Blue Bell Senior Residence

About this project

Blue Bell Senior Residence, LLC is proposing a 56-unit community of income-restricted apartments for age-qualified independent seniors on a 3.32-acre site at 953 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, just south of Skippack Pike in Whitpain Township. The buildings are two stories. The county planning commission generally supports the plan but asked the applicant to address several comments before final approval.

County planning commission: Supports, with comments

Issues raised: Highway Occupancy Permit needed for driveway change on Skippack Pike (PA-73), Recommended pedestrian connection from the rear emergency access easement to the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, Parking variance: 38 spaces provided vs. 140 required, Density variance: 19 units per acre vs. 8 allowed, Multiple engineering waivers for grading, storm pipe size, and plan content

Applicant

Blue Bell Senior Residence, LLC

Zoning

Commercial

Approvals needed

variance from density limit (19 units per developable acre allowed where 8 is the maximum), variance to allow 38 off-street parking spaces where 140 are required, variance to allow reinforced-turf emergency access in place of a permanent screen and buffer, waiver from grading setback requirement within 5 feet of the property line, waiver from minimum grade slope away from buildings, waiver from minimum 18-inch storm pipe diameter, waiver from required site plan details on adjacent streets, owners, and features within 400 feet, waiver from requirement for separate preliminary and final plans, Highway Occupancy Permit from PennDOT for the driveway change on PA-73