Zoning and Ordinances
Understanding Zoning - Updated 9.9.18.
Wyndmoor Zoning
Most current zoning map I could find
The Medinger House was located in a AA zone, which must abide by the following zoning requirements, notably:
| Requirement | AA zoned |
|---|---|
| Minimum lot area (square feet per family) | 25,000 |
| Maximum building area (% of lot area) | 15% |
| Front yard or setback | 50 ft. |
| Side yards - Single-family detached dwelling | |
| Minimum width of 1 yard | 15 ft. |
| Minimum total width of both yards | 50 ft. |
| Rear yard | |
| Minimum depth | 25 ft. |
| Lots less than 100 feet deep | 15 ft. |
The developer will no doubt ask for relief/variances, particularly from the maximum building area (% of lot) to create a bigger house. We will see whether the commissioners approve these requests.
Retrieving Public Parcel information
Click here to access the Montgomery County Property Records. Enter ‘8600’ in the ‘Number’ box, ignore the direction box, and enter ‘Montgomery’ in the ‘Street’ box. Now click search. On the left you will see a breakdown of information. Try clicking on the ‘Map’ button to bring up a GIS survey map. If you recall above, the maximum size allowed for a AA lot is 15%.
Some quick math (updated!) :
Note: An individual in the industry pointed out that my calculation for maximum square footage is only for the footprint of the building, and could be much greater depending on how many floors the developer builds.
4534.5 SF is the maximum size (updated) house FOOTPRINT that our Zoning Ordinance allows.
A 4534.5 SF footprint would mean a 3 story house would be ~13603.5 SF total.
Keep this in mind as this process moves along.
What happened to the 2025 plan?
In 2012, Springfield Township published the “Comprehensive Plan Update: A Vision for 2025” - Ward Leader and Comissioner President Jeff Harbison is credited as a contributor to this document.
The plan includes a section on Historic and Cultural Resources (Chapter 6) which lists several houses in Wyndmoor as Locally Significant including Poe House; “Ropsley” house & gardens (now rebuilt due to fire) at 8700 Montgomery Avenue and the Keystone House; John Welsh House at 8765 Stenton Avenue. Listed under Historic Resource Protection Goals is:
“Identify, preserve, protect, enhance, and encourage continued utilization and rehabilitation of such areas, districts, places, buildings, structures, works of art, and other objects having a special historical, community, architectural, or aesthetic interest or value to the township and its citizens.”"
One could argue that the Medinger House was culturally valuable to the neighboorhood. Reader, again you are reminded that Alpha Real Estate Development was granted a permit for an Addition. Alpha Real Estate Development has nearly torn the whole house down. Will the developer face any consequences for this abuse? We will see.
Continuing with the 2025 Plan, Chapter 7 specifically lays out the goal of preservation:
“Housing Goals: 1) Preserve the character and integrity of neighborhoods that give the township its distinctive character.”
What effort has the township made to preserve the character and integrity of 8600 Montgomery Ave? These are questions that should be brought up with Commission President and Ward Leader Jeff Harbison and Rob Dunlop the Code Enforcement Officer.