Bryn Mawr Guest Suites Must Stop Renting Rooms, Township Says

The owner of , a site where a former squash coach , has been ordered by Lower Merion Township to immediately stop renting out rooms.

The 31 Morton Road property is a duplex and was last issued a rental license for two rental units in 2009, according to the zoning violation notice issued by Lower Merion Zoning Officer Michael Wylie to owner Ann Marie Woods, of 29 B. Morton Road, on Aug. 4.

“It has come to the Township’s attention and confirmed by viewing your advertisement on the internet (http://www.brynmawrguestsuites.com/) that the referenced property has been converted to a rooming house without zoning approval or a Certificate of Occupancy,” the notice states. 

Woods would need a variance in order to operate a rooming house, according to the notice.

The notice goes on to say Woods would face a fine of $500 plus court costs and fees for each day of violation if she did not comply. The application for a zoning appeal, which must be filed within 30 days of the notice, costs $1,260.

A call to Bryn Mawr Guest Suites on Monday morning was not answered, and a call to Woods was not immediately returned.

Bryn Mawr Guest Suites is the first of several locations in the township 50-year-old James Civello, who was a squash coach at the Shipley School, has been accused of having sex with a 16-year-old student beginning in April.

Civello faces one count of corruption of a minor and one count of endangering the welfare of a child. Civello and is scheduled for a formal arraignment at the Montgomery County Courthouse Sept. 7.