April Update:
On April 19, 2010, the Congregation Beth Yeshua filed
an appeal from the Marple Zoning Hearing Board's application for a use variance to build a 55,000+ sq. ft. building on
the site of the former Gamma Swim Club. The property is currently zoned residential. The appeal was filed
in the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County. The Congregation requests that the ZHB file a more detailed explanation of
the basis for its decision and asks the Court to overturn the ZHB's decision and grant the variances which it requested
in its original application.
On March 17, 2010 the zoning board DENIED (4-1 vote) the
Congregation's effort to change the zoning so that they could construct a 55,000 sq. foot facility in a residential area.
At this point, the Congregation may appeal this decision or sell the property. Please visit this site for any updates.
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Congregation Beth Yeshua of Philadelphia purchased
this property (through a straw buyer) and appeared before the zoning board in an effort to change the current residential
zoning to allow the construction of a 55,000 square foot building. The new facility
would contain a gym, banquet facility, day care and day camp, a school and 161 parking spaces - in addition to an area used
for religious liturgy. This facility will operate 12 months/year, 7 days/week to accommodate evening services and concerts.
There are currently 400 congregants with plans to grow. *
If the congregation’s plan succeeds, it will create
major traffic issues with significant negative impact on West Chester Pike, N. Sproul Rd., N. New Ardmore Ave., Anthony
Ave., Mather Ave., Gamma Lane, Thomas Ave. etc. It will also create problems with the ingress and egress on Gamma
Lane, stormwater management, impervious coverage on the property and possibly set a precedent for other areas of the township.
On Wednesday, February 17th, the zoning board
heard final testimony and closing statements. They now have 45 days in which to accept or reject the congregation’s
challenge. If rejected, the congregation would have the right to appeal the board’s
decision. The decision will be posted on my website.
