36 Apartments, Retail Planned For CVS Property In Hatboro

HATBORO, PA —Plans to develop the first property under the borough's new Town Center Ordinance have been unveiled.

Before a packed house in the council chambers of the Loller Academy last week, developers 24-28 South York Road Associates, LP, presented the Hatboro Planning Commission with plans to develop the long-dormant CVS property on South York Road.

In a meeting that lasted more than two hours, developers proposed a four-story building consisting of 36 apartments with retail space on the first floor with a high ceiling that could attract a restaurant.

The "high-end, professional" apartments would include 19 one-bedroom units, 14 two-bedroom units, and three, three-bedroom units. Developers did not provide the costs of the apartments at the meeting.

The artist's rendering presented to the commission and residents show a sleek, modern building featuring numerous double windows, lots of glass, two ADA-accessible entrances, landscaping of shrubs and trees, lighting, a bike rack, and a seating area with a bench.

As part of the plan, the developer will offer six electric vehicle charging parking spaces.

While planning commission chairman Kris McMenamin said the project is expected to provide about 76 parking spaces, residents expressed concern that most of them would be used by apartment dwellers and that the electric charging stations would also take away public spaces.

The commission and developer are expected to finalize parking details at the September meeting.

Architect Vincent Mancini said he designed the building with a brick facade that's easy to maintain and a "welcoming presence."

He said the second floor will feature a two-foot overhang and black panels around the windows with the fourth floor set back 10 feet and featuring white panels.

This is the first property up for development under the borough's new mixed-use ordinance.

In late January, the Hatboro Borough Council approved a mixed-use ordinance for a section of York Road after a public hearing of 50 people.

The ordinance allows developers to make proposals that could see building heights go to 60 feet provided they meet certain guidelines, meaning that the downtown district could have taller buildings and apartments.

The option allows for buildings along York Road —from Byberry Road to Montgomery Avenue —to be taller than the current 35 feet allowed.

The developer was able to achieve three bonuses, including providing electric charging stations, to be able to have four stories.

Resident Kelly A'Harrah told the commission that she wanted to see the developer offer more since the bonuses seemed easy for the developer to achieve.

A'Harrah said the developer "met the letter of the law" with the bonuses.

"I ask you to improve upon them," she said, adding that the seating area should be enlarged since "one bench and one bike rack is not sufficient." She also wanted improved landscaping of a passageway where residents and the public would walk.

The project, if approved by the planning commission, will then go before the Borough Council for final approval. Developers are expected to return for the planning commission's September meeting, meaning that if the project gets the green light, it could be before the council in October.

(Photo by Dino Ciliberti/Patch) The Hatboro Planning Commission heard plans last week to develop the long-dormant CVS property on South York Road.