At the last B&P meeting up popped irate neighbors about the McMonstrosity being built at 119 Old Gulph Road. Some neighbors in particular were quite scathing about the abilities of township staff and the township in general. In essence, one neighbor (powerful Philadelphia attorney in his own right) said they weren't doing their jobs and no one in the township holds them accountable. It was amazing to watch, and to watch commissioners squirm as well. Well this property is coming back August 6th and people should watch and see how it is dealt with. I for one hope the neighbors prevail. This new construction is perhaps the ugliest Garage Mahal to date, and neighbors are claiming that the construction company has wrecked public streets and in essence, illegally cut down trees:

Building & Planning Committee (Special)
Date: 8/6/2008 6:59 PM
Location: Township Administration Bldg - 2nd Floor Board Room
75 East Lancaster Ave
Ardmore, Pennsylvania 19003-2323

VIOLATION OF A CONDITION OF APPROVAL AT 119 OLD GULPH ROAD, WYNNEWOOD

The contractor building a new single family dwelling at this site violated the following condition of approval by removing the 13” Pine, the 21” Pine and the 27” Ash which were required to be preserved.

The applicant shall preserve the 13”, 26”, 22” and 21” Pines and the 27” Ash near the deed restricted area.

The Committee must establish a replacement tree schedule as a result of this violation. Staff recommends the Committee require the applicant to provide 24, 2.5” caliper replacement trees.

(Staff will be reviewing the penalty provisions in the Township Code with the Township Solicitor prior to the August 6 meeting which may result in a modified staff recommendation.)

Here is some interesting background on the land parcel courtesy of www.montcopa.org:

TaxMapID 40006E118
Parid 40-00-43772-01-8
Land Use Code 2107
Land Use Description R - RES VAC LAND 60001-87120 SQ FT
Property Location 119 OLD GULPH RD
Lot # 2
Lot Size 62947 SF
Zoning R1
Front Feet 20
Municipality LOWER MERION
School District LOWER MERION
Utilities ALL PUBLIC//

Owner
Name(s) OLD GULPH ROAD DEVELOPERS LP

Name(s)
Care Of DAVID ERB CONTRACTORS
Mailing Address 2930 FELTON RD
Mailing Address
Mailing Address NORRISTOWN PA 19401

Last Sale
Sale Date 28-JUL-04
Sale Price $1,750,000
Tax Stamps
Deed Book and Page 5534-02613
Grantor ONEILL J BRIAN & MIRIAM P
Grantee OLD GULPH ROAD DEVELOPERS LP

Now...the neighbors doing the complaining usually grace the local society pages, not the township building....so we'll see if they get treated any differently...but you know what? These pre-existing residents have property rights too. And things like expectation of quiet enjoyment, etc, etc. Maybe if neighbors like this kick up a fuss, Lower Merion will see the folly in their pro-development ways? (We can only hope)