Montgomery County · Upper Merion · MCPC #24-0199-001
870 River Road
870 River Road, Upper Merion, PA · 18 homes, townhomes / twins · 3.55 acres
About this project
The county review letter has not been processed yet.
Filing history
- 2024-09-16 · MCPC #24-0199-001 · Land Dev Plan, SubDiv Plan, Prelim Plan · 18 homes
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
The project at 870 River Road in Upper Merion would put 18 townhome-style homes on about 3.55 acres. Township planning records describe them as single-family semi-attached homes, meaning each home shares a wall with a neighbor. The site is in the township's R-3 residential zoning district.
The site has been reviewed before. In late 2022 the township planning commission discussed combining 870 River Road with the neighboring 800 River Road lot. The applicant also asked for waivers from some township rules, including ones for a traffic study and for building on steep slopes. In 2023 the township supervisors heard plans to merge the two lots. The 18-unit plan was on the planning commission's October 23, 2024 agenda.
No news coverage, developer website or approval decision was found. The records do not say who would build or occupy the homes.
What it could mean nearby
- Eighteen new households would add some traffic on River Road. The records seen do not include a traffic study.
- The waiver requests for steep slopes suggest the site has sloped ground, so stormwater and grading may be reviewed closely.
- The homes would add modestly to local housing supply and to enrollment in the Upper Merion Area School District.
Where it stands
The plan was before the township planning commission in October 2024 as a land development application. The outcome was not found. Next come planning commission and township supervisors' review, then possible conditional approval and final plan approval before permits.
- Oct 23, 2024 Planning commission agenda listed the 18-unit land development application
- Sep 16, 2024 Latest county planning filing
- Apr 13, 2023 Township supervisors' workshop heard plans to merge the 800 and 870 River Road lots
- Dec 14, 2022 Planning commission discussed the lot consolidation and waiver requests for 800 and 870 River Road
Want to weigh in? The Upper Merion planning commission and Board of Supervisors review land development plans at public meetings, and residents can comment there. Agendas are posted on the township website.
Around the web
- 10 23 2024 PC AgendaUpper Merion Township · Oct 23, 2024Lists the 870 River Road land development application for 18 semi-attached homes in the R-3 district.
- 12 14 2022 PC MinutesUpper Merion Township · Dec 14, 2022Records the earlier lot consolidation discussion for 800 and 870 River Road and the waiver requests.
- 04 13 2023 BOS Workshop MinutesUpper Merion Township · Apr 13, 2023Shows the supervisors heard plans to merge the two River Road properties.
Planning terms explained
- Land development
- The township's formal review of a site plan for new buildings, roads, drainage and utilities.
- Semi-attached
- Homes that share one wall with a neighboring home.
- R-3 zoning district
- A residential zone in the township's code that sets which housing types and densities are allowed.
- Waiver
- A request to be excused from a specific township rule, such as a traffic study requirement.
- Lot consolidation
- Merging two or more parcels into one.
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: $6.7M
- ~252 roofing squares
- ~18 HVAC systems
- ~18 kitchens / 36+ bathrooms
- ~36,000 sq ft of finished living space
- ~3.5 acres of site work (grading, stormwater, landscaping)
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