Plans for Martin Tract could get final OK next week

27-unit development could get final approval on Sept. 24

A final vote could come next week on a project adding more than two dozen new houses in Upper Gwynedd.

Township planning and zoning officer E. Van Rieker gave an update Tuesday night on the latest plans for “Gwynedd Ridge,” a project to develop a new community on land known as the Martin Tract.

“You had previously conferred preliminary approval to this 27-lot plan, of single family lots — you know all about it,” Rieker said.

“It’s at Allentown Road and roughly Green Street, up in that area, and will include a new traffic signal,” he said.

The new traffic signal will be added where a newly created private street will exit onto Allentown Road at the existing Oxford Circle, and the developer behind the project has already performed the traffic study to do so. The plans have been discussed since late 2016, with several waiver requests granted back in April.

When the applicant sought preliminary plan approval, discussions focused heavily on the sidewalks and trail connections that would run through the development and into the adjacent Whites Road Park, which is located on territory in Upper Gwynedd but owned and maintained by Lansdale. After two lengthy public meetings to discuss the plans in April, the township commissioners approved several waiver requests, and granted preliminary land development approval.

Since then, Rieker told the board Sept. 18, the township’s internal planning and zoning committee have reviewed and signed off on the plans, with only the final review township consultants left to finish before the board’s business meeting on Sept. 24.

“it’s in the hands of the engineer and the solicitor’s office to, in effect, advise you tonight, whether they think it’s ready for consideration next week,” Rieker said.

Engineer Russ Benner said his office is still finalizing its final review letter, but see no major obstacles.

“We’ll have the letter finalized tomorrow, but all the engineering issues are addressed,” he said.

Soliitor Dave Onorato said the formal resolution spelling out the approvals for the project was on hold pending the letter from the engineer, and will be finished shortly after he receives that from Benner.

“Once I get the letter from Russ’s office, I can do the resolution, tomorrow or Thursday, and have it ready for you for Monday,” he said.

A team of consultants attended the board’s workshop meeting Tuesday night to address questions on the project, but were asked none. Rieker and board President Ken Krobeger said they should be prepared to make a short presentation during the board action meeting, and will likely be near the top of that night’s agenda.

Upper Gwynedd’s commissioners next meet at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 24 at the township administration building, 1 Parkside Place.