Islamic Center Reclassification Fails As LMSD Eyes Site

ARDMORE, PA – In what appears to be a win for those in the "Save Stoneleigh" camp, the Lower Merion Township Building and Planning Committee voted Wednesday to keep the Islamic Foundation Center's current historic classification, paving the way for the Lower Merion School District to move ahead with building a school at the site.

That means the likelihood of the district seizing land of the Stoneleigh property has diminished.

After many comments and debate from commissioners and the public, the board voted 7-7 on an amendment that would allow reclassifying the Islamic Foundation Center at 1860 Montgomery Ave. as a Class One historical building. The tied vote means the motion failed and the Class Two designation remains in place.

Keeping it Class Two means the district can demolish the buildings and construct a new school as the district's enrollment continues to grow. A Class One designation creates more barriers to demolish a structure deemed such.

"From the perspective of the School District, this is great news as it means one obstacle to building a new middle school for grades five through eight on that site has been removed," the district said in a statement following the vote. "President Dr. Melissa Gilbert and the Board would like to express their gratitude to the Board of Commissioners, especially President Bernheim, for their thoughtful cooperation and collaboration as the District pursues its preferred option of a new middle school for our increasing student population. Dr. Gilbert would also like to thank the many District parents and other concerned citizens who attended and spoke at the meeting."

The district voted earlier this week to allow the purchase of 1860 Montgomery Ave. for a new middle school.

St. Charles Seminary was taken off the table as a new site, as the Archdiocese has plans to continue using the property for the next five years.

Additionally, the Friends Central Lower School is also off the table, as the school isn't interested in selling the property and the district is unable to condemn a site already in use for educational purposes.

The district looked at eminent domain to seize part of Stoneleigh, which is owned by Natural Lands Trust, prompting State Rep. Warren Kampf to introduce a bill limiting the use of eminent domain.

Stoneleigh still remains an option to a certain extent however.

"If adequate field space can be found within the Township, that would enable the District to step away from consideration of all or any of Stoneleigh," the district said. "The School Board and Administration would very much like to take use of Stoneleigh off the table, as they understand its unique value to the community as well."

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