohibits parking along portions of Blue Church Road and Whitetail Drive.

Pastor Mark Swanson of St. Paul’s Lutheran Blue Church told the supervisors the new rules would cause hardship to elderly members because parking along the street is easier than parking in the church’s lot. He added the parking lot has stairs that many parishioners have a difficult time using, especially in inclement weather.

Swanson asked to board to consider allowing people to park at these spots on Sundays, holidays and on days when the church holds festivals.

He also proposed adding a four-way stop and other signs along Blue Church Road.

Chairman Stephen Wagner told Swanson that it is illegal in Pennsylvania to use four-way stops to slow traffic.

Upper Saucon resident William Winkler said he has lived on Blue Church Road for more than 40 years and has never heard of an accident on the road.

Swanson questioned why the township was targeting this area.

“We feel like there’s a bull’s eye right at out our hearts,” he said.

Supervisor Dennis Benner explained that a resident of Whitetail Drive went to the township’s public works department with concerns about sight distances and said it is unsafe to cross the intersection.

Benner said the township spent a great amount of time and energy on the issue and the township found that there is a safety concern.

“We’re bound—almost—to eliminate that potential safety issue,” Benner said.

Parking will no longer be allowed along:

• Blue Church Road, along the south side, for a distance of 190 feet west of the center line of Whitetail Drive/Applebutter Hill Road

• Blue Church Road, along the north side, for a distance of 160 feet east of the center line of Whitetail Drive/Applebutter Hill Road

• Whitetail Drive, east and west, for a distance of 160 feet south of the center line of Blue Church Road