Residents React to Proposed Apartment Plan

The Huntingdon Valley Library was packed with local residents Tuesday night as all eyes were fixed on the presentation made to the Board of Commissioners of a proposed 250-unit apartment complex.

The developers – Jefferson Apartment Group/Greenhill Group – want to rebuild the 9.5 acres of property along Philmont Avenue into residential apartments and commercial space to be used for restaurants or offices.

Representatives from the company provided a revised sketch plan that . The 5,000 square feet of commercial space would be built across four new buildings; two along Philmont Ave. and two along Tomlinson Rd.

The applicant’s plan calls for a total of 250 dwelling units (one and two-bedroom apartments), but Lower Moreland’s current zoning code will only allow 111 units on the proposed property. The disparity in numbers will be a “large discussion point” moving forward.

“As it exists today, the current proposal doesn’t meet our codes,” township engineer Tim Woodrow said. “We would need amendments to our code in order to facilitate this design with this density, with this amount of property, with this amount of commercial space … I think the first hurdle is this zoning hurdle.”

Traffic, schools, storm water and parking were other concerns that were brought up during the presentation. Woodrow described those as "threshold issues" that would need to be addressed and hammered out before the sketch plan can move forward.

The developers described the apartments as “high-quality units that would be an asset to the community.” Rent would cost anywhere between $1,350-$1,950 per month.

“We recognize some limitations on that corridor and we’re trying to revitalize it,” the developers said.

Many residents have voiced their displeasure over what the apartments will do to the school district and the possible overcrowding of schools. The developers presented information from the Montgomery County Planning Commission that said only an estimated 17 school-aged children live in similar residential-based spaces. An average of .04 students are housed in one-bedroom apartments while an average of 0.1 live in two-bedroom units, according to information released by the county. It was also noted that the lease terms on the units would have a maximum of two occupants per bedroom in each apartment.

In regards to traffic, the developers believe the location close to the Philmont Train Station will be a deductor. They pointed out the following advantages that would reduce conjestion:

• location promotes ridership of train
• generate 1/3 fewer trips then comparably sized residential developments
• support biking/walking to the station

The Board of Commissioners stressed to the public that this was strictly an informational meeting and nothing was decided. There was a lot of detail that wasn't in the plan, and the township will still need to look over the zoning codes and other changes to the revised plan before making any decision.