Politics & Government
Developer Presents Plans for 66-Unit Senior Apartment Building on Ridge Pike
Proposed for 1.9-acre lot across from Whitemarsh Shopping Center.
A developer has presented plans for a three-story, 66-unit senior apartment building on a 1.9-acre property along Ridge Pike.
Roizman Development, represented by attorney Mark Jonas, presented plans for the "Whitemarsh Villas" apartment building to the Whitemarsh Board of Supervisors Thursday night, as a courtesy before the proposal is officially considered at a Zoning Hearing Board meeting next month.
Jonas reviewed the history of the property, which he says has become an eye sore for the community after prior development plans fell through, and would now require ten separate code variances.
"The property is quite a complicated property, and it has remained undeveloped for over ten years," Jonas said. "This is a property where we think something really should be done."
Jonas said that the site was originally approved for an office building in 1999, but that it was never constructed. Then, in 2004, a different proposal for a 42-unit, age-restricted apartment building was ultimately approved after the township appealed a Zoning Hearing Board decision because of traffic signal concerns.
While Jonas said he did not know why that property was never constructed, he said that the current proposal is similar in nature, but only requires ten variances instead of the previously approved twelve and is equal to or less burdensome in almost all respects.
The building is proposed at three stories, or 38.3 feet in height, with 66 one or two-bedroom units housing a maximum of 96 residents. The facility would have 62 parking spaces and be located at 29-31 Ridge Pike, directly across from the Whitemarsh Shopping Center entranceway. Jonas said the building would be billed as an affordable option for senior citizens, with a minimum age requirement of 62 for the building's $980-$1,100 units.
Representatives also stated that the building would need various setback, parking, and impervious surface variances, in addition to the property being split-zoned residential and commercial. One variance included a 38-foot setback from a residential property line, where 50 feet is required. In addition, representatives predicted that many of the apartment's residents would not have automobiles, and estimated that the facility would add eight trips during morning rush hours and ten trips in the evening.
While the Supervisors officially remained neutral on the proposal, as is their tradition, several did have positive comments.
"I do agree that [the site] is a lot more of a safety risk than I'd ever realized--how much of a hole is still sitting there," said Supervisor Amy Grossman. " I do believe that the opportunity to have affordable housing in a community such as Whitemarsh is a wonderful option to our residents."
Supervisor chairman Bob Hart agreed, although he did say that the township is always concerned with storm water management when it comes to new development proposals.
"To be frank, this site looks like hell today," Hart said. "Anybody that goes by knows that. But it has a lot of potential."
Supervisor Cathy Peduzzi, liaison to the Zoning Hearing Board, concluded the supervisors' input by saying she looked forward to seeing the proposal appear before the ZHB, but hinted that she might want to see what a smaller-size apartment building would look like.
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