The March 4 agenda for Whitemarsh Township’s zoning hearing board includes an application from W. B. Homes to develop the property at 488 Bethlehem Pike in Fort Washington.
The proposal calls for 17 townhouses units and the conversion of an existing home into two apartments. You can review the application here (starting at pg. 83).
The property has been the longtime home of the Marano Gardens, a specialty garden center.
The variances sought would allow for a longer building length, permit a smaller front yard for one unit, and a allow a reduction of the required setback on the boundary with the Riparian Corridor Conservation Overlay District.
The requested relief is outlined below:
- Variance from Section 116-291.B.(3) to allow a maximum building length of 130
feet whereas a maximum of 120 feet is allowed. - Variance from Section 116-295. to allow a front yard of 4.5 feet for the existing
home and 30.25 feet for townhouse unit #17, whereas this section requires a
minimum of 40% and a maximum of 80% of the building façade to be 10 feet from
the ultimate right-of-way, with the remaining façade setback further. This
requirement applies to sites between 2 and 5 acres (the Property is 3.21 acres). - Variance from Section 116-259.A. to allow a setback of 7 feet from the boundary
of the Riparian Corridor Conservation Overlay District whereas a minimum of onehalf of the applicable setback distance is required (rear yard setback in this case)
The hearing is scheduled for 6:30pm on Wednesday at the township building.
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Image – Rendering from W.B. Homes