News

Current / Active Applications – Zoning and Land Development Updates

There have been several applications and/or projects that have recently been presented to Jenkintown Borough. Please find the information below as a summary of the current proposed projects that have active applications before the Borough and the next opportunities for public input. The applications and site plans are available on the Borough Website here https://jenkintownboro.com/zoning-and-land-development-applications/ 

  • Roizman Development Inc./Summit House Associates 2018 LLC – 610 Summit Avenue, Jenkintown, Pa 19046. On May 23rd, 2018, Borough Council conditionally approved the age restricted, four stories, 74-unit apartment building at 610 Summit Avenue. Jenkintown Borough Council approved the apartment building use with the following conditions; 20% of this first floor of the building along the street frontage must be walk in retail not associated with the operation of the residential portion of the building, a deed restriction must be placed on the property to restrict the apartment to individuals 62 and older as permitted by the “Housing for Older Persons Exemption” under the Fair House Act, applicant must comply to and one to one parking ratio based on the number of units on the approved plan, comply with all conditions set forth in the March 28th 2018 letter from the attorney for Dr. Steven Moriconi, comply with all conditions set forth in the April 20th Opinion and Order from the Jenkintown Borough Zoning Hearing Board, install a historical marker or plaque to commemorate the location and history of Salem Baptist Church, and finally the applicant shall not seek an exemption from any property taxes while owned by the applicant. Two residents have appealed the decision of the ZHB and the Borough has not been notified of that court date which will be held in Norristown at the time of this e-blast. The equitable property owner is still required to obtain the following approvals; Zoning, Building, Design Review Board, Shade Tree Commission, DEP/edu, PennDOT, Borough Engineer, Borough Traffic Engineer, Land Development / Borough Council, SALDO and Storm Water. At this time the most recent revised project plans have been or are under review by the  Z.H.B., Borough Council, Montgomery County Conservation District, Borough Engineer, Planning Commission, Design Review Board, Shade Tree Commission and Zoning Officer.

Next –  Jenkintown Borough Planning Commission –  (Public Meeting) Second appearance before the PC – Preliminary Subdivision / Land Development Application (SALDO)
Applicant proposes a mixed-use development consisting of a 4-story, 64 unit apartment building for senior housing with ground floor office and/or retail.

When – Tuesday, September 18th, 2018 6:30 P.M.

Where – Borough Hall, 700 Summit Avenue, Jenkintown Pa

Then – Jenkintown Borough Council – (Public Meeting) Wednesday, September 26th Consideration for Preliminary Plan Approval

  • 93 York Road / Paul Aschkenasy – 93 York Road, Jenkintown, Pa 19046. The property owner has presented a preliminary proposal to redevelop the 93 York Road site. The main tenant space has been vacant for seven years and in its current configuration the owner is not optimistic about finding a viable tenant. The owner is proposing a total upgrade to the main building with design to retain current commercial tenants as well as attract new tenants on the first floor and retrofitting the second floor for approximately 23 apartments. In addition to retrofitting the main building the owner has an opportunity to acquire a national high-profile tenant in the second building on site, reconfigure the onsite parking and drive lanes, and are also looking to install a drive thru lane at the rear of the structures for the second building. Preliminary plans were discussed at the B.Z.&R. Committee Meetings in February and May 2018 and presented before Borough Council at the May 23th meeting, requesting and receiving Council support for the proposal before the forthcoming ZHB hearing. The applicant has submitted the proposed plans and the Zoning Application. This applicant will require the following additional approvals; Zoning, Borough Council (Conditional use), Design Review Board, Shade Tree Commission, Building, DEP/edu, PennDOT, Borough Engineer, Borough Traffic Engineer, Land Development / (SALDO) Borough Council and Storm Water.

Next – Zoning Hearing Board Hearing (Public Hearing)

When – ZHB Hearing – Thursday, September 27th. 7:00 PM

 Where – 700 Summit Avenue, Borough Hall
At this time the most recent revised project plans have been reviewed by the Borough Engineer and Zoning Officer.

  • Borough Owned Property – 700/708 Summit Avenue, Jenkintown, Pa 19046. In late 2016, it was brought to the Borough’s attention that the adjacent property at 610 Summit Avenue, was being purchased by a developer who was also interested in purchasing the Borough property at 700, 704 and 708 Summit Avenue. The Borough has long desired to move the Municipal Complex out of the center of the business district to be able to place the parcels back on to the tax rolls. In May 2017 the Borough issued an R.F.I (request for information) to gauge developer interest and so that various development proposals could be reviewed. After receiving only one response, the Borough re-issued the R.F.I. (request for information), there was then two responses to the R.F.I. on the second issuance. Currently, Borough Council has entered in to an agreement with the County Re-Development Authority to explore the feasibility and implications of selling the Borough owned parcels and relocating to a different location within the Borough. A Preferred Developer has not been chosen and there have been no binding decisions made concerning the sale of the Borough owned parcels or relocation of Borough hall. Public discussions are currently being arranged by Borough Council to inform and provide available information to residents, property and business owners. The two Developers who submitted RFI’s have been given the opportunity to redact personal or proprietary information and their RFI’s will then be made public on the Borough website. Any proposed development would require the following approvals; Zoning, Building, Design Review Board, DEP/edu, PennDOT, Borough Engineer, Borough Traffic Engineer, Land Development / Borough Council, SALDO and Storm Water.

Possible Relocation of Borough Hall – the Borough was contacted about the possibility of purchasing “Homestead Hall” at 821 Homestead Road for re-use as Borough Hall. The possibility of relocating Borough Hall to an Architecturally Significant structure that is not currently on the tax rolls was appealing. The Borough commissioned a feasibility study by OTTO Architects LLC and Pennoni Associates Inc. There was a public presentation of the feasibility study by OTTO Architects LLC at the August 22nd Borough Council meeting. Discussions are ongoing and no official decisions on the purchase have been made at this time.