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TOWNSHIP HAPPENINGS:
Federation of Civic Associations of Lower Merion Township and Narberth
Matters Before the Township as of September 2012
Trash fees will be going up 9% next year – this will be explained by Dean Dortone at the Finance Committee meeting on September 12.
Brian O’Neill is back with a plan for even more apartment units by the river, this time including a four-story garage building and a 1.5 parking space per unit ratio. Joe Manko is now representing him. Will there be another 80 hours of conditional use hearings followed by years of litigation?
St. Joe’s buys the Cardinal’s mansion property; look for more development on City Avenue.
The Cynwyd Heritage branch of CVS (located at Rock Hill Road and Belmong Avenue) is scheduled for a conditional use hearing before the Building and Planning Committee of the Board of Commissioners on September 12. They want to develop the property under the underlying C2 zoning rather than the Rock Hill Road District overlay.
A 46-unit apartment building adjacent to the existing Cambridge Square condominium on Sibley Avenue in Ardmore is proposed. Neighbors in the existing building are concerned about congestion, traffic, parking for visitors, and deprivation of light and air. The project brings into focus the problem of the Church Road Bridge, which continues to be non-functional for several hours a day.
Bryn Mawr Film Institute’s plans for expansion with an annex on Central Avenue are moving forward with consideration of a lot line change.
Ludington Library reopened September 8; Ardmore library hours now revert to normal, closed Sundays. The timetable for the next stage of library renovations remains uncertain.
The new ordinance on conversion of church (and similar) buildings to apartment use moves forward but won’t be adopted this month. It will be considered by the Planning Commission this evening (September 10) at 7:00 p.m., and a public hearing will be held on September 12 by the Board of Commissioners. Tonight the PC will also look at the proposed amendments to the exterior lighting ordinance. Harriet Ruffin has now officially replaced Bob Gray on the Planning Commission; Mr. Gray will continue as co-chair of the Land Use Committee for the Comprehensive Plan. Charles Howland and Alan Ritterband are co-chairs of the Planning Commission
Wynnewood and Shortridge Civic Associations are contesting LA Fitness’s plan for a 24-hour fitness center in the former Wynnewood Borders building before the Zoning Hearing Board September 20; there is also concern among the residential abutters about the potential of the Giant’s (former Genuardi’s) being open 24 hours . They have also filed a protective appeal against the decision of the Zoning Enforcement Office, Mike Wylie, that LA Fitness’s proposed use is not a special exception use.
Rosemont College wants to turn its athletic field into a softball field plus multi-purpose athletic field, and to build a 4,600 square foot “support building”, some of which will be built into a steep slope they claim is man made. – Zoning Hearing Board September 20.
Construction has commenced on the new Wyoming Avenue apartment building.
The Board of Commissioners spent 2-1/2 hours on July 25 expressing its displeasure with the clear cutting of trees from a steeply sloped property at 1500 Monk Road, Gladwyne; the owner claims that the weed trees and invasive species will be replaced by higher quality native species. The Township is particularly interested because of its investment in studying the Soapstone Creek storm water problem. The issue implicates the Township’s need for a more pro-active policy about storm water.
Special Finance Committee, Building and Planning, and Police Committee meetings are scheduled for September 19, but the agendas have not been disclosed.
