Lower Merion Development Cited As Montco Economy Booms

NORRISTOWN, PA -- The economy is improving in Montgomery County.

That is according the Montgomery County Planning Commission (MCPC), which said that 2015 saw more land development and subdivision proposals than any year since 2009.

“This increase in activity shows that the economy in Montgomery County has significantly improved after a post-recession dip in activity,” said Josh Shapiro, chair of the Montgomery County Commissioners, in a prepared statement. The numbers came from the MCPC’s annual Summary of Subdivision, Land Development, and Zoning Activity report.

In 2015, 4,089 units were proposed, dominated by apartments and multifamily units.

MCPC said that the newer trend in both younger and older generations seeking to live near employment, major road access,retail centers, and public transit, has also contributed to redevelopment opportunities.

Upper Merion Township was the leader for multifamily development proposals due to the momentum with the Village at Valley Forge, but also with rezoning in the King of Prussia Business Park and transit-oriented development in the township’s more eastern business area. Upper Moreland and Lower Merion also saw major multifamily projects proposed near employment centers in 2015.

In addition, nonresidential proposals also increased across the board in 2015, including at the commercial, office, industrial, and institutional level.

The industrial sector had two of the three largest nonresidential projects proposed, both in Hatfield Township.

MCPC received 157 proposed amendments to either the zoning code or zoning map of local municipalities.

Each year the commission compiles statistics regarding these submissions to analyze trends in plan proposals.

The information and statistics in the annual summary reflect proposal plans only—not actual construction activity.

The report focuses on residential and nonresidential proposals, the amount of acreage proposed for development, and zoning text and map amendments.