Maple Glen Triangle Zoning Change Approved

HORSHAM TOWNSHIP, PA —Despite the protests, pleas, and comments from 11 residents Wednesday night, Horsham Township Council unanimously approved a zoning change for townhome development in the Maple Glen Triangle.

The new commercial transition zoning would allow for townhomes to be built on 14.5 acres that were zoned for single-family housing. Ten acres of that land would be protected and replanted since several trees were destroyed or damaged by a September 2021 tornado that swept through the area.

The zoning change is for a tract behind Key Bank along the intersection of Norristown and Welsh roads, which is called the Maple Glen Triangle for the congestion it causes for residents and motorists of Horsham and Upper Dublin townships.

"The traffic is out of control," resident Rick Hogan said. "I'm all for building, but this is a joke. This is absolute greed by the developer."

Developers Bruce Goodman and Sal, Dominic, and Sam Paone of Paone Builders have modified plans since the project was first presented in June 2022.

The developers would improve the intersection, adding a left-turn lane onto Welsh, a through lane, a right-turn lane onto Welsh Road, and an emergency access road.

Those improvements, representatives said, should ease the Norristown Road gridlock during peak drive times.

One resident said that the Maple Glen Triangle is not built for this sort of townhome development. And that with the potential of more townhomes on the other side of the Triangle in Upper Dublin Township, the woman wondered why the township was "doubling down on that."

She added that the township was trying to replicate North Philadelphia, where she lived before moving to Horsham 30 years ago.

Resident Rob Moses said he was "very concerned" about the "traffic and the ambiance and the crowded nature" of the township.

Another woman pleaded with the township to think of its residents first.

"I've lived here since 1986 and have raised four kids here," she said to the applause of 25 people in the audience. "I want to stay. I don't want to feel like I'm being pushed out. You have to have a heart for us. We don't need 53 townhomes. We need a lifestyle. Please consider our opinions."

After hearing the comments, the council voted.

Council Vice President William Whiteside made the motion, which was seconded by Councilman Sean Wade. The five supervisors voted unanimously on the zoning change without discussion.

One resident, upon leaving after the meeting, shouted at the council, calling the vote an "absolute joke" and a "disgrace." "You listened to everyone and you still voted yes."