'South Ardmore Residential Historic District' Makes Its Preservation Case

ARDMORE, PA -- A historic preservation advocacy group in Ardmore is hoping to protect remnants of some of the area's cultural heritage in face of incoming development by creating a new district.

The proposed South Ardmore Residential Historic District was lobbied for at the Lower Merion Board of Commissioners meeting on Wednesday night.

The district would include the "unique and historic" residential neighborhood in South Ardmore which the Lower Merion Conservancy says dates to the late nineteenth century.

With a historic district designation, this neighborhood would be protected from what the Conservancy terms "insensitive" development and demolition threats.

Advocates say it would also empower local property owners to manage proposed changed to the character of the neighborhood.

The Conservancy says such a designation is in keeping with Lower Merion's Comprehensive Plan, which encourages traditional residential areas to be preserved.

Among those who spoke on behalf of the proposal Wednesday night was board member Jean Wolf.

A series of developments have been approved in the Ardmore area in recent months to great controversy.