HOP PERMIT APPLICATION # 40633-375666
Why It Matters to Homeowners
The developer’s Highway Occupancy Permit (HOP) application received Cycle 3 comments by PennDOT on October 30, 2025. To date, Chadds Ford Township—along with residents of the roadways most directly impacted—have been excluded by the developer from meaningful participation in the HOP review process. As such, several homeowners have filed and been granted Intervention status following a PennDOT hearing officer review.
We believe that effective mitigation of traffic on minor collector roads primarily serving residential areas to include Ridge Road must involve a comprehensive approach that includes community-based planning, with direct input from the township and residents who will be most affected.
The objective should be to discourage—rather than incentivize—non-local drivers from using residential roadways to access the proposed strip mall, while preserving safe and reasonable access for local residents, emergency services, and essential deliveries.
Under the current proposal, several predominantly residential roads will experience increased traffic volumes, safety risks, and quality-of-life impacts, including but not limited to homes and neighborhoods along Ridge Road, Heyburn Road, Ring Road, Smithbridge Road, Springhill Drive, Pleasant Hill Drive, and Sunset Hill Drive.
As an affected homeowner, you have the legal right to submit an objection and to intervene in the PennDOT HOP review process. Exercising this right ensures that your concerns are formally entered into the administrative record and must be considered.
Below is a sample objection letter provided for guidance only. It contains suggested language and should be revised to reflect your specific concerns, observations, and experiences.
HOP Interim Submission: Modified Access
MODIFIED ACCESS SENERIO
As directed by PennDOT, a modified access scenario was provided by the developer on 12/19/25 as part of the Highway Occupancy Permit (HOP) Application No. 375666. The analysis preliminarily addressed several comments contained in the Cycle 3 HOP review letter (dated October 30, 2025).
NEW ROUTE 202 PROPOSED ENTRANCE
This modified access scenario includes a NEW entrance into the strip mall via a northbound left turn lane and partial traffic signal, which stops southbound traffic so that vehicles can turn into the development from Route 202.
- This northbound left-turn lane would require Right of Way (ROW) access from the Lamar property (billboard owner)
- Failure to acquire ROW could invalidate the entire access concept.
PROPOSED IMPACTS ON RIDGE ROAD
The proposed plan intends to reduce Ridge Road Traffic Volumes by 21–26% and would eliminate the second westbound Ridge Road Lane.
- Daily trips using this second Ridge Road access point have been recalculated to a total of 4,868 DAILY along Ridge Road Between the Site Access and Route 202.
- The plan assumes that 60% of northbound Route 202 site traffic will use the new partial signal and 40% will use Ridge Road.
- NOTE: This is a behavioral assumption, not a controlled outcome and drivers will most likely continue to use Ridge Road due to a.) Habit, b.) GPS routing and c.) Signal delay avoidance - as it currently the case.
- If this assumption fails, Ridge Road impacts could be significantly understated.
DEFINITION OF LEVEL OF SERVICE (LOS) - D
The developer notes in this interim proposal that Route 202/Ridge Road/Springhill Drive intersection will operate at an overall LOS D or better. In PennDOT traffic studies, a Level of Service LOS baseline of D means that Level of Service is the MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE operating condition. LOS D is generally defined as:
- Noticeable congestion
- Reduced speeds
- Limited driver maneuverability
- Delays that are longer but still considered “acceptable"
- Traffic is near capacity, with little room for error
WHAT LOS - D LOOKS LIKE IN REAL LIFE
When traffic studies say Route 202 and Ridge Road will operate at Level of Service D, it sounds acceptable — but LOS D actually means the road is already strained. At LOS D, traffic still moves, but just barely. Cars are closer together, speeds are reduced, and there is little room for mistakes or added traffic. Any small problem — a crash, bad weather — can quickly cause backups.
For this intersection, an LOS-D rating may result in:
- Long waits at the light, especially for left turns
- Lines of cars that sometimes don’t clear in one green
- Sudden braking on Route 202 and Ridge as traffic backs up
- Frustrated drivers taking chances to “beat the light”
- More drivers cutting through nearby neighborhoods to avoid delays
LOS D — FREQUENTLY CHALLENGED BY PENNDOT
LOS D has no buffer is typically applied to an urbanized setting. Any growth or disruption can cause failure, and a small increase can push it to LOS E/F seriously impacting local neighborhoods. While LOS D is technically “acceptable” in some contexts, PennDOT challenges it when:
- It is used as a design target instead of a warning sign
- The corridor is already congested or safety-sensitive
- New development traffic is being added
- Queue lengths approach or exceed turn-lane storage
- The intersection serves residential streets or schools
Learn More About Your Rights
What is a PennDOT HOP
A Highway Occupancy Permit (HOP) — authorized by 75 Pa. C.S. § 420, implemented through 67 Pa. Code Chapter 441 — is required for any new driveway, access, or drainage connection to a state highway. The HOP regulates access points (driveways, turn lanes, signals, drainage) — not land use itself.
PennDOT evaluates safety, traffic impact, and drainage, but not zoning or land development policy — those stay under municipal control. Developers typically cannot get final land development approval without an HOP, and vice versa.
Who Can Intervene?
To date, several affected homeowners have filed, and some have been granted the right to intervene (after a hearing officer review) in this PennDOT HOP application.
Private individuals or entities may intervene if they can show:
- Direct, substantial, and immediate impact
- Not just generalized community concern
Examples Include:
- Abutting landowners
- Owners whose only access or sight distance is affected
- Owners facing measurable traffic, safety, or drainage impacts
What “Limited Intervention” Means (Very Important) - PennDOT frequently grants limited intervention, which usually allows intervenors to:
✔ Inspect and copy the HOP file
✔ Submit written comments or objections
✔ Respond to revised submissions
✔ Have comments considered by the PennDOT
Strategic Summary for Homeowners
- File Right-to-Know request for HOP plans.
- Submit detailed written objections or a Petition to Intervene to PennDOT and township engineers.
- Request active township engagement in the HOP application and traffic plan
- If approved and materially harmful, consult counsel about Commonwealth Court appeal or challenging related local approvals.
File Written Comments
Reference the above HOP application number, identify yourself as a nearby property owner, and explain specific, factual safety or drainage concerns, FOR EXAMPLE:
- Insufficient sight distance or turning radius
- Increased crash risk from driveway placement
- Added traffic congestion or cut-through impacts
- Drainage onto your property
- Conflict with township zoning or subdivision plan
Keep it professional — PennDOT must include substantive comments in its file.