Earlier this spring developers came back to the Borough looking to place a new order for the former Burger King property. The original plan, which called for 128 apartments to be built at the High St. site, has been tied up in litigation since it was approved in late 2023. So in April, developers submitted plans for what they are calling “410 South High Street Development II.” After allowing time for Borough and County experts and engineers to review, the interested parties gathered this week at the Planning Commission Voting Session to discuss.
Architectural renderings: Bernardon.
While developers see their plans as a departure from the original proposal, many of the same hurdles, namely building height and parking, seem to apply.
What we know about the two plans.
Original –
- 128 residential apartments
- 122 spaces (plus 27 bonus spaces)/ .95 space/unit not including bonus spaces
- Two courtyards totaling: 7600 SF
- Proposed plaza/public space: 2910 SF
New –
- 139 residential apartments
- 139 parking spots (plus 36 bonus spaces)/1 space/unit not including bonus spots
- Two courtyards totaling: 7600 SF
- Proposed plaza/public space: 2910 SF
In addition to increasing the available parking slightly, developers also made minor adjustments at the corner of High and Dean St. to better meet set-back requirements, set back upper-level apartments by around 50’ to help disguise the bulk of the building, and added more amenities – trees, planters, and movable seating – to the proposed “plaza public space.”
During the three-hour meeting, Planning Commission members and others reiterated their concerns over the building’s height calculations and its provided parking, which is viewed as insufficient to meet demand. The building’s design was also debated, particularly the decision to provide for a single residential entrance. Located at the corner of High and Dean Sts., the entrance is not exactly convenient for those coming from the south. It also leaves a public plaza with no place to go. It was a point that was raised at Tuesday’s meeting.
After hours of discussion, no decision was made on the plan. Unless developers ask for an extension, the Planning Commission will need to issue a decision next month.
Originally published on Aug. 2, 2024
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