Ambler Savings Bank Working on Land Development Proposal

As part of the negotiations involving Ambler Savings Bank’s proposal to demolish their pre-existing East Butler Avenue building and build a new, three-story building at the same location, Ambler's borough planning commission recently asked the bank to revise their land development plan.

According to the commission Chairman Steven Ware, there were still a number of issues that had not been settled: “I think that when all of these parts come together this will be more clean and concise.”

At their Tuesday night meeting the commission listened to Anthony Hibbeln, the bank’s engineer, speak about the possibilities of plant life around the building, as well as how the bank would need to obtain approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  

Because the property is situated in a recognized floodplain, the bank’s plans require additional scrutiny and FEMA must give their approval for construction.  Per Roger Zacharia, the bank’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, the bank basement was flooded in 2011’s hurricane Irene.

According to Zacharia, the new building will be flood-proof, and, at a proposed 28,000 square feet, will be able to house the retail department, the lending department, and administrative support people, who are currently located in two different buildings.  “This building will allow us to remain in Ambler for many years to come,” he said.

The bank will soon celebrate 140 years in Ambler.  They have been at their current location since 1962.

Concurrently, the borough solicitor Joseph E. Bresnan, Esq. is reviewing the town’s zoning ordinance along with the bank in order to revise the ordinance.  He describes the ordinance issues as being minor, such as the issue of shielding a building generator from public view.  

According to Bresnan, when an applicant wants to build a structure, the applicant will often ask for the zoning ordinance to be adjusted in some way.  “I can’t think of many substantial projects that don’t involve ordinance changes and variances,” he said.

In May the Zoning Hearing Board approved the variances from the borough’s zoning code that the bank had requested.  After the ordinance is finalized the next step is for the bank to file a land development application.  Eventually the planning commission will give their recommendation to the borough council, who will vote on the final matter.