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Comisky is the fifth member of the board who voted for the current Ardmore redevelopment plan to not seek re-election. Mary Wright (R-Rosemont), Jim Ettelson (R-Merion), Charles Bloom (R-Bryn Mawr) and Ken Davis (R-Gladwyne) have all decided to leave the board this year when their terms expire. All five have cited time constraints as their reason for leaving.
Felice Wiener (D-Penn Wynne), who was not present for the final Ardmore redevelopment vote, will also no longer be a member of the board after December. Andrew Tanzer defeated her in this year's Democratic primary.
With at least five supporters of the current Ardmore redevelopment plan guaranteed to leave the board in the next two years, some residents believe the plan could be in jeopardy.
"It's going to be a different board. We're optimistic that [the current redevelopment plan] will be defeated," said Sharon Eckstein, president of the Save Ardmore Coalition. Under the current redevelopment plan, Lower Merion would encourage private developers to construct new mixed-used buildings in several locations throughout Ardmore. One of those spots would be located on land currently occupied by several Lancaster Avenue businesses, raising the possibility that the township would use eminent domain to acquire the properties.
The Save Ardmore Coalition, a group of merchants and residents, has protested the use of eminent domain and the destruction of any historic buildings in Ardmore. The November commissioner's election may ultimately decide the future of the plan.
When asked to comment on changes in store for the board and the potential impact on the redevelopment plan, township manager Doug Cleland, responding through spokesperson Brenda Viola, said, "The township's staff serves at the will of the board and would only do what the majority of the board wanted."
