Final plans for senior apartments approved

Representatives of Roizman Development Inc. came before borough council Oct. 24 to ask for final approval for a final land development agreement regarding a forthcoming age-restricted apartment complex at 610 Summit Ave.

Council voted unanimously in favor of approving the agreement. Officials said the next hurdle for council and Roizman will be the preparation of agreements, though that evening represented the last meeting between the two entities. Should all go well, the developer hopes to break ground by next spring.

“Now that the land development is solidified, Roizman needs to provide financial agreement for escrows, and he still needs sewer approval through the Department of

Environmental Protection,” Borough Manager George Locke said. “He’s also working on his demolition permit, and we expect that pretty soon.”

Concerns anticipated by council included a traffic increase after the apartment complex opens its doors.

“Once the building is occupied, we’d like to commission a traffic study,” council President Deborra Sines-Pancoe said. “We’re concerned about the intersection of York Road and Summit Avenue.”

Traffic engineers on behalf of the borough and Roizman Development currently estimate 30 trips during peak traffic hours at the York Road and Summit Avenue intersection. The trips estimate includes “both in and out of the apartment complex,” Locke said.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation caps the intersection’s allowable trips at 100.

“If the numbers exceed PennDOT’s criteria, Roizman has agreed to perform an official traffic study within six months of the building’s occupation,” Locke said. “That said, the estimates are well below what would necessitate PennDOT having to do that.”

The building, which was previously owned by Salem Baptist Church, was scheduled to go to settlement on Oct. 31, officials said.

“There are a lot of steps remaining,” Sines-Pancoe said.

In other matters, the Jenkintown Community Alliance, a volunteerdriven nonprofit organization, proposed the year-round illumination of five trees in the town square.

“The JCA has made a community-minded donation. I think it’s a lovely way to contribute to the community,” council member Kieran Ferrell said. “They want the lights installed prior to Thanksgiving. The lights will match the existing Christmas decorations.”

Council accepted the proposal, with the lights’ hours of operations to be decided.