Well lookee here on www.lowermerion.org for the next Zoning Hearing Board Thursday, May 10, 2007, at 7:15 p.m:

Appeal No. 4089

Applicant: SW Land Associates, LLC
Property: 130 Cricket Avenue and 24½ School Lane, Ardmore, PA 19003
(Election District #4). R 6A Residence District

The applicant proposes to consolidate the rear portion of 24½ School Lane with 130 Cricket Avenue, demolish the dwelling and accessory building on 130 Cricket Avenue and seeks a special exception under §155-50.2 to build a three-story 37-unit subsidized apartment house (with a minimum of 18 subsidized units) with underground parking.

Appeal No. 4090

Applicant: 200 W Montgomery Ave. Ardmore, LLC
Property: 116 W Montgomery Avenue, Ardmore, PA 19003
(Election District #4). R 7 Residence District

The applicant proposes to remove two fueling islands and a portion of the canopy and gas service station building and convert to a gas/retail convenience store and construct a detached rear car wash building near the railroad bridge and seeks the following relief: 1) A special exception under §155-99 B to expand the nonconforming service station/retail use by not more that 25%, or alternatively, a variance from §155-99 C to change the nonconforming service station/retail use to a gas/retail convenience store and car wash use, 2) A variance from §155-114 D (1) to allow parking and paving in the front yard setback, 3) A variance from §155-114 D (2) to allow parking, paving and a retaining wall within the required buffer and provide a buffer area less than 20' wide. The applicant is also appealing the decision of the Zoning Officer that the proposed driveway and retaining wall are not permitted as a matter of right on steep slopes and seeks a determination that the driveway is allowed by right and that the retaining wall is not a substantial improvement and is allowed. Alternatively, the applicant seeks a variance from §155-166 D to permit the driveway and retaining wall upon slopes in excess of 25%. The applicant is also appealing the decision of the Zoning Officer that the car wash building requires three additional parking spaces and seeks a determination that only parking for the retail building must be provided. Alternatively, the applicant seeks a variance from §155-95 N to not provide the three required parking spaces for the car wash.

Let's take this one by one (and let's just say that lawyers will be earning their keep to get these projects shoved through):

1.130 Cricket Avenue and 24 1/2 School Lane will be 37 units with underground parking. These are the same 37 units that will have some "affordable units", if you count a rumored $300,000 plus per condo. as "affordable"....isn't affordable in Lower Merion supposed to be around $200,000? Is this affordable component just a way to eek in special treatment? If 18 units are "affordable" and 19 are market rate, what kind of profit margin is that? The developer SW Land Associates, LLC, lives elsewhere and the corporation address as per the Commonwealth of PA is a snazzy residential address to the west of here, so it is doubtful that this would be anything other than a profit center, correct? After all, how many condos are enough condos in Ardmore? It seems condos are like dandelions in Ardmore and who will build the better box?

37 Units is an awful lot of units.

2.116 W Montgomery Avenue, Ardmore is The Exxon Station. The Exxon Station on the corner of Montgomery Avenue and Woodside Road! A gas station is difficult enough to coexist with, but this developer is proposing to add to it a car wash and convenience store! A car wash. On Montgomery Avenue. Interesting. What's next for Ardmore, a massage parlor? This developer is listed as 200 W Montgomery Ave. Ardmore, LLC. A search on PA's searchable corporations database leads back to an address in Bethelehem, Northampton County ,PA.

HINT: Want to know who is behind an LLC? Click here, and follow the steps -put in the name.