What Do Proposed Apartments Offer Our Community?

We've all heard the adage, "change is inevitable." Just take a look around, things are "changing" every day. It's easy to blame change for failed relationships or job loss, perhaps even the death of a loved one. The mere mention of the word often evokes some sort of emotion — no doubt, change is often a bitter pill to swallow.

But let's face it, change is one of life's only constants. Make no mistake,  I'm willing to accept change, just as long as it isn't change for the sake of change. If it will result in a better way of doing things, you know for the sake of progress, then I'm all for it. 

When I made Lower Moreland my home 18 years ago, I was looking for change. Having grown up in the city, attending 12 years of Catholic school, then four more years at Temple University, I was ready to trade in the hustle and bustle of city life for the serenity of the suburbs. My husband and I started living our own American dream, we had taken on a larger mortgage to buy our first single house on a tree-lined street in a quiet community. Best of all, we were getting a top-rated public school district, too.  Our first son had just turned one when we packed our bags and headed to Lower Moreland. And, we never looked back. 

There's no mistaking that the Lower Moreland community has changed a lot over the years. We've seen our once-quiet streets turn into traffic jams (especially along Philmont Avenue at rush hour), we've watched our schools burst at the seams...prompting an addition to Pine Road Elementary School, not once but twice. And, I'm sure I don't speak for myself, when I say my taxes have nearly tripled in the time I've been a resident. Yet, I've never complained...until now. 

Each day, I watch as strangers walk up and down Philmont Avenue making their way to the methadone clinic, which made its way into our community last year. Suddenly, the police log reports more drug possession charges, DUIs, vandalism and theft since this establishment forced its way into our town. I guess, it could be coincidental. Right? 

Now, we face another substantial change in our Lower Moreland bubble. The proposal for a 284-unit apartment complex right in the middle of already-congested Philmont Avenue is yet another smack in the face for our tiny town. What more can we take? Already, during certain times of the day it takes 20 minutes to make a mile trek up Philmont Avenue. 

The one constant about Lower Moreland is the strength of its residents. They aren't afraid to roll up their sleeves and get involved in their community. They want to protect the sanctity of their hometown and they surely want their voices to be heard. 

When the Greenhill Group presented its project to the Planning Commission last week, residents packed the township meeting room and spilled over into the halls and adjoining room. The rain didn't keep them from coming out to voice their concerns. Trouble is, many more residents didn't even know that the dense apartment complex project was being proposed. Lack of communication is perhaps one of the biggest challenges that this community faces. Law requires that residents within 500 feet of a proposed variance be notified. Maybe that law is a bit antiquated? After all, the effect of having such a large development is far-reaching. We are a small town and any change is sure to affect everyone. 

If it had not been for Lower Moreland Patch, Facebook and the diligence of a group of neighbors who walked door to door distributing fliers to notify residents of the date and time of the meeting, many would not have been made aware of such a huge proposal. These residents, whom I am proud to call my neighbors, have lived here far longer than me and have survived many changes, but it's even getting too much for them to accept. What is even more disappointing than the lack of communication is the lack of respect with which some of our residents were treated during the Planning Commission meeting. While the majority of the members sat back, listened and displayed appropriate body language, one member (whom I will respect and not name) publicly scolded a taxpayer whom had spoken out of turn. Truth is, the resident should have refrained from asking questions until the appropriate time. In his defense, the procedures for public comment were not publicly displayed and if they had been announced it was too crowded to hear and many residents weren't actually in the room. As if it weren't enough to tell him to "keep your mouth shut or get out of the room," he went on to seek police backup and as he entered a side room packed with residents made derogatory comments about the residents. Completely unacceptable, in my opinion. 

There's no question that the Philmont corridor isn't the most attractive place in the world. That's the top reason the township commissioners have tirelessly worked for years on the Revitalization project, which calls for mixed use on that particular site. So, I'm not buying the developer's claim that retail stores aren't interested in coming into our community. Really? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the developer is in it for the money not for the good of our community. The burden on our schools will be much greater than their studies stated. Let's face it, that's why they are attracted to our town – our schools are far more appealing than some of our surrounding districts. We weren't born yesterday. 

Bottom line is Lower Moreland doesn't stand to benefit from this project as it was presented. While it is important to welcome change that leads to progress, it is equally important to fight change that hinders a community. I implore our township commissioners to make their decisions in the best interest of the residents. Listen carefully, respect the taxpayers and communicate more effectively. Your community will thank you! 

(The project will be presented to the Lower Moreland Township Commissioners on Tuesday, February 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room, located above the Huntingdon Valley Library.)

[Editor's note: Dina Siravo-McCaffery is a contributor to Lower Moreland Patch]