Proposed Apartment Complex Draws Scrutiny From Havertown Residents

HAVERTOWN, PA — A proposed apartment development in Havertown drew concerns from residents about traffic and possible impacts on neighboring homes.

The developer, GK Property Holdings, wants to construct a 10-unit apartment building on Eagle Road, near West Chester Pike.

The property contains a house. But GK also wants the development to extend into a parcel next door that isn't zoned for housing.

GK has agreements in place to purchase both adjoining properties, according to township officials.

A public hearing on the proposed rezoning of that land was held during Monday's Haverford Township Board of Commissioners meeting.

Proposed Building

Under the plan, a 10-unit apartment building with a parking lot would be constructed at 24 S Eagle Rd.

The number of proposed parking spaces is expected to decrease from 20 to 17, said H. Fintan McHugh, the developer's attorney.

The development would contain two plots of land. One is a nearly half-acre parcel that contains a house in a residential zone.

The second parcel is a tenth of an acre that's zoned for office use but doesn't contain a building. It is sandwiched between the residential property and the rear of PrimoHoagies.

Purpose Of Monday's Hearing

Since the proposed development is split into two zones with different uses, GK has requested for the "office" parcel to be rezoned for housing.

The township Planning Commission recommended that the developer request that change from the township commissioners, McHugh said.

"We believe that the apartment use is a suitable transition between the commercial uses along West Chester Pike and along Eagle Road, and the garden apartments that are currently existing to the south on other (residential) zoned properties," McHugh said.

Monday's hearing centered around the requested zoning change — not whether township officials approve the development.

Local Concerns

Three residents expressed concerns about traffic and potential nuisance.

Residents with adjoining backyards noted that the Haverford Arms apartment complex is next to the proposed development.

"Eagle Road is not designed to support the volume of traffic generated by another apartment complex," one resident said.

The building is expected to house 10 to 20 residents. It would add about five more drivers on Eagle Road in the morning and evening, according to a preliminary study conducted last year by the developer's traffic expert.

McHugh says their traffic expert will conduct a full study — something Commissioner Sheryl Forste-Grupp (2nd Ward) says will be necessary for a new apartment complex.

"Ideally they’ll all take public transit and ride that bus," Forste-Grupp said. "But we have to be accurate given how busy that intersection is."

Next Steps

The Board of Commissioners will consider an ordinance to rezone the office parcel for residential use. The ordinance will need two readings, with the first set to take place during the commissioners meeting at 7 p.m. April 13.

GK must then submit an application detailing the development, which will require approval from the Planning Commission and Zoning Board.

If both governing bodies approve the development, it would go back to the commissioners for final approval.

Watch the full hearing below: