Has Narberth become too expensive? | Inquirer Lower Merion
Plus, PopUp Bagels is opening in Ardmore tomorrow.
Hi, Lower Merion! 👋
Narberth council will soon consider zoning changes aimed at adding more affordable housing. Here’s what to know. Also this week, two men have been arrested for running a fraudulent contracting business, two Montgomery County Intermediate Unit leaders have used public funds for international travel, plus PopUp Bagels is opening tomorrow in Ardmore.
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In an effort to bring more affordable housing to Narberth, one of the most expensive housing markets in Montgomery County, borough council will consider a few zoning changes in May that have been drafted by the planning commission.
One change would ease parking requirements for multifamily developments in a ring around the downtown core, so long as the building participates in SEPTA’s residential pass program. Parking requirements could also be reduced for a strip along Montgomery Avenue. Rather than having one parking spot per unit in a multifamily development, developers could have 0.7 spots per unit.
Another change includes allowing developers to build an additional floor in both of these areas if they commit at least 10% of multifamily units as affordable housing.
Read more about the proposed changes and what they could mean for Narberth.
💡 Community News
Two men who allegedly operated a fraudulent contracting company in Lower Merion were arrested last week. Jake Fox, 37, and Scott Bradley, 34, originally believed to be born in Europe as Patrick and Johnny Joseph Quinn, face multiple charges for receiving advanced payments for work they didn’t complete and violating the state’s racketeering statute. They’re scheduled for a preliminary hearing next week.
Lower Merion commissioners voted 8-3 last week to formally receive alternative design plans for Schauffele Plaza and a nearby lot in Ardmore. The motion doesn’t mean redevelopment will happen or that a specific design has been selected. There are currently two proposed designs, aimed at adding more green space, which you can see here.
Two leaders within the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit used public funds to book about $40,000 worth of professional-development travel to three continents, an Inquirer investigation found. Executive Director Regina Speaker and Assistant Executive Director Sandra Edling used about $18,000 of that to take a 14-day African safari. Speaker also used her work credit card to book flights to South Korea and Singapore, trips that she told The Inquirer’s William Bender were approved by the board and for professional development. The use of public funds calls into question how forthcoming Speaker was about the trips and the level of oversight provided by the board.
Bala Cynwyd apartment complex Blayr officially opened this week. Located at 145 E. City Ave., the 217-unit complex offers studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom residences, an outdoor pool, a golf and multi-sport simulator, a fitness center, and a pet spa. Rents range from $2,000 to $4,500 a month.
With winter nearly in the rearview (though with this week’s temperatures, you’d be hard pressed to know it), area residents recently shared how much it cost them to heat their homes during an unusually cold season. While heating bills were up about $100 nationwide from the year prior, Ardmore resident Sean Seidell said his bill was about on par with last year’s, adding that solar panels helped offset some of the costs.
A new gaming and toy shop soft-opened earlier this week in Ardmore. R3 Gaming and Toys is located at 6 W. Lancaster Ave. and offers a mix of collectors items, toys, board games, puzzles, and graphic novels.
Men’s and women’s activewear brand Rhone opened last week at Ardmore’s Suburban Square. It’s located in the ground floor retail space of new apartment complex Coulter Place and joins New Balance, Sugared + Bronzed, and Skin Laundry.
🏫 Schools Briefing
There’s a school board finance committee meeting today. Schools are closed tomorrow for Eid al-Fitr. On Tuesday, Gladwyne Elementary is hosting its “Cultural Heritage Night.” See the district’s full calendar here.
The school district is hosting a community discussion on Monday about device usage in schools. The conversation, taking place from 6 to 8 p.m. at Harriton High School, will be led by Superintendent Frank Ranelli.
Lower Merion High School senior Alex Mazzeo captured the state title in the 3,000-meter run at the Indoor State Track & Field Championships held earlier this month.
Friends’ Central alum Julian Shapiro-Barnum is one of the digital influencers helping reshape the talk show format, according to Vanity Fair in a recent profile of 10 up-and-coming hosts. The 2017 grad hosts online talk show Recess Theory, which has over 1.3 million subscribers on YouTube. Next up, he’s launching a live show from the streets of New York called Outside Tonight.
🍽️ On our Plate
TikTok-famous PopUp Bagels is opening its first area store tomorrow in Suburban Square. PopUp is known for its sets of three, six, or 12 bagels that customers “grip, rip, and dip” into a rotating selection of schmears. The Ardmore location will have opening festivities from 8 to 11 a.m.
That’s not the only new eatery coming to Ardmore. Raffs Fine Italian Cuisine is planning a location at 65 Cricket Ave. An opening date hasn’t been announced yet.
The Buttery in Malvern is launching dinner service for the first time, starting April 9, and will serve Neapolitan pizzas, seasonal salads, and shareable plates.
🎳 Things to Do
🕺🏼 Spring Barn Dance: Bid farewell to the Snider Barn at Riverbend before it undergoes renovations. The event includes music, a caller, and refreshments. ⏰ Friday, March 20, 6:30-9 p.m. 💵 $28.52 📍Riverbend Environmental Education Center
✡️ Passover Crafternoon: Kids can create a Passover-inspired craft at this drop-in event. ⏰ Wednesday, March 25, 3-5 p.m. 💵 Free 📍Gladwyne Library
🎥 Film Premiere and Live Concert: Lower Merion native Noah Schoenberg will make his directorial debut with a short film, followed by a live concert from township native and singer/songwriter Charlotte Morris. ⏰ Wednesday, March 25, 6-8 p.m. 💵 $18 📍Bryn Mawr Film Institute
🏡 On the Market
Built in 1955, this Penn Valley home has been updated over the years to give it a classic, but modern look. The home features a great room with a stone fireplace, a dining room, a family room with a bar area, and the kitchen, which has a large island, stainless steel appliances, and quartz countertops. There are five bedrooms upstairs, including a primary suite with a walk-in closet. Downstairs, there is another family room with a fireplace, as well as an office. The home also has a covered front porch and a covered back patio. There are open houses this evening and tomorrow from 5 to 6 p.m.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $2.1M | Size: 5,757 SF | Acreage: 0.69
🗞️ What other Lower Merion residents are reading this week:
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