Montgomery County · Franconia · MCPC #24-0034-001
West Broad Street School Expansion
342 W Broad Street, Franconia, PA · 17,000 sq ft non-residential, school · 23.8 acres
About this project
Souderton Area School District plans a 17,000 square foot addition to the existing West Broad Street school in Franconia Township, on a 23.8-acre site zoned institutional. The Montgomery County Planning Commission generally supports it but recommends safer pedestrian crossings at the driveway, a longer sidewalk along West Broad Street, and a crosswalk across the road to reach the trail on the property's edge.
County planning commission: Supports, with comments
Issues raised: Pedestrian safety at driveway crossing from West Broad Street, Crosswalks or raised crossings at north end of driveway circle, Sidewalk on West Broad Street not extended to property's south end, Access to trail on property edge, Crosswalk across West Broad Street for school and trail access
- Zoning
- INST
Filing history
- 2024-02-07 · MCPC #24-0034-001 · Land Dev Plan, Prelim Plan · 17,000 sq ft
County review letters
2024-02-07 · FRANC 24-0034-001r.pdf
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
The Souderton Area School District plans to add about 17,000 square feet to West Broad Street Elementary School at 342 W Broad Street in Franconia Township. The school sits on a 23.8-acre site zoned for institutional use.
According to township planning discussions, the addition would replace modular (temporary) classrooms. It is part of the district's long-range facilities plan, and the district said it does not expect more students as a result. The district also sought a variance (an exception to the rules) for an illuminated sign along West Broad Street.
The township supervisors gave conditional approval of the land development plans in April 2024. A school board news report indicates the district later awarded bids for the project. No organized opposition turned up in the sources found.
What it could mean nearby
- The county planning commission recommends safer pedestrian crossings at the school driveway and a longer sidewalk along West Broad Street.
- The county also recommends a crosswalk across West Broad Street so people can reach the trail at the edge of the property.
- The district does not expect enrollment to grow, so the addition should not add many new students or trips.
- The addition replaces modular classrooms on an existing school site, so no new homes are involved.
Where it stands
The township supervisors granted conditional preliminary/final land development approval in April 2024, and the district has since moved toward construction bidding. Next steps are meeting the approval conditions, getting building permits and building the addition.
- Apr 15, 2024 Township supervisors approved the land development plans, with conditions.
- Mar 4, 2024 Township planning commission reviewed the project; the district described it as replacing modular classrooms.
- Feb 7, 2024 Latest county planning filing; the county commission generally supported the project and suggested pedestrian safety improvements.
Want to weigh in? Residents can raise concerns with the Franconia Township Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission at their public meetings, or with the Souderton Area School Board.
Who's behind it
Souderton Area School District · The public school district that operates West Broad Street Elementary and other schools serving the Souderton area.
Around the web
- Board of Supervisors minutes, April 15, 2024Franconia Township · Apr 15, 2024Records the supervisors' conditional preliminary/final land development approval for the school expansion at 342 W Broad Street.
- Planning Commission minutes, March 4, 2024Franconia Township · Mar 4, 2024Describes the roughly 17,000 sq ft addition replacing modular classrooms, with no expected enrollment growth and a sign variance request.
- Souderton school board awards West Broad Street ES project bids, reorganizesBucks County HeraldReports that the school board awarded bids for the West Broad Street project.
Planning terms explained
- Land development
- A township review of plans for building or expanding on a property, covering things like layout, drainage and access.
- Conditional approval
- Approval that depends on the applicant meeting specific listed requirements.
- Special exception
- Permission for a use or change that zoning allows only if certain standards are met.
- Variance
- An approved exception to a zoning rule, such as one on sign size or lighting.
- Institutional zoning
- A zoning category meant for schools and similar public or community uses.
Researched by AI from public sources on Nov 1, 2026. It can make mistakes, so check the linked sources and the municipality before relying on it.
Scope estimate for contractors
Estimated construction value: $6.0M
- ~85 roofing squares (assumes 2 stories)
- ~42 tons of cooling (rule of thumb 400 sq ft/ton)
- ~3.5 acres of site work (grading, stormwater, landscaping)
- Associated site infrastructure
- Sidewalk extension along West Broad Street
- Crosswalk and raised crossing improvements at driveway
- Trail access connection on property edge
Contractor or supplier? Get projects like this in the counties you work, by email. Join contractor early access →