Retail and Residential Development Planned in Bryn Mawr

A retail and residential redevelopment is being planned for parcels at Lancaster Avenue and Roberts Road, Bryn Mawr Civic Association members were told at Monday night's meeting.

Rudy Celli of Celli & Associates and Mike McShane of Patriot Equities visited the meeting to describe what they're envisioning for 1112 Lancaster Ave., 20 S. Roberts Road and 24 S. Roberts Road.

The developers would raze the three-story building on Lancaster Avenue and erect another three-story building, with retail space for lease on the ground floor and eight apartments above.

Later on, the plan is to build, and market for sale, four homes in two "twin" residential buildings on the Roberts Road parcels, Celli said. A parking lot behind the commercial and residential buildings would be accessible from Lancaster Avenue.

Celli said the development plan has been revised several times in consultation with township officials and that the hope is to begin construction in the fall.

Township building and planning director Bob Duncan said the proposed uses are permitted by right; the applicants would still need land-development approval from the Board of Commissioners before starting construction.

Residents at the civic association meeting told the developers they would want construction to not disrupt Roberts Road parking and for the finished parking-space allotment to be sufficient for the anticipated traffic.

Bryn Mawr residents typically pay close attention to proposed changes in their neighborhood, where they have witnessed several commercial buildings going vacant and clashed with college students over nightlife-related behavior.

What do you think of this development plan so far? What questions do you have? Please tell us in the comments section below.