Plans for a proposed five-story, 205 unit apartment community off of South Broad Street took a step forward on Wednesday night, as the Lansdale Borough Code Enforcement Committee recommended that borough council grant approval for preliminary and final land development at its business meeting later this month.
The project, dubbed ‘Luxor Lansdale,’ would occupy a three-acre parcel off of South Broad Street and behind the Lansdale Freight House, a portion of which was formerly the site of the old Lansdale Finishers plant. According to Joe Clement, who represented Westrum Development at Wednesday night’s committee meeting, nearly 90-percent of the 205 units would be one-bedroom or studio apartments, with the other 10-percent consisting of two-bedroom units.
Clement said the apartment community would appeal to millennials and empty-nesters seeking amenity-rich housing in close proximity to public transit. Those amenities include everything from a proposed BYOB lobby bar and gaming area to a fitness center, dog park and yoga studio.
As part of the land development for the project, Clement said the developers would need to relocate a portion of the stream that currently runs through the parcel. Additionally, a lengthy section of the existing sanitary sewer main would also need to be replaced.
On the parking and traffic side, the project would feature 140 spaces in an underground garage, along with 147 spaces on the surface of the parcel. Access to the apartment community would come via two driveways—one off of Blaine Street and another via the freight house—which would then connect to a "paper street” named Williams Place that would run behind the current buildings on South Broad Street.
In total, the project would represent a $35 million to $40 million investment into the borough.
As the parcel has well-known environmental issues stemming from its time with the Lansdale Finishers plant, developers have approached North Penn School District for its support of a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) ordinance, which would serve as a tax abatement for rehabilitating a distressed property. Developers have also previously argued that due to their projected residents being young and single, they would pose less of a burden on local schools.
Lansdale Borough Council President Denton Burnell said the developers are expected to come before council next year for its support
of the LERTA abatement. In the interim, if preliminary and final land development approval is granted this month, Westrum would be able to begin site remediation and demolition
while finalizing construction drawings and applying for building
permits. Burnell added that, at Westrum's discretion, they may delay doing so while applying for LERTA relief.
Council will vote on the preliminary and final land development approval at the next business meeting, scheduled for Dec. 18 at 7 p.m.
See also:
Planning Commission Gets First Look At 'Luxor Lansdale'
Hindu Temple Receives Approval To Occupy Former Church Location In Lansdale
Plans Unveiled For Inclusive Whites Road Park Playground
Lansdale 2020 Budget Proposal Includes 1/4-Mil Real Estate Tax Increase
Six-Story Apartment Complex At Third And Walnut Granted Conditional Use Approval
