Gladwyne Subdivision Plan Recommended by Lower Merion Building and Planning Committee

A preliminary subdivision plan in Gladwyne received the recommendation of the Lower Merion Board of Commissioners Building and Planning Committee on Wednesday night.

The committee voted unanimously to recommend that the full board approve the preliminary plan, which calls for the subdivision of a 1.6-acre lot at 440 Conshohocken State Road into two new lots, each of which will measure .6 acres; and the construction of two, new single-family homes.

Two existing homes would be demolished to make room for the two new houses, said Chris Leswing, the township’s assistant director of building and planning.

The first new home will have a 3,353-square foot footprint on Lot 1, and the second new house will have a 3,535-square foot footprint on Lot 2, according to the description of the proposal which was provided as part of the meeting agenda.

Leswing said both homes will have driveway access to Gladwyne Drive rather than Conshohocken State Road.

Lewswing said neighboring residents had expressed concerns about the plan but the applicant and the township has addressed those concerns.

Neighbors were concerned that existing vegetation, which created a “buffer,” is being removed from the property, Leswing said.

To address this concern, the applicant submitted a revised landscape plan which will screen the development from the neighbors, Leswing said.

Neighbors are also concerned about noise and dust during construction, Leswing said.  Those concerns have been addressed by the conditions for approval, Leswing said.

A resident of Gladwyne Drive who attended the committee meeting said the houses which are proposed for the development are much larger than the existing homes in the neighborhood and are not compatible with the existing construction.