Apex Padel Club is seeking zoning relief to open at 1300 Virginia Drive in Fort Washington (Upper Dublin Township).

According to the agenda, the indoor club would feature four padel courts and four pickleball courts, a small lounge, and a shower area. A hearing was scheduled for Monday, April 27 at the township building.

The club is proposing a new building in a portion of a parking lot that serves two office buildings (1300 and 1301 Virginia Drive). In the zoning application, the parking lot is stated to be only 35% occupied on average. Peak times for the club and the office buildings are stated not to overlap.

While a padel facility is permitted within the zoning district, the reduction in available parking requires zoning relief. Variances are also sought for impervious coverage and setbacks. The property is zoned GFW- Greater Fort Washington.

The specific relief sought is as follows:

• Variances for parking from Section 255-136 to authorize shared parking between 1300 and 1301 Virginia Drive and from Section 255-136.C to allow for a 25% reduction in the parking required.
  • If that variance is not granted, the applicant requests a variance from Section 255-135.C(5)(a) to allow for 313 parking spaces at 1301 Virginia where 416 spaces is required and a variance from section 255-294.D to allow 279 spaces at 1300 Virginia Drive where 437 spaces is required.
• The applicant is also requesting dimensional variances from Section 255-293.B(2) to allow 70.13% impervious coverage where the maximum allowed is 60%, from Section 255-294.A(2) to allow legally nonconforming off-street parking on 1301 Virginia to become part of 1300 Virginia, a variance from Section 255-294.A(3) to allow for a 0 foot side yard setback for off-street parking between 1300 and 1301 Virginia Drive and from Section 255-293.A(3)(a) to allow for a front yard setback of 49.33 feet from Susquehanna Road, where the minimum allowed is 60 feet.
• In addition, the Applicant requests any other relief and/or approvals determined to be necessary to afford the requested relief and allow the proposed development.

For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.