Lower Merion to address controversial development at Wednesday meeting

LOWER MERION Lower Merion Township will weigh several measures Wednesday to facilitate the transfer of the Cricket Avenue parking lot for the development of a large mixed-use residential tower.

Opponents of the One Ardmore Place plan - who have been picketing on street corners, writing editorial columns, and lobbying local officials for months - plan to pack the meeting to speak against the development. They argue the project would be too tall, too dense, and out of character with downtown Ardmore.

The developer, Dranoff Properties, has received the necessary planning approvals and $10.5 million in state redevelopment grants to build the eight-story tower. The design includes 121 luxury apartments, ground-level retail and restaurants, and underground parking.

Among the measures expected to be approved Wednesday are a $2 million sale of the township's parking lot to Dranoff, via the Montgomery County Redevelopment Authority; guarantees for public parking spaces; and cooperation agreements between the township, the redevelopment authority, SEPTA, and the developer.

The meeting is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. Wednesday at the township building, 75 E. Lancaster Ave., in the second floor board room. - Jessica Parks