Bedford officials hoping compromise reached on Joppa Hill Road

“Town officials hope negotiations with Joppa Hill Road property owners will result in a formal compromise, rather than taking land by eminent domain.

The town has been trying to reach an agreement with property owners Faith and Chris Schuetz, of 306 Joppa Hill Road, since early spring to obtain a portion of their land to improve sight distance at the intersection of Joppa Hill and Cider Mill roads.

On Sept. 21, Town Manager Jessie Levine said a verbal compromise has been reached. The compromise, if formally signed, would preserve most of the mature maple trees and a Pennsylvania spruce on the Schuetz’s property, and would relocate a section of a stone wall. The town would also gain about 260 feet of land to improve the sight distance at the intersection.

The sight distance at the intersection of Joppa Hill and Cider Mill roads is currently 138 feet, while design standards are 390 feet.”

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Clark, Susan. THe Bedford Bulletin 22 September 2013.